“The International Conference in Naqada and Qus region’s heritage"
  January 22-28, 2007
   
  CALL FOR PAPERS
                          
  ICOM-CC-Wood, Furniture and Lacquer and the Diocese of Naqada and Qus are pleased to announce an international conference:
   
  NAQADA AND QUS – PAST AND PRESENT:
  HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, INDUSTRIES
   
  The Preliminary suggested venue for the conference: The Centre of the Archangel Michael Monastery in Naqada, located approximately 25 kilometres north of Luxor, Egypt.
   
  "Naqada and Qus – Past and Present" is taken as the organising theme of our conference.
   
  Naqada is situated on the west bank of the Nile north of Luxor, and stood opposite the entrance to the Wadi Hammamat providing direct access to the Red Sea coast and the gold reserves of the eastern desert. Thus Naqada was a prime centre of Predynastic gold trade in the Theben region. The importance of archaeological finds in Naqada has resulted in its name lending itself to the pre-pharaonic periods between 3800-3100 BC, and is called Naqada I, II and III.  The large quantity of finds from Naqada has enabled the dating of the entire culture, throughout Egypt and environs. Naqada maintained its importance throughout the pharaonic period and into the late antiquity period, during which it became inhabited by famous anchorites such as Elias of Mount Bishwaw and Samuel of Mount Banhadab. On the other side of the Nile from Naqada is Qus. It too was important as an entrance to the Wadi Hammamat. During medieval times Qus became the primary commercial centre of trade with
 Africa, and hence was a town of prime importance in Egypt during this period. Today, Qus is the site of a major US/German commercial project to convert the waste products of sugar cane refining into paper products.
   
  We invite papers reflecting research that deal with the history and society of Naqada and Qus, its geography, its archaeology and associated scientific methods and conservation programs, its art and architecture, its literature, and its industries. Papers may deal with any time period from Pre-Historic and Early Dynastic through to the present time, with comparative studies with similar regions, areas, sites, monuments, cases from Egypt and from around the world in the conference themes and items.
   
  In particular, we propose to focus on the following topics (we also welcome any other related topics): 
   
  Ÿ         Geology, geography and urbanisation: with a focus on environmental issues and associated problems with conservation of monuments etc. 
   
  Ÿ         Sacred Space: from pre-historic, through the early dynastic, pharaonic period, the Greco-Roman era, the late antique Christian period, the Islamic, and to the present time: religious and political frameworks and traditions, religious centres and associated building materials/styles; political and religious networks etc. This topic may also include prominent figures throughout history from the region. 
   
  Ÿ         Identities: the cultural identity of this region in comparison to other parts of Egypt from Early Dynastic through to the present, with an emphasis on craft traditions and perceptions: wood, textiles/costume, architecture, pottery, art and other archaeological artefacts. Industries past and present.
   
  Ÿ         Intellectual Landscapes: Visual and oral artistic interaction within the region and beyond: with an emphasis on art, music, dialects and literature and linguistics. 
   
  Ÿ         Archaeological issues: with a focus on the effect of increasing urbanisation, methods of conservation, restoration and preservation of monuments and antiquities, future field-work and scientific methods, legal and ethical issues surrounding the conservation of heritage sites and associated ownership. Implications of the development of tourism in the region.
   
  Abstracts should be 500 words, and submitted in Microsoft Word, by email to:
   
  [log in to unmask] 
   
  With the subject marked “An Abstract for the Naqada & Qus Conference.”  
   
  Please include name, title, institution, contact information, abstract, preferred language for presentation (either English or Arabic) and any projection needs (slides, electronic projection, overheads, etc.). 
   
  Conference languages will be English and Arabic. Based on numbers, simultaneous translation will be considered.
   
  All abstracts should be submitted by July 1, 2006.  All Arabic abstracts must be accompanied by an English translation.
   
  In addition to papers, we also welcome contributions in the form of poster-presentations. 


  The authors of the accepted abstracts will be notified and receive a copy of instruction to authors by July 15, 2006. 
   
  Proceedings will be published after peer review. Authors will be requested to submit their final paper for publication in the conference proceedings. The full papers should be sent by October 1, 2006.
   
  The conference will be combined with a trade-fair and an artistic exhibitions for artists, iconographers, conservation and restoration companies, materials and supplies companies, bookshops and other relevant organisations.
   
  If you wish to contribute to this exhibition, please forward your proposal by email no later than July 15, 2006 to:
  [log in to unmask] 
  With the subject marked “A Proposal for the Naqada & Qus Exhibition.”  
   
  Ÿ         Regarding the artistic exhibitions: please provide together with an abstract of no more than 500 words, a soft-copy of the work/s you wish to exhibit with dimensions and high quality colour photos (about 10x15 cm), in JPEG format, (quality = min. 300 dpi resolution). 
   
  Ÿ         Regarding the trade fair: please provide an abstract of no more than 500 words describing the activities you wish to exhibit and the required equipments, supplies, furnishings and the space needed.
   
  Registration for the conference will be open from August 15, 2006. Further particulars regarding registration will be posted later on. 
   
  If you have any enquiries or need further information, please feel free to contact:
   
  The conference chair:
   
  Dr. Hany Hanna
  Elected Coordinator, ICOM-CC–Wood, Furniture and Lacquer
  General Director, Department of conservation, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), EGYPT.
  Professor, Institute for Coptic Studies in Cairo.
  Email: [log in to unmask]         
  Fax. Nos.: +2-02-4251411, +2-02-4109687
  Mobil No.: +2-012-4176742
    
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