CALLS FOR PAPERS: ASOR Workshop: Pigments, Paints and Polychromies in
the Ancient Near Eastern Context

Pigments, Paints and Polychromies in the Ancient Near Eastern Context
American Schools of Oriental Research, Annual Meeting, Workshop
San Diego, CA, Westin Hotel, November 19-22, 2014

Workshop Organizers:
Laura D’Alessandro (Head Conservator, Oriental Institute, Chicago)
Alexander Nagel (Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural
History, Department of Anthropology, Washington DC)

With sophisticated and increased technology, documenting and
investigating aspects of paint and polychromy of ancient near eastern
art has advanced greatly in recent years. The means to understand the
process of paint application have greatly improved, not only through
the contribution of analytic methods of the natural sciences, but also
by increased interest in experimental photography, imaging techniques,
pigment analysis, all of which provide a much broader spectrum in
looking at the interface between technology, history, archaeology and
cultural studies. Until recently, however, the general significance
of polychromy in ancient near eastern art has generally been
overlooked and published discussions of distinct technologies, the
paint processes and raw materials are still missing. Developments in
the sciences and technologies, including new photographic and imaging
techniques, geochemistry as well as new modes in interpreting ancient
polychromy have provided the means to base these debates on more
secure grounds. Growing interest in polychromy and paint archaeology
has accelerated the study of sites, monuments and single artifacts.

In this workshop, professionals from Conservation Science,
Archaeology, Anthropology and other disciplines working on aspects of
the role, technology and preservation of polychromy and color in
ancient near eastern art. The focus will be on documenting remaining
traces of paint and other surface finishes in architectural sculpture
and other materials. Interested speakers will need to submit a title
and abstract (max. 200 words) at the link provided
[www.asor.org] by February 15, 2014.
Please send inquiries or questions to Alexander Nagel (nagela@si.edu).