- 3-day hands-on training provided for heritage stone surface cleaning
The Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums (DAAM), Madhya Pradesh, is making significant progress in heritage conservation through knowledge-building initiatives. In collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Bhopal Chapter, DAAM organized a three-day hands-on workshop titled “Heritage Stone Surface Cleaning” that eoncluded on August 8. This workshop aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods for stone surface cleaning, a vital aspect of heritage preservation.
This pioneering workshop was the first of its kind in Madhya Pradesh, focusing exclusively on scientific techniques for manual and mechanical stone cleaning. The inaugural session featured notable attendees, including Urmila Shukla, Commissioner of DAAM, and Madan Mohan Upadhyay, Convenor of INTACH Bhopal Chapter. Urmila Shukla emphasized the necessity of scientific approaches in conservation, stating, “This workshop will help strengthen our approach and enhance our work.”
The three-day program combined theoretical sessions and practical demonstrations. On the first day, experts from INTACH’s Art and Material Heritage Division conducted sessions on stone typology and conservation techniques. The second day was dedicated to hands-on demonstrations of various cleaning methods, including chemical processes.
Presentation given by German company
The final day featured a presentation by Kärcher, a leading German cleaning technology company, showcasing advanced machinery for stone cleaning.
The workshop fostered active participation from conservation contractors, archaeology students, and tourism officials, culminating in a collective commitment to adopt systematic and scientifically sound methods for preserving stone heritage.
