Training Reporton
Cultural Heritage Protection
Training Course for Researchers in Charge of Cultural Heritage Protectionin Asia and Pacific 2013 - Bangladesh 5 November- 28 November, 2013, Nara, Japan

Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties

Edited and Published by
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)
Nara Prefecture Nara General Office First Floor
757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)742-20-5001
Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701
e-mail: nara@accu.or.jp
URL: http://www.nara.accu.or.jp
Printed by KyodoseihanⒸ Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) 2014

Opening Ceremony at ACCU Nara officeMeasured drawing of sueki (earthenware)Practical training for excavation method（detecting the surface of remains）

At Nara Palace Site

A lecture at Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center

Practical training of photography (at Nara Palece Site)

Mr Nakamura explained how to carry out studio (indoor) photography

A lecture on salt weathering test (at NNRICP)

Preparetion of salt weathering test by participantsMuseum tour using iPad (Osaka Museum of History)

Observation of salt weathering at Motomachi Stone Buddhas(the white part shows salt crystallisation)

At exhibition hall of Kanenokuma excavation site

A lecture by Mr Hisa (left) at Korokan Historical Museum

A lecture by Mr Imazu at Kyushu National Museum

Observation of X-Ray CT equipment

At Kyushu National Museum

Measured drawing of stone toolPreface
The Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO(ACCU Nara) was established in August 1999 with the purpose of serving as a domestic centre
for promoting cooperation in cultural heritage protection in the Asia- Pacific region. Subsequent
to its establishment, our office has been implementing a variety of programmes to help promotecultural heritage protection activities, in close cooperation with the Agency for Cultural Affairs,
Japan (Bunkacho); National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, National Research Institute for Cultural
Properties, Nara; the Nara Prefectural Government; the Nara Municipal Government; universities; andmuseums.
The ACCU Nara’s activities encompass training programmes for the human resources development;international conferences and seminars; the website for the dissemination of information relating tocultural heritage protection; and the world heritage lectures in local high schools. In addition to those,
ACCU Nara offers “Local Training Workshop” which dispatches a group of lecturers from Japan toone of Asia-Pacific countries and implements the practical training on cultural heritage protection onsites. Besides, we annually appoint “International Correspondent” from each country for the purposeof establishing closer ties with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, who will periodically sendlatest reports on cultural heritage protection in their country.
Our office has been conducting two types of the training course in Nara: for the group and for theindividuals. The Group Training Course offers the opportunity to sixteen experts from Asia-Pacificregion for about one month with two themes in alternate years: “Preservation and Restoration of
Wooden Structures” and “Research, Analysis, and Preservation of Archaeological Sites and Remains.”
Meanwhile, the Individual Training Course is organised for a few experts from one country on thespecific theme according to their requests.
In Bangladesh, there are a number of various remains and sites related to ancient Buddhism, medieval
Islam, and also Hinduism. However, these remains and sites are exposed to the danger of natural
disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and so on, as well as facing with inadequate conservationand management system due to a lack of awareness by the local community. With this situation inmind, and at the request from the Department of Archaeology, ACCU Nara has decided to offer a
training course as with the aim of introducing a broad knowledge and techniques of documentation,
management and utilisation of remains and artefacts.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan (Bunkacho);
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties; Nara National Museum; Ikaruga Cultural
Property Centre; Nara Prefectural Board of Education; Nara Municipal Board of Education; Osaka
Museum of History; Kyushu National Museum; Oita Municipality, Fukuoka Municipal Government
for their cooperation and support.

NISHIMURA Yasushi
Director
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office
Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)Contents		PrefaceI.

Introduction
1. General Information… ………………………………………………

3

2. Programme Schedule…………………………………………………

5

II.

Summary of Training Course… ……………………………………

9

III.

Country Reports by Participants… ……………………………… 33

IV.

Final Reports by Participants… …………………………………… 57

V.

Appendix
1. List of Participants…………………………………………………… 85
2. Lecturers and Interpreters…………………………………………… 86
3. Staff Members, ACCU Nara………………………………………… 88

Introduction

I.

Introduction
1. General Information
2. Programme ScheduleFive-story Pagoda at Horyu-ji Temple

1. General Information
1. Organisers
The course is jointly organised by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan (Bunkacho); Asia-Pacific
Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU); and National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Nara National
Research Institute for Cultural Properties.

2. Background
People’s Republic of Bangladesh has two world heritage sites inscribed as a cultural property called“Mosque City of Bagerhat,” founded in the early 15th century, and “Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at
Paharpur” in the 8th to 9th century, and also a site inscribed as a natural property, “Sundarbans,” which
is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. Furthermore, there are numerous archaeologicalsites related to Ancient Buddhist sites, Islamic monuments in the Middle Ages and Hindu sites.
However, the restoration and conservation for these sites and remains are not fully implemented dueto the natural disasters such as flood and earthquake, and also because of the lack of awareness by
the local residents. In addition to this, the lack of human resources concerning the conservation andmaintenance projects has been addressed.
Based on this current status and in response to a request from Department of Archaeology of
Bangladesh, ACCU Nara has decided to invite professionals into the individual training course aspart of development of human resources so that they will obtain the knowledge and techniques ofmethodology of documentation, maintenance, and utilisation of archaeological sites and artefacts.

3. Date and Venues
Date: 5 November (Tue.) to 28 November (Thur.) 2013. [24 days]
Venues: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO(ACCU Nara), and other facilities and museums of cooperating organisations.

4. Objective of the Training Course
A sequence of the individual training course aims at mainly providing participants with the basic
knowledge and practical techniques for recording/documentation (measured drawing, actual
measurement, photography) of archaeological sites (remains and artefacts), methodology ofconservation, museum exhibition and storage system, and so on.

5. Training Curriculum-

Recording/Documentation of Remains and Artefacts (Overview)-

Recording/Documentation of Sites (Measured Drawing, Actual Measurement, Photography)-

Recording/Documentation of Artefacts (Actual Measurement, Photography)-

Maintenance and Utilisation of Sites and Remains (Overview, On-site Training)3

6. Participants
Md. Ataur Rahman (Dr)Regional Director

Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Date of Birth: 23 September 1975 (Age 38)
Mohammad Golam Fardaush (Mr)
Field Officer

Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Date of Birth: 2 June 1977 (Age 36)
Khandokar Mahfuz Alam (Mr)Assistant Architect

Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Date of Birth: 5 December 1981 (Age 32)

7. Process of Invitation
People’s Republic of Bangladesh recommended three applicants suitable for the above mentioned
invitation programme as participants. Then ACCU Nara Office has determined to invite three
applicants as participants through close examination.

8. Others (Past achievement to accept participants)
Since 2000 when the above-mentioned invitation programme started, 49 participants from 16 countries
have been accepted.

9. Certificate
Each participant will be awarded a certificate upon the completion of the course.

10. Language
Bengali is the main working languages of the course.

11. Expenses
Expenses for the training course will be borne by ACCU and comprise the following:(1) Travel expenses:
Each participant will be provided an economy-class return air ticket between the international airport
nearest to their residence and Kansai International Airport (KIX), and domestic transportation costs
between KIX and their accommodations in Nara.
(2) Living expenses:
Participants will be provided daily subsistence allowances during the training course, beginning from 5
November (Tue.) to 28 November (Thur.) 2013. Arrangements and payment for accommodations will
be made by ACCU Nara.

4

12. Secretariat
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)
Nara Pref. Nara General Office, 757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 JAPAN
Tel: +81-742-20-5001 Fax: +81-742-20-5701 e-mail: nara@accu.or.jp

2. Schedule

Individual Training Course Schedule 2013 (5 November - 28 November)Date
9:30-12:30
5 Tue.. Opening Ceremony (10:30~)

13:30-16:30
Guidance to the Programme

Lecturer
ACCU Nara

6 Wed.

On-site Training: World Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the HoryuHIRATA Masahikoji Area

7 Thur.

Practical Training: Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Actual
Mesurement I: Stone Tool)

8 Fri.

SHODA Shinya,
Documentation and Survey of Inventory and Management System
ISHIMURA Tomo,
Archaeological Remainsof Archaeological Remains
AOKI Takashi

SHIBA Kojiro

Venue
ACCU Nara
Horyu-ji Temple,
Ikaruga Cultural
Property Center
NNRICP
NNRICP
Yakushi-ji Temple

9 Sat.
10 Sun.
11 Mon. Museum Exhibition in Practice

Practical Training:
Museum Exhibition in Practice

12 Tue. Designation of Archaeological Remains and Protection System

NAKAGAWA Aya,WATANABE Junko
NAKAJIMA
Yoshiharu

Practical Training:
NAKAMURA Ichiro
Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Photography)
Practical Training: Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Actual
JINNO Megumi
14 Thur.
Measurement II: Earthenware)On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains and
MAMETANI
15 Fri.
Museum Institutions
Hiroyuki
16 Sat.
17 Sun.
18 Mon. Conservation Science of Archaeological Remains I
WAKIYA Soichiro

13 Wed.

NNRICP
NNRICP
NNRICP
NNRICP

November

Osaka Museum ofHistory

NNRICP
Kyushu National
19 Tue. On-site Training: Museum Institutions in Practice
IMAZU Setsuo
Museum
Sekibutsu,
On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in
KAWANO Shiro
20 Wed.
Motomachi, Oita City
Practice I
Kanenokuma
HISA Yoichiro,
Museum
On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in
MIZUNO Tetsuo,
21 Thur.
Korokan Historical
Practice II
SUGANAMI Masato
Museum22 Fri. On-site Training: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
ACCU Nara
Kyoto City
23 Sat.
24 Sun.
NOJIRI Tadashi,
Nara National
25 Mon. On-site Training: Exhibition of Buddhist Art in Practice
TANIGUCHI Kosei,
MuseumONISHI Seiji
26 Tue. Conservation Science of Archaeological Remains II
WAKIYA Soichiro
NNRICP
27 Wed. Writing Final Reports
28 Thur. Submission of Final Reports
Closing Ceremony
ACCU Nara
ACCU Nara: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCONNRICP: Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties

5

With the packaged artefacts after the practical training

Summary ofTraining Course

II. Summary of Training Course

Summary of Training Course
5 November (Tue.)

Opening Ceremony/Guidance to the Programme

In the afternoon, the training course for Bangladesh was started by the opening ceremony. Mr
Nishimura, Director of ACCU Nara, welcomed the participants with the words of encouragement.
He shared his hope that the participants would enjoy learning the archaeology as well as the cultureof Japan. Since the training course includes a study tour to Kyushu region, he encouraged them toexperience not only the culture of Nara, but also that of Kyushu. During self-introduction, Mr Ataur
Rahman showed his gratitude of this special invitation from himself as well as from the head of his
department. Mr Golam Fardaush also mentioned how special it was to be able to be in Nara for thistraining course. Mr Mahfuz appreciated a Bengali interpreter, saying that this would allow themto fully understand what is said and done in Japanese. All three participants were eager to absorb

Opening Ceremony

Message from Mr Nishimura, Director of ACCU Nara

the knowledge and techniques to bring back and share with the colleagues and junior fellows in
Bangladesh.
After the ceremony, the participants listened to the explanation by ACCU staff about Nara and the brief
overview of this whole programme. They looked excited and keen to encounter new things in a very
different culture from their own.
6 November (Wed.)

On-site Training: World Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
HIRATA Masahiko (Ikaruga Town Board of Education)[Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center]- After having heard an overview from the lecturer about the Fujinoki Tumulus and the historicalbackground of the Ikaruga region, the participants watched an explanatory video (in English) about
the Fujinoki Tumulus in the video room.
- Tour of the exhibition room. The barrier-free exhibition room enables wheelchair-bound viewers towatch the exhibit right in front of them. The participants showed interest in the make-up of cases,
lighting fixtures and lighting methods.

9Fujinoki Tumulus

A lecture on burial accessories at Fujinoki Tumulus by Mr Hirata- Following this, participants visited the Fujinoki tumulus site. After touring the stone chamber, theyreceived an explanation about maintenance/management from the lecturer.
[Horyu-ji Temple]

At Horyu-ji Temple- Touring the precincts under the guidance of a volunteer guide
Great South Gate – Central Gate – Saien-do Hall – Western
Precinct (Five-story Pagoda, Main Hall, Lecture Hall) –Daihozo-in (Great Treasure Gallery) – Eastern Precinct (Hallof Vision, Shariden Hall, Eden Hall)[Hoki-ji Temple]- The participants looked closely at the actual traditional repair
methods of Japan (such as joint, wood plugging, etc. by using theoriginal materials as much as possible) at the three-story pagoda.

10

Hoki-ji Temple

7 November (Thur.)Practical Training: Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Actual Measurement I:
Stone Tool)
SHIBA Kojiro (NNRICP)- After having explained the outline of actual measurement (difference between actual measurement
methods, depending on materials such as clay, wood, metal, stone, etc.), the lecturer familiarised theparticipants with the actual measurement method of stone tools.
- The lecturer gave a step-by-step explanation (e.g. placement of stone tool, key points of actual
measurement such as establishing head-tail or front-back, with a graphic representation, so that theparticipants could understand the stone tool manufacturing process). After the demonstration, eachparticipant carried out some actual measurements.

A lecture by Mr Shiba (at NNRICP)

Mesured drawing of stone tool

- In the afternoon, after an explanation of the reason that “fisher” and “ring” are produced by usingdrawings to explain the method of representation, the lesson on actual measurement resumed. The
participants worked continuously on the shape of the lateral side.
- The back was inversed by using a tracing paper, in order to draw profile lines.
- An explanation was provided of the principles of locating a target cross section to draw.
- When the drawings were finished, an explanation was made of filling notes, etc. before thecompletion of the class.
8 November (Fri.)

Documentation and Survey of Archaeological Remains
SHODA Shinya, ISHIMURA Tomo (NNRICP)- At an excavation site, Mr Shoda gave a lecture on the outline of the survey and research methods,
stating that generally, at excavation sites, experts/professionals of archaeology, architecture, andhistory work as a team to comprehensively proceed with survey research, and that excavation
was carried out while surmising the extended archaeological remains based on the artefacts/
archaeological remains found in the past.
- The participants took a field trip to the precincts of Yakushi-ji Temple under the conduct of Mr
Ishimura, who held a briefing about the current state of restoration of the East Pagoda as well asreconstructed buildings.

11

A lecture by Mr Shoda at Yakushi-ji Temple- As practical training in structural-remains excavation, the participants learned how to contain
unearthed artefacts in containers with numerical labels. In addition, they worked on operations toobserve the color and properties of the soil in order to detect archaeological remains. The participantscommented that they were greatly satisfied that they could actually experience an excavation on site.
Inventory and Management System of Archaeological Remains
AOKI Takashi (NNRICP)- The participants had a lecture on the sort-out of the artefacts brought in from an excavation site.
Before being brought in, artefacts including earthenware, stone artefacts, roof tiles, etc. were sortedout depending on the stock rooms to contain them. Earthenware was cleaned and dried first, and thenimportant artefacts were selected. For storage, information was entered on a card which was storedwith the artefacts.
- After having provided an explanation of a sequence of working process through a PowerPoint
presentation, the lecturer explained the storage method, while showing real artefacts. At the

A lecture by Mr Aoki at NNRICP

12

earthenware store room, the lecturer showed the fixed lockers in preparation for earthquakes as wellas the storage method for important artefacts.
11 November (Mon.)Museum Exhibition in Practice
NAKAGAWA Aya (NNRICP)- Ms Nakagawa explained the outline of the exhibition of the Nara Palace Site Museum remodeled in2010. The Nara Palace Site Museum is located within a historic site with the illuminating purpose
to present the ancient Nara Capital. The museum organises special exhibitions twice a year, throughwhich real artefacts that cannot normally be seen are displayed.
- After being remodeled, the Museum has consciously made participatory displays for visitors,
including hands-on exhibits other than the displays of artefacts. The lecturer commented that
although this type of exhibit enjoys popularity among children, and that the exhibition should haveeffective displays based upon exchanges of opinion between researchers and visitors.
- The participants exchanged opinions of methods of display with the lecturer, and commented that in
Bangladesh, too, researchers support visitors.

A lecture by Ms Nakagawa

Practical training of exhibition method

Practical training of packaging artefacts

13

Practical Training: Museum Exhibition in Practice
WATANABE Junko (NNRICP)- After a briefing about display articles, practical training for the preparation of the displays of wooden
tablets as well as for the packing of display articles was conducted at the Nara Palace Site Museum.
The participants learned a method of packing to protect fragile parts of an article by winding a buffermaterial around the narrow part of a large jar, and carefully wrapped the handles too with the buffermaterial as packing practice.
- This practice was very much appreciated by the participants, and they remarked that the experience,
through which they could undertake actual displaying work, was practical and significant for them.
12 November (Tue.)

Designation of Archaeological Remains and Protection System
NAKAJIMA Yoshiharu (NNRICP)[Briefing about Japan’s cultural-property administration]- Explanation of the organisations of the Agency for Cultural Affairs: There is a Council, under which
there are five Committees (including arts/crafts, buildings, etc.). Each Committee should hear theopinions of experts with regard to designation, protection, etc. Although the state budget for culture
or cultural properties is increasing slightly, the budgets of local governments continue to decrease.
- Protection of Cultural Properties: An explanation was provided of the types of cultural properties
and, subsequently, that of changes in the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.
Q: Specifically, what do you do for the preservation of traditional techniques?
A: We select people or groups that have the techniques, and protect them. In addition, we strive tofacilitate succession of the techniques.
- The maintenance of the Nara Palace Site, etc., the tour of which was scheduled for that afternoon,
was briefly explained in a PowerPoint presentation.
The briefing included the history of the preservation of the Nara Palace Site, and the history of
the maintenance that represents excavation results. The lecturer especially focused on zoning forWith Mr Nakajima (second from the right）

14

A lecture at the Excavation Site Exhibition Hall

implementing maintenance in conformation to the “Basic Concept of Maintenance of Nara Palace
Site (1978)”, which has become fundamental to the maintenance of the Nara Palace Site, as well as
the mode of representation (improvement methodology).
- In the afternoon, the participants toured the Nara Palace Site to see the actual state of themaintenance/improvement work, visiting a facility which displays an exposed archaeological site (theExcavation Site Exhibition Hall).
- Although the participants saw the display of the exposed archaeological remains and unearthed
artefacts, they showed more interest in the facilities provided for the convenience of visitors, suchas the slope for wheel chairs, lighting, information panels, and further, direction boards, publicdrinking fountains, etc. around the Excavation Site Exhibition Hall.
13 November (Wed.)

Practical Training: Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Photography)
NAKAMURA Ichiro (NNRICP)- To start, the lecturer addressed some questions to the participants about the circumstances of culturalproperty research in Bangladesh, centering on photography (mainly about photo shoots of excavation

Mr Nakamura explained how to carry out studio (indoor) photography

15sites and unearthed artefacts). The participants answered that as they have eight photography experts,
they themselves do not shoot. Then, the lecturer continued that, if a client (archaeologist/researcher)knows photography well, the archeologist can clearly communicate to a photographer about whatkind of photo is needed. The lecturer proceeded with the lecture concerning how photographers
could take photos that further meet the requirement of researchers.
- Looking at the photos of wooden tablets with no shadows shown in the PowerPoint presentation used
for the briefing, a participant inquired about the method of shooting the photographs.
- When photographing an object for the use of academic record retention, don’t use coloredbackground; because the colors of such papers reflect off the object.
- Following the explanation of field photography, the lecturer explained how to carry out studio (indoor)
photography, use of gray scale, RAW data of digital single lens reflex cameras, and the saved data of
JPEG, TIFF, etc.
- The lecturer mentioned that when shooting indoors, a gray card serves as a reference to judge whether
or not the data photographed is the original color of an object, and, that as the color is correctablewith reference to the gray card, the participants should use it by all means.
The lecturer also mentioned that it is not necessary to use the gray card in all photographs. It isespecially useful for indoor photography using artificial lighting; or even for outdoor photography,
because under cloudy skies, the original colors may be muted.

A lecture on outdoor photography

At Nara Palace Site

16

How to adjust digital data- In the afternoon, the participants practiced indoor photography. First, the lecturer explained anddemonstrated the procedure for taking photographs. After that, each participant selected an object,and photographed it for practice.
- After the photography practice, each participant selected a few images from those they took,compensated the colors in conformation to a gray card, readjusted the brightness on a computer, andthen saved it as data.
14 November (Thur.)Practical Training: Recording/Documentation of Artefact (Actual Measurement II:
Earthenware)
JINNO Megumi (NNRICP)- The lecturer discussed the significance and necessity of actual measurements of earthenware, as wellas the necessary tools for actual measurement (e.g. triangle ruler, Mako (a molding device), compass,caliper, divider, etc.).
- The lecturer explained the difference between actual measurement methods for artefacts which haveretained their perfect shape and those that have not, while demonstrating how to use the devices. To

A lecture by Ms Jinno at NNRICP

A lecture on recording artefact using a 3D scanner

Practical training on measured drawing of artefacts

17

measure artefacts that are in perfect shape, the diameter is measured first to determine the center line.
The lecturer also showed how to determine the diameter of the artefacts that are broken by using
tracing paper. Subsequently, the participants practiced the method as demonstrated. Furthermore, thelecturer noted that:- In practice, for contour measurements, it is important to find the points of variation;- Mako (a molding device) is basically a device for confirmation. In order to measure the contour,
priority should be given to the observation of objects with one’s own eyes over the use of the
Mako.
- Actual measurements can include information that does not appear in the photographic recordand 3D scans, etc. Carefully observe the detailed information of the manner of production (e.g.,
rotational direction of potter’s wheel, the scope of a part scraped with a pottery spatula, etc.),
and note it in the record.
- The participants observed the method of recording artefact information using a 3D scanner.
15 November (Fri.)

On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains and Museum Institutions
MAMETANI Hiroyuki (Osaka Museum of History)- The on-site lecture started with a brief PowerPoint presentation about Osaka Museum of History by
the lecturer, Mr Mametani. As he was explaining how this institution had been established and what

A lecture by Mr Mametani

In front of museum with the lecturer

18

Museum tour using a visual device called AR Marker

Remains in the basement of museumthey presented.
- Participants went off for a museum tour, starting from the entrance where they could see the remains
down beneath the floor. An iPad was provided to each of them, which fascinated them with what iscalled AR Marker. This is a great device that helps you visually imagine how it looked in the originalstate. When they take the photo of an AR marker, the original appearance shows up on the screen of
iPad, so that people can feel as if they were standing in the midst of the ancient times. There were
three points where they can get this AR Marker in the museum, and participants enjoyed watching theoriginal site of a warehouse group on western side of Naniwanomiya Palace Site.

Elementary students experiencing excavation activity

A participants (right) having a conversation with anelementary student-In the afternoon, Mr Mametani took them to an excavation site, where about 50 elementary students
were experiencing the excavation during their field trip. This was one of the projects Osaka city had
been doing, so that the students would be exposed to the importance of protection of cultural property
at an early age. Dr Rahman said that the educational usage of museum had just begun in the last
couple of years, so it seemed they had seen the future possibility of wide use of museums.
-In the end, they enjoyed walking through the regular exhibitions of each floor. “It was good thatthe museum had a floor where younger kids can touch the real tools and actually experience the
excavation,” reflected Mr Mahfuz.
18 November (Mon.)

Conservation Science of Archaeological Remains I
WAKIYA Soichiro (NNRICP)- To start, the lecturer asked participants about the problems of archaeological site conservation in
Bangladesh. The participants responded that the problems included salt damage to buildings withkneaded roof tiles, water immersion, luxuriance of plants, etc.
- The lecturer provided an explanation using a PowerPoint presentation, with regard to salt damage in
the archaeological sites of Japan. In Japan, a protective cover building is built, in which the objects
are displayed in the state in which they were excavated. Salt damage can be seen there (A case studyof the Kanenokuma Site in Fukuoka city was introduced.). In addition, stone cliff Buddhas havebeen seriously damaged by salt (A case study of the Motomachi Stone Buddhas in Oita city was
introduced.)19- There are many kinds of salts, and the humidity, temperature, etc., under which the salt is separated
out vary depending on each salt. (i) First of all, analyse the type of the salt to understand its
characteristics; (ii) Carry out an environmental survey. Make a record of the changes (e.g.
temperature, relative humidity, amount of insolation, precipitation, etc. per day/year within an
archaeological site) to understand the environment of the site; (iii) Analyse whether the kneaded roof
tiles or underground water contains salt. When all such information becomes available, effective
countermeasure can be taken. It is critical to comprehend the cause.

A lecture by Mr Wakiya at NNRICP- Discussion about salt damage in Bangladesh was held. The participants reported that in Bangladesh,
salt is separated out all through the year. Salt does not dissolve even it rains, and is precipitatedwithin buildings with kneaded roof tiles. In some buildings which have incurred salt damage in
Bangladesh, the precipitated salt reaches almost four meters high.
- The lecturer suggested that it was highly likely that such phenomenon occurred due to the salt
originally contained in the kneaded roof tiles and which was separated out after becoming wet withrainwater, and was not due to salt in the groundwater. In this case, it may be effective to set up a roof
or the like which prevents contact with rainwater.
- Since salt is separated out via water, restraining water intrusion can prevent salt precipitation.
Especially, a water repellent agent works for artefacts, which do not come into contact with theground, and, consequently, are not affected by groundwater (e.g. outdoor sculpture, etc.), and fromwhich salt is possibly precipitated due to contact with rainwater. Subsequently, the participants
practiced applying a water repellent agent (Wacker 290).
- In addition, an experiment of salt precipitation was conducted. First, three similar stone blocks wereprepared according to the following three methods; (i) the full surface was water-repellent treated;(ii) the upper half was water-repellent treated; and，(iii) one was not water-repellent treated. Then,the lower half of them was immersed in salt water (sodium sulfate). In this case, each stone block
was considered to be an archaeological site, respectively assuming them to be (i) one separablefrom the ground surface, and which can be entirely water-repellent treated; (ii) one the lower half ofwhich is in contact with the ground, and only the upper half of which can be water-repellent treated,
like a building; and, (iii) one which is not treated at all. This experiment shows how the artefacts are20

Experimenting the effect of water repellent

Applying water repellent agent

Experiment of salt weathering

destroyed under the effects of salt. It is planned to report the results in a lecture scheduled for after
the on-site training in the Kyushu district.
19 November (Tue.)

On-site Training: Museum Institutions in Practice
IMAZU Setsuo (Kyushu National Museum)The participants left for Hakata from Shin-Osaka station by Shinkansen and arrived at Hakata at noon.
Then, they visited the Kyushu National Museum.
- The lecturer outlined the analytical instruments belonging to the Kyushu National Museum, whilereferring to a document. The cutting-edge research equipment/materials introduced at this time
included a CT scanner, a portable analytical instrument, papers and cloths, etc. A participant asked
when Japan began to use such analytical instruments.
- The lecturer answered that the analytical instruments were previously installed in a research institutebelonging to the Kyushu National Museum, not at the museum itself. But, after transferring theequipment to the museum, researchers have found it extremely convenient that the equipment iswithin the museum so as to be able to analyse artefacts that are difficult to transfer (e.g. borrowed
artefacts).
- The participants toured the backyard of the museum. The storage room located in the central part of21

A lecture by Mr Imazu on 3D Digitiser and storage system

An explanation of 3D printerIn front of Kyushu National Museum

the museum has a stable environment less subject to the effects of outside air. As the storage room
is a facility not only to store but to protect artefacts, it should preferably be a space with a stableenvironment even in the occurrence of fire, earthquake, troubles of air conditioning system, etc.
- The participants observed the replicas of real artefacts produced by using a 3D printer. Since a replica
can be made in one night, it is available to make replicas (permissible, even if broken) for visitingclasses of primary school children, etc. In addition, in the event that many artefacts are unearthed infolds at a site, it is possible to set some coordinates between them by using the 3D printer to grasp
the entire objects, and to carry out an “indoor excavation.”- The participants toured the craft center for the paper used for the repair of ancient documents, etc.
- The participants observed instruments such as the CT scanner, large-size scanner, etc. They wereinterested in the fact that such instruments were originally developed for and used at medical sites,
and are currently applied to the analysis of cultural properties.
- After touring a base isolation device, the participants saw the special and permanent exhibitions.
In the early evening, the participants left the Kyushu National Museum and moved to Oita city using

22

a minibus taxi.
20 November (Wed.)

On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in Practice I
KAWANO Shiro (Board of Education, Oita Municipal Government)- After paying a courtesy call on the superintendent and the Cultural Properties Division of the
Oita Municipal Board of Education, the participants moved to the Ōtomo-Clan Historical Site
Experimental Museum to listen to a lecture. The lecturer explained the outline of the Motomachi
Stone Buddhas, problems in the conservation of the Stone Buddhas, details of salt damage to date,
the results of salt analysis, the countermeasures taken, and the process after that.
- Salt crystallisation occurs on the surface of the Stone Buddhas when moisture seeping out from thecliff evaporates. To address this problem, in the 1990s, Oita city undertook large-scale engineering
work including a drainage tunnel and catch basin to control the groundwater, followed by applying
surface reinforcing agent. However, salt crystallisation did not cease, and deterioration of the Stone
Buddhas progressed further. Based on the results of salt analyses and environmental research carriedout since 2011 which assumed that the salts accumulated inside the Stone Buddhas over a long periodof time are precipitated in times of low humidity (when the Stone Buddhas dehydrate), at present,

A courtesy visit to superintendent of Board of Education(third from the left)

A lecture at the drainage tunnel

At the Motomachi Stone Buddhas（left: salt crystallisation on the surface of the stone buddhas）

23

A lecture at Takase Stone Buddhas（The shelter was set up for conservation）

At Iwayaji Stone Buddhas

Oita city is trying to remove the salts remaining inside the stones by affixing pulp paper (washi,
Japanese traditional paper) to the surface of the Stone Buddhas to absorb and remove the salt bydegrees.
- To address problems at sites undergoing salt weathering, it is important to carry out salt analyses andenvironmental research.
- After lunch, the participants toured the restoration site of the Motomachi Stone Buddhas, the Iwayaji
Stone Buddhas, and the Takase Stone Buddhas. At the Motomachi Stone Buddhas site, they saw
restoration work, the drainage tunnel, and the catch basin. At the Iwayaji Stone Buddhas site, thelecturer commented that although these stone Buddhas were designated as a prefectural historic site
in the past, the designation was cancelled because the present Stone Buddhas have almost lost their
original form due to salt weathering. Lastly, the participants visited the Takase Stone Buddhas site,that is an example of a successful case study which maintains good conditions by moisture control.
21 November (Thur.)On-site Training: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in Practice II
HISA Yoichiro, SUGANAMI Masato, MIZUNO Tetsuo(Cultural Property Protection Division, Fukuoka Municipal Government)- At the Korokan Historical Museum, the lecturer explained the geographical outline of Fukuoka city
(located close to the Korean Peninsula and China), profile of the Korokan Guest House (the state
guest house of the 7th century), and the exposed display method of the archaeological remains.
- The conditions of the archaeological site are relatively good here except for spots on which lichen
grows thickly. As the excavated state only cannot provide practical visualisation, some parts are
displayed covered by a restored building made of plastic materials so that the archaeological remains
are not damaged.
- The Site of Korokan is still being researched for confirmation even today. At the excavation survey
site, Mr Suganami Masato briefed the participants to the effect that the site is located on the edgeof upland and, upon being unearthed, it was found that the roof tiles and ceramic ware of that time
period had been abandoned in folds.

24

- At the Kanenokuma archaeological site, the tombs of the Yayoi Period (“Kamekanbo,” earthenware
jar-coffin graves of 2000 years ago) are openly displayed (in the excavated state). Although thesite has been maintained in a comparatively good condition for over 20 years, salt weathering is
progressing, and a portion of the earthenware jar-coffins and archaeological remains have beenbroken. Despite applying a reinforcing agent to the surface of the archaeological remains, the agent

A lecture by Mr Hisa at Korokan Historical Museuml

A lecture by Mr Suganami at the excavation site of Korokan

A lecture at Kanenokuma archaeological site (earthenware jar-coffin graves of 2000 years ago)25

has peeled off in places where salt has precipitated, and some archaeological remains have beencrushed to powder.
- The lecturer remarked that although to date, Fukuoka city has not taken any particular protective
measures, it is necessary to carry out environmental research and arrange the environment (controlof humidity/temperature) so that salt is not precipitated.
- A participant showed interest in a large-size earthenware jar-coffin and asked a question about the
production method of the coffin.
22 November (Fri.)

On-site Training: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
KOBAYASHI Ken’ichi (ACCU Nara)

The participants travelled to Kyoto to see Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo-jo Castle, which are part ofWorld Heritage; Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
- At the entrance of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they heard that almost all of the temples and shrines in
Kyoto were reconstructed in the 16th century because of the numerous civil wars during that time.
The participants were noticing the difference in the colourfulness between Niou Gate and temples in
Nara.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Nijo-jo Castle- In the afternoon, the party went to Nijo-jo Castle, which was the place where the last Edo Shogun
returned political power to the emperor. This castle was divided into three areas: the Honmaru (maincircle of defense), the Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the garden of Ninomaru Palace.
The restoration of the first gate before Ninomaru, called Karamon, was just finished this summer.
They also experienced the squeaking floors called “Nightingale floors,” which were used as a security
device at Ninomaru. Walking through the garden, everybody went up to the Honmaru Palace site,
they saw a pleasant view from the top and thought of the view from Honmaru.

2625 November (Mon.)

On-site Training: Exhibition of Buddhist Art in Practice
NOJIRI Tadashi, TANIGUCHI Kosei, ONISHI Seiji (Nara National Museum)- At Nara National Museum, the participants received a lecture from Mr Nojiri about the overview ofthe museum, such as how it was established 120 years ago, the number of collection, and the reason
why the structure of the museum was built in Western style. Dr Rahman was curious about the factthat there were a lot of museum collections entrusted by surrounding temples and shrines and asking
questions about the system.
- Then, the participants went to a different hall and listened to a PowerPoint presentation on the
Buddhist arts from Mr Taniguchi. They learned that there were five categories of museum collections
and also learned the system and the work assigned to the curators. The picture of making Japanese
paper attracted Mr Mahfuz, and he was taking a lot of pictures of it.
- In the afternoon, the participants were taken to one of the exhibition rooms where there was the
special exhibition of Shosoin Treasure House. On that day, there was a group from a maker of themuseum showcase, Glasbau Hahn (Germany), and with an expert from the company, they had a tourof showcases with Mr Onishi. He explained and demonstrated its seismic isolated structure, how to
open and close the showcase, and how to operate humidity control system, and so on. After a few

A lecture by Mr Nojiri

With the lecturer, Mr Taniguchi

At the museum in the middle of taking down the
exhibitions

Explanation on how the showcases can be opened andclosed by remote control

27

questions, they moved around and took pictures of those showcases. Since earthquakes may occur in
Bangladesh, they seemed to be thinking of the importance of preparing for an emergency.
26 November (Tue.)

Conservation Science of Archaeological Remains II
WAKIYA Soichiro (NNRICP)- The participants’ presentation about their observations of the salt damage of the archaeological sites
they visited through the Kyushu on-site training.
- A participant asked why the type of the salts crystallised on the right and left sides of the Motomachi
Stone Buddhas are different. The lecturer replied that on the right-hand side, the salt crystallised athigh humidity is calcium chloride, while on the left-hand side, the salt crystallised in the comparatively
dry environment is sodium sulfate. Depending on the environment, different salts can appear at thesame archaeological site; therefore, the countermeasures should also differ, depending on the type ofsalt.
-They knew that all these objects like stone, soil or kneaded roof tiles are permeable, and the same
phenomenon will appear.
- The lecturer introduced the procedures of the environmental research method for preventing salt
damage as follows:(i) First, analyse the salt contained in the kneaded roof tiles. Immerse the lower half of a kneadedroof tile in fresh water, and leave it in a place that keeps out rain for a few days. After that, if any
salt is crystallised on the surface of the kneaded roof tile, it can be confirmed that the kneadedroof tile contains a salt. Further analyse the confirmed salt by using the X-Ray Diffraction methodin the lab of a university, etc.
(ii) Next, analyse the components dissolved in the groundwater. Bring the groundwater sampled fromaround the archaeological site to the waterworks department or other organisation that has water

Presentation by participants

28

Participants discussing the experimental results of salt weathering

quality testing equipment, in order to analyse the components dissolved in the groundwater.
(iii) Review the type of salt which affects the archaeological site through steps of (i) and (ii).
(iv) The characteristics of salts differ from each other; specifically, those crystallised under thecircumstance of relatively lower humidity (sodium chloride, etc.), those crystallised underrelatively higher humidity (sodium sulfate, etc.), and those crystallised even under low humidity(precipitated in winter). The “Types of Salts” which indicates the identified salt types and thereview of countermeasures as well as the “List of Salt Characteristics” were given by the lecturer
to the participants.
(v) Since the crystallisation amount of salts differs depending on environment, the temperature,humidity. of an archaeological site should be monitored throughout a year.
(vi) The lecturer gave suggestions about the countermeasures for the characteristics of each salt as
follows:- First, the results of the experiment made on November 18 were shown to the participants. The
participants observed the three stone blocks in the experiment described above; (i) one, the fullsurface of which was treated with water-repellent; (ii) one, the upper half of which was treatedwith water-repellent; and，(iii) one that was not treated with water-repellent. Block (i) was
the most stable; block (ii) had broken into several large portions due to the crystallisation ofsalt inside the block; and block (iii) had become finely crushed to powder from the surface. Itis, effective against salt damage to apply a water repellent agent to what is separated from theground (represented by stone block (i)). The experimental results also indicated the likelihood
that, the surface of archaeological remains in contact with the ground, could collapse on a large
scale if applied with the water repellent agent. Meanwhile, in cases in which the surfaces of eachof the stone blocks under conditions (i) to (iii) were wrapped with pulp paper to absorb salt to
induce it to crystallise inside the pulp paper, and when the papers were periodically replaced, thethree blocks showed no deterioration on their surfaces.
27 November (Wed.)

Writing Final Report
The participants prepared their reports of the training programme.

28 November (Thur.)Closing Ceremony

After each participant successfully submitted his final report, the closing ceremony for programme
was held. Deputy Director Takahashi awarded a certificate of completion with a word of appreciation
for their hard work. He encouraged the participants, who had been playing the important roles in eacharea, to get involved in developing institutions after they go back to Bangladesh. He also wished them
to be a bridge between Bangladesh and ACCU Nara. After receiving the certificate, Dr Rahman madea brief address on behalf of all the participants. In his speech, he appreciated the kindness of Japanesepeople. Looking back the first day, he said that he had thought he would have lectures in this officeat ACCU Nara for 24 days from that day on. Yet, he could go to many different sites every day, and“I felt like I was living in the ancient time,” he said as he reflected on the days at NNRICP, where29he could see Nara Palace Site. He was thankful of the lecturers for giving the lectures and trainings
in a comprehensive way, so that he could learn well and bring back to share with the colleagues in
Bangladesh. He closed his speech with hope to maintain a cooperative relationship with ACCU Nara.

Closing Ceremony at ACCU Nara office30

At Nijo-jo Castle

Country Reports
by Participants

III. Country Reports by ParticipantsMd. Ataur Rahman
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Present Situation and Needs for Cultural Heritage Preservation in
Bangladesh
One of the main and most important sources of history is archaeology, which describes past humanculture with material evidence. The socio-cultural lives of the past are depicted in the cultural materialsof our ancestors. These artifacts also indicate their tastes, achievements, livelihoods and skills. To
express our past glory we need to promote, uphold and preserve our archaeological resources. Whena nation becomes psychologically weak due to poverty and other problems, it has the scope to regainenergy only by unveiling its heritage. Therefore, the inspirations of national heritage are able to ensure
the advancement of a nation with historical hierarchy. In this way, we can easily mention the past gloryof Bangladesh with the rich archaeological materials discovered recently.
It used to be commonly thought that Bangladesh is a land of new alluvium, making it impossible
to compare the cultural heritage of this land with those of other South Asian countries. But recent
research has changed this idea. The result of this research has announced that some soil in Bangladesh
is very old. The geological term for this is Pleistocene soil. Archaeologists have found quite a few
Stone Age tools through exploration and excavation. It was an important point to reach the decisionthat Bangladesh is not detached from the cultural continuity of South Asia that started 30,000 years
ago. In this process the glorious past of Bangladesh has gradually been uncovered. Nowadays, thepeople of this land are very much disheartened about the chaotic condition of its socio-political arena.
We can say that if the people of Bangladesh get a chance to know their own bright heritage, they could
be inspired.
Bangladesh has an exceptionally rich cultural heritage. It is evinced in various forms, like the small
artifacts of prehistoric people of the remote past as well as gigantic monuments like Paharpurmonastery of the historical era. Their various forms and nature exhibit the diversity in race andreligion of the ancient people who lived in the largest delta in the world. Here we find vestiges of the
Neolithic hunter-gatherers, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. So this multifarious heritage
undoubtedly testifies the richness of our colourful chequered history.
Although these cultural remains are spread all over the country, its northern and eastern portions arerich in the earliest evidence. The southern part, which has been recently formed by alluvial deposition,possesses comparatively less ancient culture. The earliest evidence of human habitation comes from
Chagalnayya in Feni, Sitakundu Hill in Chittagong, Chunarughat in Sylhet and Lalmai-Mainamati
Range in Comilla. These sites have yielded Neolithic artifacts of fossil wood. Of these the greater
assemblage comes from several hillocks of Lalmai.

33

Of the historical age, the earliest remains come from Mahasthan in the Bogra district and WariBateshar in the Narshingdi district. The extensive ruins of Mahasthangarh represent Pundranagar, theprovincial capital of Pundravardhan Bhukt, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Around the citadel
huge suburbs were developed, covering an area of roughly 80 km on its three sides (north, southand east). The city flourished in the succeeding periods of the Guptas, the Senas and the Muslims.
Within the fortified citadel and its extensive suburbs, many structural remains of monasteries, temples,
mosques and numerous movable objects like stone sculptures, coins, ornaments, terracotta images,
household objects of every day use, toys, etc. have been discovered.
Of the important establishments so far exposed in and around the citadel, Bairagi Bhita, Parashu Ram’spalace, Mankali Mosque, Ziat Kund, Lakshmindarer Medh, Govinda Bhita, Bhasu Bihar, Bihar andGodai Bari are worth noting. These cultural materials represent the socio-religious scenario of twoand-a-half thousand years of northern Bangladesh. Of course, most of the heritage is still covered byearth. The lofty mounds of Baro Tengra, Kanjirhari, Salibahan Rajar Bari and Kacher Angina definitely
contain important establishments of the period that are yet to be unearthed.

34

The twin village of Wari-Batashar in the district of Narsingdi has yielded artifacts of petrified woodof the prehistoric era and a large variety of cultural objects including water reservoirs, small rooms,
Northern Black Polished Ware, punch-marked silver coins, iron glums, and weapons and semi-precious
stone beads of the early historic period. The city was founded in 450 BC and was an important centre
of commerce and trade for a few centuries. The recent discovery of some architectural remains in Bhat
Bhita (Magura), Damdam Pirsthan (Manirampur, Jessore) and Bharat Bhayna (Keshabpur, Jessore)
have proved that the southern part of the country was inhabited during the early historic period.

The most imposing Buddhist monument is the gigantic monastery at Paharpur known as Sompur
Mahavihara in the Naogaon district. This is the second largest single monastery south of the Himalayas
and was erected by Dharmapala, the great Pala emperor, in the 8th century AD. The oblong monastery
consists of 177 monastic cells in four wings with an imposing gateway complex in the middle ofthe northern wing. At the centre of the open courtyard stands the colossal cruciform temple built inthree receding terraces. The lowest one is adorned with 63 stone sculptures, belonging mostly to theBrahmanical pantheon, while the others feature panels of terracotta plaques.

35

A series of similar but less extensive monasteries and stupas have been exposed at Salban Vihara,
Ananda Vihara, Rupban Mura, Itakhola Mura, Charpatra Mura and the Tri-ratna Stupas at Kotila Murain the Lalmai-Mainamati hill range in Comilla, as well as at Bihar and Vasu Bihar near Mahasthan, at
Sitakot in Dinajpur, and Harish Chandra Rajar Bari at Savar near Dhaka. Apart from these building
remains, numerous movable objects have been discovered from the excavations as well as surface finds
from different corners of the country. These are life sized sculptures of Buddha of stone and bronze, as
well as many miniature Buddhas, punch-marked silver coins, copper cast coins, semi-precious stonebeads, terracotta plaques, terracotta objects, bronze mirrors, bronze lamps, iron axes and so on. All
these objects faithfully reflect the socio-cultural and religious aspects of early medieval Bengal.

A series of stone sculptures of Visnu, Siva, Ganesha, Durga and other Brahminical images of varying
sizes discovered in different corners of the country show the great development of Hindu art during the
Sena period. But the architectural remains of this period are very scanty. Only a few sporadic vestiges
are noticed in and outside the citadel of Mahasthan, such as Bairagir Bhita, Govinda Bhita and theupper structure of Lakshindarer Medh.

36

The art and architecture of the Muslim period, covering more than five centuries, may be broadly
divided into two distinct phases: the pre-Mughal and the Mughal. Pre-Mughal art and architecture of
the country developed a strong indigenous trend, clearly manifested in an exuberant surface decoration
on monuments with this region’s traditional art of terracotta, and the introduction of a string curvilinear
roof form, drawn from the common thatched huts. Notable among them are a series of massively built
mosques and tombs within the old city of Khalifatabad, now known as Bagerhat, in the south, founded
by a saint ruler known as Ulugh Khan Jahan in the 15th century AD. The city plan centers around amagnificently built 77 domed mosque, popularly known as the ‘Shait-Gumbad Masjid’, which is thelargest of its kind in the country.

Numerous massive buildings in the city such as Bibi Begni Mosque, Singar Mosque, Chunakhola
Mosque, Khan Jahan’s Tomb, the Nine-domed Mosque and Ranavijaypur Mosque bear a striking
resemblance to the more famous Tughlaq architecture near Delhi. Other important examples of thisperiod are the Mosque of Baba Adam near Dhaka, Sura Mosque in Dinajpur, Small Golden Mosque
at Gaur in Nababganj, Bagha Mosque in Rajshahi and Kusumba Mosque in Nawgaon, Jor Bangia
Mosque, Galakata Mosque, Noongola Mosque, Pathagar Mosque, Satgachia Mosque and Monohar
Mosque in Barobazar in the district of Zhenaidah, Qutb Shah Muhammad Mosque in Mymensingh
and the Atia Mosque in Tangial. All these religious buildings are either profusely embellished withbeautiful terracotta floral panels or richly relieved with stone carvings.

37

At the other end the Mughals abandoned most of the indigenous elements in architecture andintroduced a uniform, provincial style. Their important creations, mostly concentrated in and around
Dhaka, their new provincial capital, are the incomplete Lalbagh Fort, the tomb of Bibi Pari, Sat Masjid,Mosque of Haji Khwaja Shahbaz, Khan Mohammad Mridha’s Mosque, Kartalab Khan’s Mosque,Bara Katra, Chhota Katra and a series of river forts at Idrakpur in Munshiganj, and the Hajiganj andSonakanda Forts at Narayanganj. Erected picturesquely on river banks, these fortresses guarded thewater route of Dhaka against the recurring raids of the Magh and Portuguese pirates.

38During this period numerous temples were built by local wealthy people and Zaminders. Of thesethe 17th century Bishnupur temples and the 18th century Kantajee Temple are the most elaborate andsignificant in terns of terracotta decoration.
With the advent of British rule in 1757, architecture acquired a new dimension. Monuments in a
European renaissance style appeared, initially in the religious buildings like the British churches of
Dhaka and a few other outlying areas. Subsequently this style was applied to secular buildings also,
as we see in the Wiseghat locality in old Dhaka. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries another styleof building with semi-octagonal or rounded corners and tall Doric columns became popular. An
example of this architecture is seen in the Former State Bank Building at Sadarghat. During the same
period another group of buildings with a defensive character, popularly known as Kuthis, were built indifferent parts of the country. The Dutch, the French and the English who were engaged in the indigo
and silk manufacturing trade built these buildings.

39

The new architectural elements introduced into almost all buildings erected during the 19th century
were the semi-circular arch, the triangular gable supported on semi-corinthian columns, and other
foliated motifs in plaster. Typical of this plaster are the Ahsan Manzil (Pl. 13) of the Nawabs of Dhaka
and many other Zamindar palaces elsewhere. In the late 19th and early 20th century a new hybrid
Mughal and European style emerged, particularly under the influence of Lord Curzon, which provided
all the necessary European requirements but outwardly maintained the fading Mughal architecturalelements. Notable monuments of this hybrid style are the Northbrooke Hall, Curzon Hall, Fazlul Huq
Hall, Dhaka Hall, Dhaka Medical College and the Salimullah Muslim Hall.

The government of Bangladesh has been taking a keen interest in the preservation and promotion ofthis glorious cultural heritage with its limited resources. At present, about 450 sites have been enlisted
as national heritage. Of these, Paharpur Monastery and the Bagerhat group of monuments have been
inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A few more sites such as Mahasthan, Mainamati,
Kantaji Temple, Sitakot Vihara, the Gour group of monuments and Lalbag Fort are included in theWorld Heritage Tentative List. But besides these declared national heritage sites, there are many moresites that are yet to be declared and need proper attention for their preservation for posterity. In thiscontext it is worth mentioning that the government of Bangladesh has recently drawn up a cultural
policy for the proper management, preservation and promotion of our age old cultural heritage. We
hope this newly framed policy will definitely help in achieving our goal.
Bangladesh has been overpopulated for the last 10 years. We are struggling with issues of cultivation
land, habitation and working space. In one sense, it’s a matter of promoting the practice of archaeology
and conservation of ancient monuments as well. In spite of all these obstacles, we the staff here in the40

Department of Archaeology on behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the People’s Republic ofBangladesh, are trying our best to protect the archaeological heritage of the nation. The Departmentof Archaeology has already announced the declaration of more than 450 protected archaeologicalmonuments, as I mentioned before, and posted signboards at the sites. But the weather here isn’t
suitable for the protection and conservation of those monuments. Most of the ancient buildings here
are made of brick and lime mortar. In the rainy season the structures get damp and are sometimes
damaged due to too much moisture. We have already taken necessary steps for the treatment andconservation of such monuments. For example, as a regional director of the Dhaka division I havealready supervised the conservation work at Lalbag Fort, Ancient Eidgah at Dhanmandi, Khelaram
Data Temple, Sat Gambud Mosque, Khan Muhammad Mridha Mosque, Tomb of Haji Khaja Shahbaj,
Panam City, Ancient Bridge at Panam, Baliati Palace and Teota Jaminderbadi Temple.
Some plans have already been put in place for the preservation, conservation and protection of manyother sites here in the upcoming year. But lack of proper financial support and technical anomalies act
as a bar to all this work. We are really struggling with poor funding and lack of appropriate manpower.
The local people are not aware of those sites and monuments. Now and then they destroy our cultural
heritage because of their daily needs but also because of ignorance. Sometimes they think thesearchaeological monuments are not valuable; or worse, as dust and waste rather than as more valuable
than gold. It’s very harmful for our heritage. To get rid of all those obstacles we need proper financial
support as well as professional manpower.
Notes and References
1.

Ancient Monuments in Bengal, Government of Bengal, Public Works Department, Calcutta, 1896.

2.

Alexander Cunningham: Archaeological Survey of India. No. 55, 1938.

3.

Dr. Ahmad Hasan Dani: Buddhist Sculptures in East Pakistan, Department of Archaeology inPakistan, Karachi, 1959.

4.

Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed: Bangladesh Archaeology, Number-1 (1979), Department of Archaeology& Museums.

5.

Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed: Mahasthan, Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of thePeople’s of Republic of Bangladesh, Dacca, 1975.

6.

K.N. Dikshit: Excavation at Paharpur, Bengal Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India 55,
Delhi, 1938.

7.

Dilip Kumar Chakrabarti: Ancient Bangladesh: A study of the archaeological sources, Oxford
University Press, Delhi.

8.

Verendra Research Society’s Monograph No.2, Rajshahi, 1929.

9.

M.M.A Qadir: A guide and others to Paharpur, Department of Archaeology, 1968.

10. AKM Zakariah: The Archaeological Heritage of Bangladesh, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2011.
11. Md. Mosharraf Hossain: Mahasthan: Pratnatattva: Udbhav O Bikash, Bangla Academy,
Dhaka-1998.
12. Dr. Nazimuddin Ahmed: Discover the Monuments of Bangladesh, University Press Ltd. Dhaka,

41

1984.
13. N.K. Bhattasali: Iconography of the Buddhist and Brahmanical Sculptures in the Dacca Museum,
Dacca, 1929.
14. Ramaschandra Mojumdar: History of Bengal Vol-1, Dacca, 1943.
15. Ancient Monuments of Bengal.
16. Md. Sirajul Islam & others (ed): Banglapedia, National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Asiatic
Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2003, Vol- 1-10.

42Golam Fardaush
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs“Present Situation and Needs for Cultural Heritage Preservation in
Bangladesh”
Based on the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat
Mosque City of Bagerhat: The medieval Historic Mosque city of Bagerhat, situated in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, is one of the most exciting sites of archaeological interest in Bangladesh,lying about 33 km south-east of the divisional headquarters of Khulna. A good number of old mosques,
reservoirs, non-descript structural vestiges and cultural mounds are scattered around the site. The lost
town, however, appears to have had a length of 6.5 km from east to west and 3.5 km from north tosouth. It has been a World Cultural Heritage site (323 BGD) since 1980.
Bangladeshi Heritage: Unity in diversity: The cultural
heritage of Bangladesh is one of the richest in the world.
As a product, as well as a mirror of the mind of the people,
the cultural heritage of the nation is a unique record of its
history and also an integral part of the universal heritageof mankind. This is an outcome of centuries of political,
religious, economic, cultural and social activities of past
generations. The cultural heritage of Bangladesh, reflecting
the creative genius of the people, was enriched by the great
civilization that flourished in the region for well over two
millennia.
The Department of Archaeology: The Departmentof Archaeology is one of the oldest organizations of
the sub-continent, devoted to the reconstruction of the past human history of the country througharchaeological exploration and excavation. Simultaneously, it is equally engaged in the preservation,
presentation and promotion of the nation’s glorious cultural heritage. At present the department owns
405 heritage sites. Of these, two have been inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List and five inthe tentative list.

43

Historical Background: In the first half of the 15th century, Ulugh Khanjahan founded a city of
unknown name not far from the present town of Bagerhat. Later, it became a mint town of the
independent Sultans of Bengal, and was then called Khalifatabad. His city was founded in the midstof the wild and inhospitable Sundarbans, a vast marshy and impenetrable tract along the coastlineof southern Bangladesh. The inscription on his tomb identifies this man as “Ulugh Khan-i Azam
Khanjahan,” suggestingh e w a s a n e t h n i c Tu r k(“Ulugh”) and a highr anking offic er (“Khanal ‘Azam”) in the Bengal
sultanate. Khanjahan
also turned his men tostupendous works ofarchitecture. Surveys havecredited him with having
built over 50 monuments
around Bagerhat, while oral
tradition claims for him
360 mosques and as manylarge tanks. Some 126 tanks
in Bara Bazar, ten miles
north of the town of Jessore, are also attributed to him, as is the construction of numerous roads in the
Bagerhat region. The unparalleled masterpiece of the Bagerhat complex is the Saithgumbad mosque,which, with its 67 domes and measurements of 157 by 106 feet, is even today the largest mosque in
Bangladesh.

Mosque Heritage of Bagerhat and Barobazar: The mosque is the physical embodiment of the social
reality of Islam and hence the paramount institution by which community identity and solidarity are
expressed. A total of 188 dated mosques built in the course of 600 years of Muslim rule in Bengal havesurvived into the present. Of these, fully 117 were built in the relatively short span of a hundred years,
from 1450-1550. Most are located in the western portion of the delta, especially near the old Muslim
capitals of Gaur, Khalifatabad Bagerhat and Shahar Muhammadabad (Barobazar).

44

Common Problem of Cultural Heritage protection in Bangladesh :Statement of significance: Bagerhat, therefore, is of enormous archaeological significance. The city
has acquired cultural significance as it gives an insight into Muslim cultural life. In its use of a rangeof buildings, typologies and design vocabulare, such as various types of domes, round-shaped cornerturrets, decorated mihrabs and glazed tiles, Bagerhat is of high architectural and design significance.
There are many aspects of the Sultanate period still to be explored and which could provide new
insight into medieval history.
Climate Change: Climate change poses significant risks for Bangladesh. Bangladesh is located in thetropical monsoon region and its climate is characterized by high temperatures, heavy rainfall, excessive
humidity, and fairly marked seasonal variation. This type of environment is not suitable for sustaining
tangible cultural properties in the long run. These environmental factors, several biological activities
and human-created factors are also responsible for deterioration of tangible cultural properties.
Bangladesh occupies a significant proportion of the archaeological heritage and historical record.
Therefore, Bangladesh needs a multidisciplinary effort in the areas of settlement archaeology, fieldarchaeology, historical architecture and cultural heritage management, geographical survey, GIS,
database management and computing archaeology, etc. to reach its goals. The goals are as follows:45

Salinity, Efflorescence and Deterioration of Bricks and Brick ornamentation:
There are many undulations in the
Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat,
and some depressions also,
and rainwater is stored in thosedepressions.

Waterlogging Problem: Waterlogging is one of the vital degrading factors in the deterioration ofbricks and terracotta ornamentation of the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat. Waterlogging was foundto have a greater impact in the north-west corner of the wall of the mosque.
Harmful Biological and Chemical Agents: Flora and fauna such asalgae (living and nonliving), moss, lichen, plants, different types of grass,birds, termites, insects, etc. often have a detrimental effect on the brickand terracotta of monuments.
Flaking: One of the main causes of the deterioration of bricks anddecorated bricks of Bagerhat and other monuments is flaking. The causesof flaking are heavy rainfall, high temperature and humidity, air pollution,
the chemical reaction of salt, and human attacks, etc.
Rising Damp: Most of the monuments and historic buildings have been
affected by too much damp due to lack of sunlight, and thus they absorb water all year round.
Problems of Rainwater Disposal and Lichen Growth: The rain that falls onto the domes runs to theflattish areas above the curvilinear cornice and then dribbles over the face of the building.
Human activity: Man is another deteriorating agent of cultural heritage. Anthropogenic causes andactivities are as follows:a. Lack of knowledge for proper treatment; b. Lack of scientific display and storage systems andincorrect conservation practices; c. Vandalism, theft and lack of security; d. Lack of funding; e. Lackof proper and scientific digital documentation.
Recommendations and Needs:
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs tries to preserve our national heritage, and the Bangladesh government
is coming forward to create some grounds for effective restoration and protection of our cultural
resources.

46

1. Nationwide preservation awareness programs through workshops, seminars and refresher
courses to safeguard the rich cultural and documentary heritage of the country should be arranged.
2. Conservation police should be prepared by updating current national legislation following thevarious instruments of UNESCO ICCROM. 3. Necessary infrastructure should be set up for both thepreservation and handling of cultural properties. 4. Policies should be updated and implemented. 5. A
comprehensive national inventory of the cultural heritage held by the DOA. 6. Funds for carrying out
archaeological activities like excavation, exploration, conservation, restoration, and maintenance of
cultural heritage should be increased. 7. The DOA should be strengthened for effective management
and to safeguard the national cultural heritage. 8. Initiate research projects, particularly on the impact
of global climate change on cultural heritage and its landscapes.
Archaeological Investigations in and Around Bagerhat: Throughout the old city of Khalifatabad
there is considerable scope for archaeological investigation.
The Original Road Network of Khalifatabad: Only the surviving medieval road is in a good stateof preservation, some of which can still be traced. This unusual aspect of the archaeology of Bagerhat
should be investigated, not only because it is an interesting detail, but also because it might lead tofurther discoveries.

Khan Jahan’s Residence: The most important of the possible sites for archaeological excavations is
Khan Jahan’s Residence, where there are many cultural properties and structural remains. The DOA
has been undertaking systematic archaeological explorations, excavations and research at Khan Jahan’s
Residence since 2008. Five seasons of archaeological excavation have already been carried out. This is
the most important archaeological discovery in the region, which is expected to shed significant lighton the past cultural landscape of Bangladesh.

47

Bara Ajina Mound: The site
locally known as the Bara
Ajina Mosque is a moundstrewn with brickbats in thesame way as most of the othersites. The columns are very
similar to those of the Shait
Gumbad Mosque.
Present Conservation Status
of Monuments: Bangladesh possesses about 405 protected archaeological sites. About 20 more sites
have been proposed for immediate protection. Apart from these, there are about 2,000 heritage sites
which are yet to be protected. All these sites, both protected and unprotected, have different degrees
of values in terms of history, aesthetics, architecture, art, and economics, and they are used for social,
spiritual, scientific and educational purposes. Of these two sites the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at
Paharpur and the Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat were inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage
List in 1985 due to their outstanding universal values. In addition, five more sites have been includedin the Tentative List. The DOA has been managing the protected heritage sites based on tradition andnational legislation.
Conservation Policies:a) To prolong the lifespan of the cultural heritage and, if possible, the artistic and historical, cultural,technical and craft activity based on humanistic and scientific studies and systematic research,
conservation must respect the cultural content. b) Preserving the archaeological remains andenvironment. c) Restoring the monuments to their natural setting. d) Development of tourism. e) To
take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical administrative and financial measures necessary for
identification, protection, and conservation; methods and materials according to accepted norm ofconservation. i) Historic building conservation. ii) Conservation of decorative features. iii) Historiclandscape conservation.

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Khandokar Mahfuz Alam
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs

COUNTRY REPORT“PRESENT SITUATION AND NEEDS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGEPRESERVATION IN BANGLADESH”

Fig. 1 Location of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is situated in South Asia, surrounded by India on three sides (east, west and north). To thesouth there is the BAY OF BENGAL. Bangladesh obtained her freedom from Pakistan in 1971 after anine month war of liberation.
Bangladesh is in the low-lying Ganges Delta. There are 230 rivers in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is anagricultural-based country with a tropical climate. A major part of the coastline is marshy jungle, theSundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world and home to diverse flora and fauna, including
the Royal Bengal Tiger.

49

Fig. 2 The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, deer and the Royal Bengal Tiger

Historically, Bangladesh has earned the reputation of being at the crossroads of many cultures. The
ruins of magnificent cities and monuments left behind in many parts of the country by the vanishingdynasties of rulers still bear testimony to the richness of its cultural heritage. Bangladesh has always
been known as a land full of nature’s bounties as evident from the vast expanses of its lush crop fields,borderland hills thickly covered with virgin forests and innumerable rivers and their tributaries, making
it the world’s largest delta. Ancient chroniclers have described it as “a land of emerald and silver”, “agarden fit for kings,” or as “a paradise among countries.” It is no wonder then that this country has
always attracted settlers, traders and conquerors, who have turned the land into a vast melting pot ofdiverse races and cultures.
Despite destruction caused by natural calamities, the ever-changing courses of turbulent rivers, heavy
high humidity, fast growing vegetation and expanding population, scattered throughout the country
are countless ancient monuments and antiquities. Excavations at Paharpur, Vasu-Bihar, Mahasthan,
Sitakot, Mainamati and other ancient sites, together with research, have greatly helped enrich ourknowledge about the country’s early history.

Fig. 3 Paharpur Vihara

Fig. 6 Shait Gumbad Mosque

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Fig. 4 Mainamati Vihara

Fig. 7 Kantaji Temple

Fig. 5 Vasu-Vihara

Fig. 8 Paribibi TombIn the absence of stone in the region, most of the ancient monuments and buildings were built withhighly perishable mud, bamboo, reed or timber or with durable burnt bricks and mud mortar. It is,however, no small irony that whatever of these monuments were spared by nature were vandalized bywaves of conquerors and treasure hunters.
As an architect in the Department of Archaeology, I document various archaeological monuments forproper preservation and conservation. We have around 3,000 monuments in our country, and thesemonuments are from various periods–the Buddhist period, Hindu period, Sultan period, Mughal period
and Colonial period.
All year our architecture section is involved in the work of monument documentation. Recently wehave been working on documenting a Hindu temple called KHELARAM DATAR MANDIR. This
temple was constructed by Khelaram Data in the late Mughal period (17th century). This temple issituated at Nawabgonj, Dhaka .

Fig. 9 Location of Khelarm Datar Mandir, Nawabgonj, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

This two storey temple is highly decorated on four sides, and is one of the largest temples in
Bangladesh. On the ground floor it has ten rooms and the first floor has nine rooms. The temple has
three types of roofs:a) Pitched roofb) Gable roofc) Shikhara.

Fig. 10 Three types of Roofs

Fig. 11 After documentation of thethree types of roofs

51

Some documentation of Khelaram Datar Temple:

Fig. 12 (Left side) Photography documentation

52(Right side) Drawing documentation

Our method of documentation consists of both digital and analog systems. First, we visit the ancientsite, fully survey the site and decide which part of the monument is essential to the documentation.
We measure the monument with an analog system, for example, by hand using measuring tape. We
measure every valuable decorated design, by firstly sketching it, then we take the measurement fromthe decorated design to sketch drawings. We take photos of the monument from various angles. These
photos are very helpful for comparing the measurements from the sketched drawings. After taking all
types of measurements and photographs, we then draw them. We now draw our drawings using various
software, but in the past we drew them manually. When the full drawings are complete, we go to themonument and recheck the measurements and decorated design. After completing the documentation,
we give the drawing documents to the engineers to carry out conservation and preservation of theancient monument.
Documentation is essential for ancient monuments. In our Department of Archaeology, the main
problem is lack of people and money. In our country we have around 3,000 monuments, and it is very
tough for us to preserve these ancient monuments with fewer people. Our documentation of ancientmonument is always threatened by natural disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis etc., because
if the monuments are destroyed, it is very difficult or even impossible to reorganize the ancientmonuments without proper documentation. For this reason, it is necessary to further develop the
documentation section.

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Final Reports byParticipants

IV. Final Reports by ParticipantsWith the staff and lecturers at the excavation site (Yakushi-ji Temple)

Md. Ataur Rahman
Regional Director
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Training Course on Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in
the Asia and the Pacific Region 2013 (Individual Course), Bangladesh
Overview
The training program was conducted by the Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, AsiaPacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara Office) and is a regular activity in order to develop
knowledge on the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the Asia-Pacific region, especiallyin Bangladesh. ACCU Nara office was established in 1998 to promote the interests of the preservation
and restoration of cultural heritage in the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo 1: Participants from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh and ACCU staff in Nara, Japan

The individual course was conducted for 24 days, from Nov 5, 2013 to Nov 28, 2013. The main theme
was “Research, Preservation and Utilisation of Archaeological Sites and Remains,” which was of greatvalue from a global point of view. Japan is a country that has preserved old wooden buildings and its
cultural heritages for hundreds of years, since they play an integral role in maintaining the harmony of
nature, people and buildings.
The types of activities undertaken during the individual course included on-site lectures at a numberof sites that have received local, national and World Heritage protection. Locations visited, among
others, were Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara World Heritage Site, Fujinoki Tomb as a national

57

historical site, World Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Temple area and Hoki-ji World
Heritage Buddhist Temple, Ikaruga Cultural Property Center, Yakushi-ji World Heritage Temple, Nara
Palace Site Museum, World Heritage Nara Palace Site (Heijo Palace Site), Osaka Museum of History
and Palace Site, Kyushu National Museum, Motomachi Sekibutsu in Oita City, Kanenokuma Museum,
Korokan Museum, Kyoto World Heritage sites, and Nara National Museum.
In addition, some of the lectures presented were: World Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area, Documentation and Survey of Archaeological Remains, Museum Exhibition in Practice,Conservation of Archaeological Remains and Museum Institutions, Museum Institutions in Practice,Conservation of Archaeological Remains in Practice I, Conservation of Archaeological Remains inPractice II, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Exhibition of Buddhist Art in Practice.
Ancient Nara as World Heritage and Cultural Properties City
At its meeting in Kyoto from November 30 to December 5, 1998, the 22nd Session of the World
Heritage Committee approved the inscription of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (Todai-ji
Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga-taisha Shrine, Kasugayama Primeval Forest, Gango-ji Temple,
Yakushi-ji Temple, Toshodai-ji Temple and Nara Palace Site) on the World Heritage List.
In 710 AD, with the completion of Heijo-kyo, which was modelled on the Tang capital Ch’ang-an(Sian), the capital was transferred from Asuka to Nara. And Nara flourished as Japan’s ancient capitalin the 8th century -a city where the cultures not only of Korea and China, but also of the Silk Road on
the Eurasian continent came together. The ancient state of Japan took shape during this period as well.
The historic monuments and structures, which exemplify the essence of the wooden architecture ofthat time, ancient remains, and cultural landscapes, are now designated as World Heritage. Nara wasthe capital of Japan from 710 AD to 794 AD, after which the capital moved to Kyoto.
Undoubtedly, Nara can be called the cultural heritage city of Japan. Many kinds of temples and shrines
can be found in Nara. These buildings are mainly built from wood, except for the foundations (stone)
and roof tiles (kawara). A few buildings still exist that use different materials for the roof, such as
cypress bark (hiwadabuki), board (itabuki), and certain types of grass (kusabuki and kayabuki).
Various historical buildings can be found in Nara. For example, among the World Heritage Historic
Monuments of Ancient Nara, there is the Great Buddha Hall, as well as goju-no-to, the greatest fivestoried pagoda. There are other notable buildings as well, such as Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple,
Kasuga-taisha Shrine, Kasugayama Primeval Forest, Gango-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, Toshodai-ji
Temple and Nara [Heijo] Palace Site, which is the former palace of the Nara period.
Preservation system for cultural heritage in Japan
Cultural heritage has been created, developed and preserved throughout Japan’s long history. It has
been passed down from one generation to another and is now the precious asset of the Japanese people.

58

Cultural heritage includes (i) structures such as shrines, temples and private houses, (ii) Buddhist
statues, (iii) paintings, (iv) calligraphy, (v) other skills called waza such as performing arts and crafts
techniques, and (vi) traditional events and festivals.
In Japan, there are various types of cultural heritage, namely:(i) Tangible cultural heritagea. Monument cultural heritage
b. Cultural landscapes
c. Groups of traditional buildings
d. Folk cultural heritage etc.
(ii) Intangible cultural heritagea. Folk cultural heritage (rituals and customs) etc.
The preservation of cultural heritage is divided into several categories:(i) National Treasures (ii) Province/Prefecture (iii) City/Municipality
Restoration of Cultural Heritage in JapanThe restoration of wooden structures in Japan actually begins at the time of construction, because theold buildings are usually designed to be maintained even after entering the next historical period. Thisis a major feature of Buddhist temples, in contrast to the building style used for Shinto shrines.
There are two types of restoration undertaken in Japan, namely:(i)

Total Restoration(ii)

Partial Restoration

On-site Training
World Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Temple Area:
Horyu-ji Temple is one of the world`s oldest surviving wooden structures, constructed about 1,300
years ago during the Asuka Period (mid 6th to beginning of 8th centuries AD). Today, Horyu-ji
comprises the western precinct (Saiin Garan) which is cantered on the Five-Story Pagoda (goju-no-to).
In December 1993, UNESCO declared Horyu-ji and Hoki-ji as World Heritages.

Photo 2: Views of selected ancient temples, historical buildings and recently established national museums in
Nara, Osaka and Kyushu, Japan59

Conservation of Archaeological Remains and Museum Institutions, Osaka Museum of History
and Palace site:
During the training period, we visited Osaka Museum of History, which is one of the most modern
museums in Japan. We also visited an on-going excavation at Osaka Palace site, Osaka. In themeantime, we also visited Kyushu National Museum, a modern museum in Japan, which used museum
science technology.

Photo 3: Documentation, survey and excavation of archaeological remains

Photo 4: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in Practice I, Motomachi and other sites, Oita

Photo 5: Conservation of Archaeological Remains in Practice II, Kanenokuma Museum and Korokan site, Fukuoka

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All the above sites are greatly affected by the problem of salinity, and therefore, the existence of theseobjects is now at risk. However, scientists looking into this problem have already carried out someexperiments, and research on this issue is ongoing.

Photo 6: Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple

Practical Training

Photo 7: Recording/Documentation of artefacts (Actual Measurement I: Stoneware)
Photo 8: Practical experiment to find the reasons for salinity and likely measures for its solution (Actual
Measurement II: Earthenware)

A laboratory experiment was carried out on the detrimental effects of salinity on ancient humanobjects. After one week, we found a difference between normal water solution, half chemical, andfull chemical solution, which made us conclude that there is no permanent chemical solution forconservation, and then any solution would only be temporary. So, prevention measures are the best
cure for chemical treatment.

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Recommendations
There is a proverb, “Practice makes perfect.” Training is the best technique for practice on the relevant
topics. So training provides value for the participants and sharing knowledge can be beneficial to ourarchaeological field. All of the material provided was informative and helpful for the participants.
However, we were not provided any soft copies of the classes, but instead provided with lecture
sheets/materials presented in the classroom. Our opinion is that it would help the next participants ifthey provided soft copies of class lectures, which will help with knowledge sharing. In conclusion, we
would like to express our sincere gratitude to ACCU Nara, who provided this training on preservation
and restoration of cultural heritage.
Sources:i) Brochuresii) Information from Training Course Lecturesiii) Lecture sheetiv) Former Training Report from ACCU, Nara

62

Md. Golam Fardaush
Field Officer
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Innovative Display, Documentation, Preservation, and Conservation fromthe Perspective of Ancient Nara, Kyushu, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Oita City
Introduction: Japan is known for its unique cultural heritage which has been preserved by the Japanesepeople since ancient times. The age-old social customs and historical traditions also give a unique
pen picture of the country. The cultural property of Japan has been created, developed, and preserved
throughout the long history of Japan. The people of Japan have passed it down from one generation
to another and it is now a precious asset of the Japanese people. Archaeological activities in Japan
have consolidated in a manner that exemplifies aspects of Japanese culture, history, and political
economy. Archaeological research is strongly controlled in Japan and also guided by national policies
and indirectly linked to the national learning movement of the 19th century. Nationalistic interests areserved by prehistoric investigation, exploration that emphasises continuity of historical links acrosstime and space. As with the national government, local government also enacts ordinances for theprotection of cultural properties under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, and designates
local cultural properties. Even though the local authorities preserve and utilise their cultural properties,
subsidising expenses necessary for management, repair and exhibitions, Japan has a rich and diverse
cultural heritage in each local region, which collectively constitutes nationwide treasure. In recent
years, people have begun to recognise this, leading to the revitalization of communities and thepromotion of tourism.

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Specifications of the Training Course: Individual Training Course for Bangladesh on Cultural Heritage
Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region 2013 was conducted by the Cultural Heritage Protection
Cooperation Office, Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU, Nara Office), which wasestablished in1998 to promote the protection of cultural heritage in the Asia-Pacific region. This
individual training course lasted for 24 days from 5th November to 28th November, 2013.
• Focal Point of the Training Course: On-site Training: World Cultural Heritage Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
 Practical Training for Photographic Documentation of Artefacts
 Practical Training for Recording and Documentation of Artefacts
 Documentation and Survey of Archaeological Remains
 Practical Training for Documentation of Artefacts (Actual Measurement) Practical Training for Museum Exhibitions
 On-site Training for Conservation of Archaeological Remains and Museum Institutions: Osaka
Museum of History, Kyushu National Museum Conservation Science of Archaeological Remains
 On-site Training for Exhibitions on Buddhist Art in Practice On-site Training for Conservation of Archaeological Remains Practice at Oita, Kanenokuma
Museum, Korokan Historical Museum, NNRICP Buddhist Art in PracticeInaugural ceremony of the training

64

Innovative Display System of Kyushu National Museum

Modern display at Kyushu National Museum

Kyushu National Museum‘The adventure begins with the building striving to be a museum that is one with the local citizenry’
Located in the south of Japan in the city of Dazaifu, Fukuoka prefecture, Kyushu National Museum
opened in 2005. This museum is the most recent national museum to be established. This national
museum welcomes more than 1,000,000 people each year. There are many diverse displays,
comprising regular exhibitions, thematic exhibitions (which change periodically), and special
exhibitions. In Kyushu, the focus is set on the concept of Japanese culture as seen from an Asian pointof view, including education and research programmes. Next to the unique cultural exhibitions, theongoing research and protection of Japanese cultural heritage and the transfer of knowledge to theyounger generation are key goals. A digital overview of all galleries categorised by subject field shows
130 free standing display cases, which look fabulously modern and sophisticated. Many of the mostprecious treasures of Japan are shown in this newly-built museum, constructed as an earthquake-safe
structure.
Museum with seismic isolation devices: Seismically isolated buildings are provided with devices thatabsorb vibration energy during an earthquake, thus preventing the energy from directly affecting thesuperstructure. While conventional buildings suffer from severe swaying due to vibrations during aquake, the swaying of buildings equipped with seismic isolation structures is limited. In addition to
the threat to the superstructure itself, there is danger associated with secondary disasters caused by the
movement, and overturning of furniture. The museum buildings have become safer, with a drastically65

reduced risk of damage due to earthquakes. The museum has three kinds of seismic isolation devices
that absorb and control seismic vibration.

Impressive and innovative displays

Laminated rubber isolators: Soft laminated rubber isolator sheets and steel plates are combined tosafeguard the building from earthquakes. Soft rubber reduces the building vibration to slow shaking,lets the upper structure move horizontally, while the hard steel plates help support the heavy weight ofthe building itself.
Steel rod damper: When an earthquake hits the building the steel rod dampers help dissipate the energy
through their elasto-plasticity, significantly reducing the amplitude of the swinging. The elastic slipbearing function against earthquakes acts just like laminated rubber isolators so that the vibration is notdirectly transmitted to the superstructure.
Modern storage system: One of the most important roles of any museum is to conserve the culturalproperties in good condition for future generations. The storage area occupies most of the second floor,
and is specially designed for this purpose. Kyushu National Museum has state-of-the-art facilities forthe conservation of irreplaceable precious cultural properties. The storage area is placed at the very
centre of the museum so that external environmental fluctuations do not affect the precious objects,
which are surrounded by offices and other functional areas. Exhibition galleries are placed above thestorage area.
Air conditioning facilities: The temperature and humidity levels in the storage are strictly controlled
by an air conditioning system. Independent air conditioning is used for the clearance, and inside thestorage area of the museum, cryptomeria board, calcium silicated board, and glass wool are used asmaterials to help control the humidity and temperature.
Conservation studio: Conservation of cultural properties is facilitated by Kyushu National Museum.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs has duly acknowledged these two organisations as designatedconservation techniques for conserving cultural properties such as paintings, calligraphy, antique books
and book documentation.
Scientific Approach for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Each cultural property is closely monitored and recorded to determine the state of conservation and66

preservation. This knowledge is the focal point for the display and storage management for future
generations. For monitoring the state of preservation of cultural properties, some high tech museums
are equipped with major equipment or scientific machinery and tools. X-ray computed tomographyscanners, computed radiography, radiographic X-rays, 3D printers, and fused deposition modelling 3D
printers have recently been used for documentation and preservation of cultural properties.
Record Utilisation for Tangible Cultural (Movable) Heritage:
Invaluable and more specific data will be accumulated by using the latest high-precision measuring
techniques and digital technology that can be manipulated in various fields. For this purpose somemajor equipment is used for digital documentation in Japan, such as 3D digitisers and fused deposition
modelling 3D printers. For conducting onsite research on cultural properties outside of the museum,portable equipment enables researchers to examine cultural properties. Optical microscopes with freearm stands, handheld 3D optical digitisers, and portable X-ray fluorescence analysers are portable
and thus very effective for onsite research activities. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysers,
Raman microscopes and FT-IR microscopes are used for analysing materials, and for scientificresearch to investigate the materials and techniques used in the creation of cultural properties. For thesafeguarding of cultural property through appropriate environmental control, temperature and humidity
levels are a factor, so pest control measures also have to be carried out to protect cultural properties.
Restoring Cultural Properties
In the context of Japan, most of the archaeological restoration works are highly specialised operations
based on a critical-historical process of evaluation and must not be based on conjecture. Qualified
technicians carry out restoration work by using traditional restoration techniques and detailed
knowledge gathered with the latest analytical equipment specially designed for archaeological relics,
sculptures and artefacts.

Modern Display System of Ikaruga Cultural Property Center

Practical Experience Gathered on Archaeological Site Conservation
Scientific research and treatment of heritage resources can be categorised in terms of their performanceand described in a series in which specific functions vary according to the task of the conservation
professionals. The skills of conservators/restorers, craftspeople, applied scientists and research

67scientists are developed through long and close experience with similar types of objects. The
conservation science laboratory conducts basic research on the conservation of excavated objects andarchaeological sites. From the perspective of Japan, this type of laboratory has already developed
and applied many scientific conservation techniques and methods such as the vacuum freeze-drying
method, decompression techniques, the resin film method, and the super water absorbent polymer
method, and these techniques have been widely applied in other relevant fields.
Preservation of Historic Sites and Artefacts
Historic preservation works in Japan are carried out while safely retaining the existing monuments andhistoric sites. The preservation works also include measures such as regular inspections and cyclicaland routine maintenance. Every heritage conservator of Japan is very careful about carrying out his or
her duties as required while ensuring resource integrity, and checking for damage and deterioration due
to water, chemicals, insects, rodents, plants, and microorganisms. The present conservation outlook
of Japan is to preserve the historic authenticity and integrity of the cultural resources. Many heritage
conservators believe that authenticity should refer mainly to the physical layout and features of nonorganic materials. The present situation is that Japan places emphasis on protection, preservation,conservation and maintenance of the original fabric related to the particular historical area. The
treatment aims mainly at prolonging the lifespan of the structure, using original materials, to keep it in
its original position in the construction to trace the historical changes that have taken place over time.
In the context of the history of Oita, we closely observed the deterioration problem with the Takase
Stone Buddhas and the Motomachi Stone Cliff Buddhas. They are keeping an accurate record of thetreatment of these ancient statues. They make regular inspections, particularly concerning the fabric of
the historical area, and are careful about identifying and defining what should be conserved so that theauthenticity of the properties is not lost. The significant historical value of these stone cliff Buddhas
and the people of this traditional settlement lies in the fabric of the area.
One of the most important activities in archaeological excavation in Japan is documentation of thestrata profile.
Reconstruction of Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty
Reconstruction m e a n s b u i l d i n g a n e w. T h eterm is widely used in reference to work thathas been carried out using modern or oldmaterials or both, with the aim of rebuilding
dismembered or destroyed elements, or parts ofthem. Reconstruction must be based on accuratearchaeological and architectural documentationand evidence. Japan has reconstructed many
historic sites, including palaces and temples, basedon the historical fabric and the site’s importance.
Suzaku Gate

68

These include the Former Imperial Audience Hall,

Suzaku Gate, the Latter Imperial Audience Hall, State Hall Compound and East Palace Garden at
Nara Palace site, Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and many buildings at the Nara Palace site thatwere partially reconstructed using the vast amounts of materials such as roof tiles, lumber and stonethat were exposed/discovered through excavation. A full-scale replica of a Japanese diplomatic shipfor envoys to China was also built. The Latter Imperial Audience Hall and surrounding buildings havebeen reconstructed with posts supported by foundation stone and pillars embedded in postholes. Thisis justified by the level of national and international interest.

Temple being reconstructed under a gigantic shed

View of the reconstructed Yakushi-ji Temple

Investigation of Deterioration, Biological Agents and Preventive Maintenance
By using thermography to determine temperature
distribution, deterioration of historical buildings,
monuments and stone statues can be measured andinvestigated. A search was done to find the cause of thedeterioration of the Oita Motomachi Stone Cliff Buddhas
by specially focusing on the conservation of the stone
cliff Buddhas. The image of Bhaisajyaguru, the Usuki
Stone Cliff Buddhas, the image of Cetaka Doji, and theimage of Vaisravana were vulnerable to salt damage.
Some protection measures against salt weathering are currently being implemented on the basis ofenvironmental surveys, to ensure proper diagnosis of the deterioration, identification of the factors
involved and the environmental impact, and later, implementation of conservation efforts. We visitedthe Kanenokuma archaeological site with a view to gaining more practical knowledge about site
conservation in Fukuoka city. This prominent archaeological site dates back to the Yayoi period. The
site is an ancient tomb where earthen jar-coffin graves have been found. These types of graves wereprevalent in the northern part of Kyushu.
Recently, the site has gradually been affected by the problem of salinity. Some restored jar-coffinshave deteriorated due to salt precipitation. The problem of deposits of some crystallised matter,believed to be salt, on the surface of the structural remains has been reported. We exclusively visited
Korokan, designated as a national historical site, located in Fukuoka. The site has featured an open
exhibition of structural remains since 1991, after building a cover to protect them. The Korokan site69

remains are highly preserved in the condition in which they were discovered without using resin orother substances. The historic Korokan was at one time famous as a guesthouse for foreign diplomats;
however, the exposed cultural materials are deteriorating, caused by microorganisms, vegetation.
The site is affected by moss growing on the surface of the structural remains during the months when
the groundwater level rises, and also by deposition of some crystallised matter believed to be salt
during the dry season, but their impacts are not so serious. Museums are primarily responsible for thesafekeeping of cultural properties, not only those in storage, but also objects on temporary display inthe galleries. It is imperative to prepare oneself for the worst so that the cultural properties are handed
down to future generations in their best possible condition. From an architectural point of view,
the special feature of the Kyushu National Museum is the Seismic Isolation Structure (SIS), which
prevents cultural properties from being damaged by tumbling over due to earthquake vibrations insideand outside of the storage area.
Osaka Museum of History‘Explore it, feel it, think about it. Where people experience History...’Visiting the Osaka Museum of History is an astonishing experience of walking through history, as
Osaka has continued to play an important role in the history of Japan from ancient times through today.
The museum was built at the edge of the Uemachi Plateau to profit from its historical importance as
the location of the ancient Naniwa Palace, the medieval Osaka Hongan-ji Temple and the early modern
Osaka Castle. The area became the centre of the downtown area of Osaka and has been modernisedin the present age, but based on historical background, the location has been chosen in the mostrepresentative spot in Osaka. The permanent exhibition features numerous full-scale reproductions,models, graphics, and large quantities of original artefacts to bring to life the history and culture of
Osaka as well as Japan. The displays of the museum make use of the unique character of its location,and combine new technology with materials and experience accumulated in the old Osaka Municipal
Museum and materials excavated from around Osaka city, forming a basis for active ongoing research
activities. Four periods of Osaka are introduced, with the main themes presented through dynamic
visuals. Two courses have been laid out for touring the museum.
Highlight Course: The Highlight Course allows visitors to take in Osaka’s history in about an hour bydrawing attention to life sized reconstructions, scale models and key photographs and movies.
Complete Course: This course gives the visitors a more complete experience by taking them throughthe museum at a slower pace so that they can enjoy all of the individual exhibits.
Inspection of preserved ancient remains dating back about 1350 years, during the Asuka period: The
area of the present-day museum was the location of the Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace. Excavationsin this area revealed the remains of a warehouse and separate walls and water supply facilities for thepalace. Most of these excavated remains have been kept visible for display at the museum.
The history and culture of Osaka is told as a trip through time, departing high in the sky above ancientJapan, and showing how Osaka evolved over time, with the people’s activities depicted using a70

compilation of graphics, pictures and screens. Development of the Landscape, Ancient Period, and theAge of the Naniwa Palace exhibits are on the 10th floor. On the 9th floor are displayed the medieval
and early modern periods, especially the Age of Osaka Hongan-ji Temple. The 8th floor also represents
the contemporary and modern period. Special features of these display room is Excavating the Past,
Featured Exhibition Hall, and the Age of the Greater Osaka. The 7th floor mainly displays objects ofthe contemporary and modern age.
In Search of Buddhism: Nara National Museum
Historic Nara became first full-fledged capital of Japan in 710 AD. In 1899, the Imperial Museum of
Nara was established under the supervision of the Imperial Household Ministry. In 1900, this museum
was renamed as the Nara National Museum. In 2001, it was merged with three other national museums
to form the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum. Nara National Museum is
involved in the collection and preservation of cultural properties mainly associated with Buddhism,
as well as conducting research and educational programmes on such cultural properties. The museum
has introduced to the public the high artistic value and historical background of Japanese Buddhist
culture, by keeping in mind that various cultural properties are tied together in an organic whole withthe historical and cultural landscape of Nara. The number of objects in the museum’s collections totals
1,834 including 13 national treasures and 111 important cultural properties. There are 1,951 objects onlong term loan to the museum’s collection, including 53 national treasures and 320 important culturalproperties.

These important artefacts include sculptures, paintings, writings, decorative arts andarchaeological works.
Outstanding Features of the Museum: High-tech Display Cases
More recently, the museum has introduced a number of high quality earthquake-resistant showcases.
Former storage houses were turned into galleries, with two wings added to the original buildings
in 2010, with the introduction of a free standing wall and table cases in two galleries for temporary
exhibitions. The free standing cases are equipped with isolators. The special feature of these cases
is climate control with an RK-2 unit for clean air and related humidity control, which is suitable forsensitive ancient paper and fabric artefacts.
Gallery of Horyu-ji Treasures
This temple is the most famous oldest wooden building in the world. Originally founded in 607 AD,
the temple building was reconstructed in the early 8th century. In addition, various historical treasures
including Buddhist images are on display at the temple museum, Daihozoden. The gallery of Horyu-ji
Temple was built as a complete earthquake compensation structure, which is equipped with the highest
level conservatory technology. Today, the museum is also home to the digital archive of the complete
Horyu-ji Treasures collection. It is considered the oldest and best known cultural heritage in Japan.
Nara Palace Site Museum
The Nara Palace Site Museum exhibits the results of excavations to the public. The museum consists

71

of galleries for the palace and its administrative office, unearthed artefacts, archaeological science
exhibitions and special exhibitions. From the museum we know how the artefacts were used in the
Nara period. The excavated materials also represent archaeological research on artefacts, how toprotect the artefacts, and knowledge about display, temperature and humidity control systems.
Conservation of Archaeological Sites and Artefacts: An environmental investigation is also needed
to find out the geographical conditions of the sites as well as the state of preservation of the remains.
Prior to subjecting an archaeological artefact to conservation treatment it is very important toinvestigate the kind of environment it was unearthed in, so as to consider what kind of conservation
treatment should be applied. As well as the environment in which to conserve it prior to and following
such treatment, an investigation of the underground environment of the artefact can be carried out
so that we can explore the factors behind the deterioration and weathering, and use the information
to identify the state of deterioration or to consider methods of conservation. Traditional methods andtechniques have always been valued for the conservation and repair of cultural properties, and thematerials and technologies for conservation have been selected with care. For most of the artefacts
unearthed from archaeological excavations we do not even know the method of manufacture, not tomention the traditional methods of restoration. The exhibition hall of this excavation site displays an
opened excavated site and archaeological features in situ of epoxy resin. In addition, a film-based soil
section is displayed in the museum. It also has three galleries -north, central and south. Features ofpillars for wooden buildings are displayed in north gallery, and unearthed remains of large well frames
and scale models of large palace buildings are in the north and central galleries. Remains of a uniquebuilding with a brick platform are displayed in the south gallery.

Nara Palace Site Museum... a new dimension for historic site museums

Excavated and Reconstructed Remains of Heijo-kyo Sakyo Sanjo Nibo GardenThis rare historic site, designated as a special place of scenic beauty and open to the public since 1992,
has been preserved in good condition. It was discovered through archaeological investigation in 1975.
Many archaeological features have been exposed by the excavation, such as buildings, fences, gutters,
water supply and drainage systems, and planting curbs and a wall uncovered around a magnificent
pond. The reconstruction works have been completed based on excavation data and other evidence
from studies of similar surviving structures from the Nara period.

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Drawing and Documentation of Archaeological Objects and Artefacts
Drawing is a vital part of the documentation and recording objects of cultural heritage. It provides
information upon which appropriate and sustainable use may be identified and effective research,
management, and maintenance programmes and construction works may be planned. Such methods
might include written descriptions and analysis, photographs, photogrammetry, geophysical surveys,
maps, measured plans, and drawings and sketches.
From this effective archaeological training course we came to know two kinds of drawing in the lightof our investigation of the Imperial Palace Site, Nara. The documentation system of archaeologicalartefacts in Nara is similar to that used in Bangladesh. Basically the drawing methods are both threedimensional and two-dimensional. We actually gathered some basic practical knowledge within a shorttime and greatly benefited from the class. The drawing expert focused especially on various typesof drawing projections (horizontal and vertical) cross sections, the concept of drawing pottery, stone
artefacts, and ceramics, especially the exterior and interior view of pottery. The process of drawing
included measuring the diameter of the pottery, finding out the centre point, measuring and drawing
the outline of the pottery, measuring the distance from the perpendicular line, and measuring theheight from the ground. On the other hand, on the topic of “Method and Procedure for Stone Artefact
Drawings,” we learnt about the method of drawing a particular stone artefact: drawing the outline,
drawing the ridge line, drawing a partial view, and identifying method of the connection of flaking.
Photographic Documentation
Photographic documentation is a major part of documentation of archaeological artefacts andcultural properties. Photographs of cultural properties include photos used for work and documentary
photographs obtained through research, conservation, preservation and restoration works. We obtained
more practical knowledge from the photographic documentation class. Even though we were familiar
with various types of cameras and lenses, we learnt a great deal on the following topics: proper
handling and use, precautions in preparing digital photographs, camera angle, image processing, colour
adjustment, gradation pictures, picture elements, high sensitivity of larger format cameras, resolution,
digital photographic image saving format, JPEG format, TIFF format, file format, file management,
storage location of digital data, data maintenance, photographs and exposure, function of shutter speed,
exposure composition, ISO sensitivity, and lighting. For the first time in my life I acquired valuable
practical knowledge of different types of lighting and their effects on the object, including forward
light, oblique light, slide light, top light, back light, semi back light, and transmissive light, which
would be much more effective, practical and obviously beneficial for us. In order to avoid the problemof shadow and the subject falling into the background by making the contour unclear, the subject isplaced on a sheet of transparent glass that is raised from the background. If it is not, then brightness
should be adjusted. ‘The adventure begins with the building striving to be a museum that is one withthe local citizenry’ by shining auxiliary light on the background.

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Photographic Documentation 1

Photographic Documentation 2

Photographic Documentation 3

What I Achieved from the Individual Training Course:
Being a participant, I highly benefited from the Individual Training Course. My learning of manysatisfactory methods, techniques, required practical knowledge, and invaluable expertise and advice
would not have been possible without the Individual Training Course. The active exchange of ideas
and opinions, and the sharing of knowledge on modern scientific approaches personally encouraged
me to learn something new. The success story of these types of training courses might be the influenceon creating a collaborative network of individuals and institutions. As an archaeologist, this practicaland effective course may lead me to play an important role in raising visual and cultural awarenessand providing me with the ability to understand the various elements of our national cultural heritage.
Professional development can be enhanced through this initial training course.
Shortcomings of the course: Although we acquired some satisfactory knowledge from the training,
not enough time was allocated to the following topics: holistic approach to disaster management,
methods of mitigating damage to cultural property, preventive maintenance, fire prevention and othersecurity measures. These are important because cultural heritage protection and preservation as wellas preventive archaeology are inseparable. I strongly hope that, if possible, ACCU Nara will be able toarrange an Individual Training Course on preventive archaeology on the basis of a holistic approach.

74

Khandokar Mahfuz Alam
Assistant Architect
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs

Cultural Heritage Preservation and Restoration of Artefacts, ChemicalConservation and Display System
Cultural heritage is the connection between past and present, which will be passed on to future
generations. Cultural heritage denotes or is related to things of special architectural, historical, cultural
tradition or natural value that are preserved for the nation. It is therefore important to preserve andrestore the cultural heritage for the country and for the whole world. Cultural heritage is categorised as
movable, immovable, underwater or intangible.
The Individual Training Course on Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in Asia andthe Pacific 2013, especially in Bangladesh, was held in Nara city, Japan from 5th November to 28th
November. This training was carried out at excavation sites, and involved finding artefacts fromarchaeological sites, properly cleaning the artefacts, properly documenting both drawings andphotographs, proper storage, proper chemical conservation and finally, displaying the artefacts.
During the training period we visited many excavation sites, museums and temples in Nara city, Osaka
city, Kyushu and Kyoto. Nara was the ancient city of Japan. The ancient Japanese enthusiasticallylearned from China and Korea, and introduced the constitution of a law-based political system andconstructed Nara as the capital. The state promoted Buddhism and constructed many temples. From
this we can easily obtain many ideas and concepts on the preservation and restoration of Cultural
Heritage in Nara city, Japan.

Fig. 1 Fujinoki Tomb, Nara, Japan

Fig. 3 Hoki-ji Temple

Fig. 2 Horyu-ji Temple, Nara, Japan

Fig. 4 Todai-ji Temple

Fig. 5 World’s largest Buddha Statue

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The city’s historic monuments –Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and the excavated remains of thegreat Imperial Palace– provide a vivid picture of life in the Japanese capital in the 8th century, aperiod of profound political and cultural change. We visited various World Heritage temples –Horyuji Temple, Hoki-ji Temple and Todai-ji Temple. The site of Horyu-ji Temple was huge and two stylesof roof –Buddhist and Shinto– are found here. The world largest gilt-bronze Buddha statue is situatedin the Todai-ji Temple. Fujinoki tomb was another wonder for us because of its structure, size, and thefact that it was fully made of stone. In the training period we also visited Kyushu and another ancient
city, Kyoto.
Excavation Fields

Fig. 6 Yakushi-ji Temple excavation field

Fig. 7 Fukuoka-jo Castle excavation field

We visited many other excavation fields such as Yakushi-ji Temple, Osaka Museum of History site andFukuoka-jo Castle site. The most interesting aspect was that we saw modern methods being used atYakushi-ji Temple site. They used a rolling earth carrier system to carry the excavated earth from thesite to the outside, which was time consuming. In Bangladesh, we manually carry the excavated earth
from the site to outside, and this method was also used at Osaka Museum of History site and Fukuokajo Castle site. The method of excavating the archaeological sites is similar in both Bangladesh andJapan.
Documentation
After obtaining artefacts from the excavated field, it is very important to create proper documentation.
At Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, they document the artefacts in two ways:-Drawing the artefacts-Photographing the artefacts
Drawing the artefacts:

Fig. 8 Cleaning artefacts

76

Fig. 9 Documenting the artefacts

The artefacts are firstly cleaned and dried properly. Then they are manually drawn on paper, including
the top view, right view, left view, bottom view, and sections. All of the drawings are measured
drawings. After the drawings are completed, they are all stored in a file. At NNRICP they used themanual method. The method of creating drawings is similar to that done in Bangladesh. In the pottery
section NNRICP used the same drawing method. This section also used a 3D scanner for creating a 3Dview of the pottery, which is more scientific and effective. They used a local instrument called a mako,
which is more useful for recording the proper outline and inner line of the pottery, which is not foundin our country.

Fig. 10 Documenting the pottery

Fig. 11 Mako

Fig. 12 3D Scanner

At Kyushu National Museum, they used standard museum science methods for documenting theirartefacts. Museum science is a fusion of medical science instruments used in museums for artefact
documentation.
They used many more medical science instruments such as an X-ray computed tomography scanner,an X-ray diffract meter, a radiographic X-ray system, a computed radiography system, a 3D digitiser
and an inkjet 3D printer. They also used portable equipment for onsite research of cultural properties:
hand-held 3D optical digitiser, portable 3D digitiser, optical microscope with free arm stand, hand-held
X-ray fluorescence analyser and portable scanning electron microscope. Using these methods, almost
95% accuracy is achieved for proper documentation. The storage system of Kyushu National Museum
was much more secure than the other museums we visited.

Fig. 13 Various medical equipment used for documenting artefacts

Fig.14 Storeroom

Photographing the Artefacts:

Fig. 15 Capturing the artefacts with a camera

Fig. 16 Positioning the camera

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At Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, we had a class about photography, on
how to capture pictures of artefacts both indoors and outdoors. When we take a picture of an artefactindoors, we must be conscious of the light and shadow. Photography is an important tool in the
documentation of artefacts, and without following the light and shadow that exists indoors, the photo
may be blurred or dark, which will not show the proper condition of the artefacts. When we take apicture of an ancient object or ancient building, we must follow the sunlight; otherwise the photowill not be clear. After the photo is taken, it should be stored in two ways: as a printout in true colour,
which is kept in a file; and as a raw file on a computer hard drive. The photography system of Japan,
including the camera and storage system, is similar to that used in Bangladesh.
Salinity Problems and Chemical Conservation:

Fig. 17 Salinity problems of Oita city and Fukuoka city

We had a tour of Kyushu and visited Oita city and Fukuoka city over three days. We observed
many salinity problems in Oita city and Fukuoka city. In Oita city we visited the Motomachi stonecliff Buddhas, Iwayaji stone-cliff Buddhas and Takase stone-cliff Buddhas. The Motomachi stonecliff Buddhas were badly affected by salt, and some parts of the stone cliffs were almost completely
destroyed. At this site three types of preventive methods had been taken. These experiments will run
until 2015. This stone cliff is covered at the front, side and roof, and is temperature and humidity
controlled, but the salinity problem has not yet been solved. Many more types of salt are found in thisstone cliff, such as sodium sulphate, calcium sulphate, sodium nitrate, sodium chloride, etc.
The Iwayaji stone cliff Buddhas are almost 85% damaged by salt. It is very difficult to recover thestone cliffs. To protect the stone cliff, a roof has been installed over it. Some preservation techniques
have been applied here, but a positive result has not yet been achieved.
The Takase stone cliff Buddha is the only site where almost total preservation by chemical treatment
has been achieved. Water repellent has been used to get the proper result to prevent the stone cliff
from deteriorating. There is a roof top on the monuments to protect them from rain.
Kanenokuma Site, Fukuoka city, is an ancient graveyard site. This site is totally covered by shade. It
has also been badly affected by salt, in that many of the jar coffins have been totally demolished.

Fig. 18 Some salinity treatments: washi paper, gido and water repellent

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Three methods to guard against salt damage at those monuments include the use of washi paper, gido
and water repellent, and the experiment is ongoing. For chemical conservation of any monument, wemust be mindful of the amount of salt in the stone or brick, the water level, the analysis of the salt, andthe humidity, temperature and rainfall conditions.
The chemical conservation methods of Japan and Bangladesh are not so similar, especially in terms offield work, but the laboratory work shows some similarities.
Display Systems

Fig. 19 Excavated sites as display centre

An excavated historical site can become a display centre in itself; however, this is not believable if we
did not visit Japan. As an architect, I was astonished to visit various excavated sites that were undercover, with proper humidity and temperature, and with pathways surrounding the site for visitors to
get a feel for the archaeological aspects of the site. All types of modern techniques were used at thesesites to show the excavation clearly, which was brilliant. Nara Palace Site Museum, Osaka Museum ofHistory, the Kanenokuma site, and Fujinoki Tomb display centre use the same concept and give us aflavour of ancient archaeology.

Fig. 20 Showing lifestyles with reduced- and full-scale models. Display centre, Osaka Museum of History

Reduced-scale models can show ancient lifestyles and living patterns. Full-scale models also givevisitors a feel for ancient lifestyles. On our visits to various display centres and museums, we sawthat temples, palaces, warehouses, etc. presented small replica models to help visitors understand andvisualise a particular ancient moment.
To increase interest in history and archaeological sites, there are many archaeological and historical79

kids’ corners found in many museums and display centres. Kids are the future generation, and thesearchaeological kids’ corners help them to know about their own history and cultural habitats.

Fig. 21 Archaeological and historical kids’ corner at Osaka Museum of History and Fujinoki Tomb display

View as an Architect Visiting JapanAs an architect visiting Japan, the displays of museums were especially interesting. Maximum display
showcases are operated by electro-mechanical systems. Using a lighting system on the inner side of
the showcase stimulates the mind, yet doesn’t cause any harm to the relics. The shapes and sizes ofthe showcases are designed to follow the shapes and sizes of the relics, which increases the beautyof any museum. We visited Nara National Museum, Osaka Museum of History and Kyushu National
Museum, all of which feature highly modern architecture.

Fig. 22 Display showcases at Nara National Museum

Nara National Museum

Osaka Museum of History

Kyushu National Museum

Recommendations
After 26 days of training, the course curriculum was very fruitful and essential for us. However, thecourse curriculum was slightly lacking in a number of areas, and if these were overcome, the course
would be more delightful and successful. Therefore, I have some recommendations for this course:

80Building measurement (of both wooden and brick structures) should be added to the course curriculum,
for a duration of more than three days.
Documentation of artefacts should cover more than four days, which would be much more effective
for the participants; two days training was not sufficient.
Many types of display centres and display arrangements were shown to us, but it would be more
effective for the participants to show display arrangements that they will implement in their own
displays.
Overall, the total duration of the course should be a minimum of two months for proper training,
because with only a short time for training, it is necessary to skip many things.
We are glad to hear that you have a plan to give us such type of training in our country. I have a
proposal by which you can give this training in three phases:
1st phase Documentation of artefacts and building measurements
2nd phase Salinity problems and chemical conservation
3rd phase Display design in various display centres and museums
If you accept this proposal, it will certainly help our department and enrich our people.
Finally, I would like to say that after taking the training we have enriched our professional skills in
the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. We are grateful to ACCU Nara for giving us an
opportunity to take such training.

81V. Appendix
1. List of Participants
2. List of Lecturers and Interpreters

Appendix

3. Staff Members, ACCU Nara

Osaka-jo Castle and Osaka city1. List of Participants
Md. Ataur Rahman
Regional Director

Office of the Regional Directorate
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs
F-4/A, Agargoan, Administrative Area,
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207
Tel : (+880) 2-9110623
dr.rahmanarchaeology@yahoo.com
Mohammad Golam Fardaush
Field Officer

Office of the Regional Directorate
Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Divisional Museum Mojid Sarani, Khulna
Tel : (+880) 41-730136-7
archaeologykhulna@yahoo.com

Khandokar Mahfuz Alam
Assistant Architect

Department of Archaeology
Ministry of Cultural Affairs
F-4/A, Agargoan, Administrative Area,
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207
Tel : (+880) 2-8126817
suman21-buet@hotmail.com

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2. Lecturers and Interpreters■

Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (NNRICP)
2-9-1 Nijo-cho, Nara 630-8577 Japan<Department of Cultural Heritage >NAKAJIMA Yoshiharu, Head, Sites Management Research Section
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6710 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6841 e-mail: y-naka@nabunken.go.jp<Department of Planning & Coordination >ISHIMURA Tomo, Researcher, International Cooperation Section
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6850 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6841 e-mail:tomoishi@nabunken.go.jp
NAKAMURA Ichiro, Official Research Photographer, Photograph Section
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6838 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6859 e-mail:ichiro@nabunken.go.jp
NAKAGAWA Aya, Researcher, Exhibition Section
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6755 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6750 e-mail:nakagawa@nabunken.go.jp
WATANABE Junko, Associate Fellow, Exhibition Section
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6755 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6750 e-mail:watajun@nabunken.go.jp< Department of Imperial Palace Sites Investigations>
SHIBA Kojiro, Researcher, Archaeology Section 1
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6833 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6830 e-mail:shiba@nabunken.go.jp
JINNO Megumi, Chief Researcher, Archaeology Section 2
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6834 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6830 e-mail:jinno@nabunken.go.jp
AOKI Takashi, Researcher, Archaeology Section 2
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6834 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6830 e-mail:aoki@nabunken.go.jp
SHODA Shinya, Researcher, Archaeology Section 2
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6834 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6830 e-mail:shoda@nabunken.go.jp< Center for Archaeological Operations>
WAKIYA Soichiro, Researcher, Conservation Science Laboratory
Tel: (+81) 742 30 6847 Fax: (+81) 742 30 6846 e-mail:wackies@nabunken.go.jp■

Nara National Museum
50 Noborioji-cho, Nara, 630-8213 Japan

ONISHI Seiji, First-class Architect, General Affairs Division
Tel: (+81) 742 22 4457 Fax: (+81) 742 26 7218 e-mail: ohnishi@narahaku.go.jp
NOJIRI Tadashi, Curator of Writings, Curatorial Division
Tel: (+81) 742 22 4460 Fax: (+81) 742 22 7221 e-mail: nojiri@narahaku.go.jp

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TANIGUCHI Kosei, Curator of Painting, Curatorial Division
Tel: (+81) 742 22 4460 Fax: (+81) 742 22 7221 e-mail: nojiri@narahaku.go.jp■

Kyushu National Museum
4-7-2 Ishizaka, Dazaifu City, Fukuoka 818-0118 Japan
Tel: (+81) 92 918 2819

Fax: (+81) 92 918 2821

IMAZU Setsuo, Chief, Museum Science Divisione-mail: imazu@kyuhaku.jp■

Osaka Museum of History
4-1-32 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0008 Japan
Tel: (+81) 6 6946 5728

Fax: (+81) 6 6946 2662

MAMETANI Hiroyuki, Chief, Curatorial Section
mame@mus-his.city.osaka.jp■

Fukuoka Municipal government
1-8-1 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-8620 Japan
Tel: (+81) 92 711 4862 Fax: (+81) 92 733 5537

HISA Yoichiro, Chief, Section for Diffusion of Cultural Property, Cultural Property Departmente-mail:hisa.y01@city.fukuoka.lg.jp
SUGANAMI Masato, Chief, Section for Management of Korokan Archaeological Site
Large Historic Site Section, Cultural Property Department
Tel/Fax: (+81) 92 721 9004 e-mail:suganami.m01@city.fukuoka.lg.jp
MIZUNO Tetsuo, Curator, Section for Diffusion of Cultural Property
Cultural Property Preservation Section, Cultural Property Departmente-mail:mizuno.t02@city.fukuoka.lg.jp■ Oita Municipal Board of Education
2-31 Niage-cho, Oita-city, Oita 870-8504 JapanKAWANO Shiro, Assistant Counsellor, Cultural Property Division, Education Department
Tel: (+81) 97 537 5639 Fax: (+81) 97 536 0435 e-mail:bunkazai@city.oita.oita.jp■ Ikaruga Town Board of Education
1-11-14 Horyuji-nishi, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara 636-0114 JapanHIRATA Masahiko, Chief, Lifelong Learning Department
Cultural Property Preservation Section
Tel: (+81) 745 70 1200 Fax: (+81) 745 70 1201 e-mail:syougai@town.ikaruga.nara.jp87■Interpreters

Uddin Md Mosleh (Bengali ⇔ Japanese)
Fatmi Al Mashroor (Bengali ⇔ Japanese)■

Assisted Organisation and Collaborators

ADACHI Kazuma, Superintendent, Oita Municipal Board of Education

3. Staff Members, ACCU NaraNISHIMURA Yasushi, Director
nishimura@accu.or.jp
TAKAHASHI Wataru, Deputy Director
takahashi@accu.or.jp
KOBAYASHI Ken’ichi, Director, Programme Operation Department
kobayashi@accu.or.jp
WAKIYA Kayoko, Director, International Cooperation Division
wakiya@accu.or.jp
HORIKAWA Kazuko, Chief, Planning & Coordination Divisionhorikawa@accu.or.jp
MIDORIKAWA Aya, Chief, International Cooperation Division
midorikawa@accu.or.jp
NISHIDA Michiko, Staff, Planning & Coordination Divisionnishida@accu.or.jp
SHIMOMURA Nobuhito, Staff, International Cooperation Division
shimomura@accu.or.jp
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office
Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)
757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 Japan
Tel: (+81) 742 20 5001 Fax: (+81) 742 20 5701
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