Some points of interest: Haytham

I’m going to mention the most important points from all that I have learnt, and those which I would like to see implement in my work in the future:

a) I learnt a great deal about the work which goes into object management, from registration, cleaning and maintaining, archiving – all done using modern techniques. This extends to the way the objects are perceived and studied as well.

b) The practical considerations of museum administration and human resources, such as jobs and liaising between departments are things I believe will help us in our relaunch of the Palestinian Institute of Archaeology.

c) Studying and seeing some of the best photos of Jerusalem during the Ottoman Period, which will help scholars to understand the conditions of the churches and mosques from that date, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock.

d) I learnt many things about managing Fund Raising projects and the financial issues that all museums face – especially in the current economic climate.

e) I gained more knowledge of the Levant through sessions in the Department of Middle East with Dr Jonathan Tubb – these enriched my knowledge and helped me to approach the topic from a new perspective

f) Having visited the Roman baths in Bath, I feel that I have a better understanding of Roman technologies and feel that this will help me interpret Roman sites in Palestine.

I would also like to say thank you to everyone in Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, and to Venetia Porter at the British Museum.

Haytham