2026 Greece Zakynthos: Introduction to the Conservation of Textiles Artifacts (4 US Semester Credits Units)

Location: Zakynthos, Greece

Season: May 24, 2026 to June 7, 2026

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://anthroctr.org/program/2026-greece-zakynthos-textiles/

Discount for AIA members: None

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Anthropocene Research Center & Balkan Heritage Foundation

Project Director:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Christos Karydis (Ionian University, Greece) & Dr. Angela Pencheva (Balkan Heritage Foundation, Bulgaria)

Project Description:

The program provides students with intensive training in ethnographic textile conservation. This program is designed for students who are considering a career in conservation and provides focused, in depth training for the study, conservation, preservation, mounting, and reconstruction of one type of ethnographic artifact – textiles. This is a hands-on program, and we will cover both theory and practice of textile conservation.

Students will be guided through the history and technology of ecclesiastical, historical, and ethnographic textiles and consequent stages of their study, conservation, and documentation. While most textiles are made with organic materials (cotton, wool, flax, etc), some include the use of metal wires (gold, silver, copper, etc). This program will train students to engage with textiles with both organic and inorganic components.

Students will explore the principles of material conservation, including methods and theories. To better understand structure and materials, students will learn how to use analytical instruments, including optical microscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Students will learn how to operate and interpret results.

During the program, students will work with authentic and replicas of textiles of various types and sizes. This program takes place at the labs of the Department of the Environment at the Ionian University, on the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Period(s) of Occupation: Late Antiquity

Notes:
Tuition is $4,568; Earn 4 Semester Credit Units (equivalent to 6 Quarter Credit Units) through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Full session

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Experience Required: There are no prerequisites for participation in this field school but note that conservation work requires good manual dexterity skills and ability to carry out delicate bench work. Students will receive hands-on training in conservation work and will spend most of the time learning how to conserve paper, textiles, and metals in a lab setting. Students will be taught how to use a variety of laboratory procedures and equipment – from microscopes to analytical instruments. Conservation work is slow and may be tedious. It requires patience and focus. This is an intensive course so we will cover basic and advanced elements of conservation of organic and inorganic ethnographic textiles.

Room and Board Arrangements:
This program provides accommodations & breakfast during weekdays only. Students are responsible for all other meals. There are plenty inexpensive and mid-range local restaurants at Zakynthos that offer a typical three-course Greek meal.

Academic Credit:
Earn 4 Semester Credit Units (equivalent to 6 Quarter Credit Units) through our School of Record – Culver Stockton College