ACTIVE PROJECTS
Here you鈥檒l find a series of posts providing an overview of active projects by ASOR鈥檚 Cultural Heritage Initiatives through support from public and private sources.
Cyrene Conservation Initiative
The Cyrene Conservation Initiative is a 12-month conservation and heritage education project at the World Heritage Site of Cyrene in eastern Libya developed in collaboration with the Libyan Department of Antiquities (DOA). The project is a direct response to the effects of catastrophic flooding from Storm Daniel in September 2023 on the iconic Sanctuary of Apollo terrace and the adjacent Valley Street access route. During this storm, sustained flooding down Valley Street and into the eastern half of the Sanctuary of Apollo terrace resulted in deep trenching into unexcavated archaeological strata, damage to standing archaeological remains and the access path, and the mass deposition of dislocated stone, soil, and archaeological materials into the terrace area.
With an award from the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, 17吃瓜is supporting critical site security and infrastructure improvements at the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum. Working in coordination with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), 17吃瓜will expand safe access to the property, with a focus on rebuilding the damaged enclosure wall and making priority repairs to the electrical, water, and sewage systems. This project will lay essential groundwork to support NCAM鈥檚 ongoing efforts to restore functionality to the Sudan National Museum complex.
For many, the name Tatooine evokes the arid landscape of the desert planet that plays such an important role in the 鈥淪tar Wars鈥� universe. However, the iconic places and landscapes of this fictional world are built upon the very real history, culture, and environment of Tunisia鈥檚 Tataouine Governorate. Since October 2024, 17吃瓜and its partners at the Douiret Women鈥檚 Association (Wakry Association) have been working to preserve Ksar Douiret, one of the most iconic ksars, or fortified villages, in Tataouine Governorate, with support from the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.