Call for papers--Naqada and Qus heritage

Call for papers

"The International Conference in Naqada and Qus region's heritage"
January 22-28, 2007

ICOM-CC-Wood, Furniture and Lacquer and the Diocese of Naqada and
Qus are pleased to announce an international conference:

    Naqada and Qus - Past and Present: History, Geography,
    Conservation, Preservation, Industries

The Preliminary suggested venue for the conference is the Centre of
the Archangel Michael Monastery in Naqada, located approximately 25
kilometres north of Luxor, Egypt.

Naqada is situated on the west bank of the Nile north of Luxor, and
stood opposite the entrance to the Wadi Hammamat providing direct
access to the Red Sea coast and the gold reserves of the eastern
desert. Thus Naqada was a prime centre of Predynastic gold trade in
the Theben region. The importance of archaeological finds in Naqada
has resulted in its name lending itself to the pre-pharaonic periods
between 3800-3100 BC, and is called Naqada I, II and III. The large
quantity of finds from Naqada has enabled the dating of the entire
culture, throughout Egypt and environs. Naqada maintained its
importance throughout the pharaonic period and into the late
antiquity period, during which it became inhabited by famous
anchorites such as Elias of Mount Bishwaw and Samuel of Mount
Banhadab. On the other side of the Nile from Naqada is Qus. It too
was important as an entrance to the Wadi Hammamat. During medieval
times Qus became the primary commercial centre of trade with Africa,
and hence was a town of prime importance in Egypt during this
period. Today, Qus is the site of a major US/German commercial
project to convert the waste products of sugar cane refining into
paper products.

We invite papers reflecting research that deal with the history and
society of Naqada and Qus, its geography, its archaeology and
associated scientific methods and conservation programs, its art and
architecture, its literature, and its industries. Papers may deal
with any time period from Pre-Historic and Early Dynastic through to
the present time, with comparative studies with similar regions,
areas, sites, monuments, cases from Egypt and from around the world
in the conference themes and items.

In particular, we propose to focus on the following topics (we also
welcome any other related topics):

    Geology, geography and urbanisation: with a focus on
    environmental issues and associated problems with conservation
    of monuments etc.

    Sacred Space: from pre-historic, through the early dynastic,
    pharaonic period, the Greco-Roman era, the late antique
    Christian period, the Islamic, and to the present time:
    religious and political frameworks and traditions, religious
    centres and associated building materials/styles; political and
    religious networks etc. This topic may also include prominent
    figures throughout history from the region.

    Identities: the cultural identity of this region in comparison
    to other parts of Egypt from Early Dynastic through to the
    present, with an emphasis on craft traditions and perceptions:
    wood, textiles/costume, architecture, pottery, art and other
    archaeological artefacts. Industries past and present.

    Intellectual Landscapes: Visual and oral artistic interaction
    within the region and beyond: with an emphasis on art, music,
    dialects and literature and linguistics.

    Archaeological issues: with a focus on the effect of increasing
    urbanisation, methods of conservation, restoration and
    preservation of monuments and antiquities, future field-work and
    scientific methods, legal and ethical issues surrounding the
    conservation of heritage sites and associated ownership.
    Implications of the development of tourism in the region.

Abstracts should be 500 words, and submitted in Microsoft Word, by
email to hhnnc [at] yahoo__com with the subject marked "An Abstract for
the Naqada and Qus Conference.

Please include name, title, institution, contact information,
abstract, preferred language for presentation (either English or
Arabic) and any projection needs (slides, electronic projection,
overheads, etc.).

Conference languages will be English and Arabic. Based on numbers,
simultaneous translation will be considered.

All abstracts should be submitted by July 1, 2006.  All Arabic
abstracts must be accompanied by an English translation.

In addition to papers, we also welcome contributions in the form of
poster-presentations.

The authors of the accepted abstracts will be notified and receive a
copy of instruction to authors by July 15, 2006.

Proceedings will be published after peer review. Authors will be
requested to submit their final paper for publication in the
conference proceedings. The full papers should be sent by October 1,
2006.

The conference will be combined with a trade-fair and an artistic
exhibitions for artists, iconographers, conservation and restoration
companies, materials and supplies companies, bookshops and other
relevant organisations.

If you wish to contribute to this exhibition, please forward your
proposal by email no later than July 15, 2006 to hhnnc [at] yahoo__com
with the subject marked "A Proposal for the Naqada and Qus
Exhibition.

Regarding the artistic exhibitions: please provide together with an
abstract of no more than 500 words, a soft-copy of the work/s you
wish to exhibit with dimensions and high quality colour photos
(about 10x15 cm), in JPEG format, (quality = min. 300 dpi
resolution).

Regarding the trade fair: please provide an abstract of no more than
500 words describing the activities you wish to exhibit and the
required equipments, supplies, furnishings and the space needed.

Registration for the conference will be open from August 15, 2006.
Further particulars regarding registration will be posted later on.

If you have any enquiries or need further information, please feel
free to contact the conference chair:

    Dr. Hany Hanna
    Elected Coordinator, ICOM-CC-Wood, Furniture and Lacquer
    General Director, Department of conservation
    Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Egypt
    Professor, Institute for Coptic Studies in Cairo
    Fax: +20 2 4251411
    Fax: +20 2 4109687
    hhnnc [at] yahoo__com


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:55
                  Distributed: Saturday, May 13, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-55-009
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