The Journal of Knowledge Conservation and Restoration is affiliated with the Research Center for Conservation and Restoration.
Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics (RCCCR)
The first lab-workshop for the restoration of historical objects in Iran was established around the year 1879 (late 19th century AD) in Susa Castle by French archaeologists. The basic foundation of the National Museum of Iran (1917 AD) was established in one of the rooms of the Dar al-Funun school, along with the Antiquities Department (1918 AD). This eventually led to the founding of the General Department of Archeology in 1928 AD, as well as the formulation and approval of the Antiquities Law in 1930 AD. The issue of conserving historical remains was then put on the agenda.
Necessary measures to create a laboratory and workshop for the conservation and restoration of historical monuments began with the training of Iranian restorers by ISMEO and the establishment of the National Organization for the Conservation of Ancient Antiquities in 1965 AD. UNESCO provided a number of tools, equipment, and laboratory materials, including a flame spectrometer, to the Archaeological Organization and the Museum of Ancient Iran to help take the initial steps towards creating a restoration laboratory. The first restoration laboratory started operating in 1972, hiring two chemists, a physics expert, and two pottery restorers in the basement of the Iranian Archeology Center. Since 1990, it has operated under the title of the Central Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Heritage (CRLC), undertaking research projects, conservation, and restoration work on historical-cultural materials, as well as providing training and human resources. In 1995, the laboratory expanded its scope of activity and became the Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Heritage (RCCCH). In 2004, with the separation of the Research Institute from the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, the Research Center was renamed the Research Institute for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Relics. In 2005, with the transfer to a new building (the current building), the Research Center's facilities and scope of activities gradually expanded. Currently, the Research Center consists of four research groups: Conservation and Restoration of Objects, Materials Science and Technology, Deterioration Processes, and Archaeometry and Natural Sciences.
The main duties and responsibilities include:
- Conducting fundamental and applied research to understand the technical characteristics of historical and artistic objects and the evolution of ancient technologies.
- Collaboration with relevant departments to complement archaeological findings with laboratory research.
- Conducting chronology projects of cultural-historical objects using the latest scientific-research methods.
- Studying and conducting basic and applied conservation and restoration research to understand the environment around objects and their deterioration processes.
- Supporting museums and executive units in the restoration, maintenance, and conservation of cultural-historical objects.
- Investigating conservation and restoration priorities and cooperating with executive departments in preserving and displaying cultural heritage.
The general approach of the Research Center in performing these tasks includes:
- Utilize scientific, research, and executive capacities in the country.
- Applying modern methods and technologies in the study, conservation, and restoration of historical monuments.
- Improving the specialized knowledge of experts in conservation and restoration.
- Increasing public awareness and institutionalizing the conservation of works.
- Supporting student theses related to conservation and restoration.
- Creating databases related to conservation and restoration.
- Collaborating in setting up and equipping conservation and restoration laboratory and workshop networks in the country.
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