Project Description

The eartHeritage Project aims to investigate the sculptural production in clay and stucco that developed across Iraq, Iran, Central Asia, and the north-western Indian subcontinent from about the 3rd century BCE to the 8th century CE. Despite its significance, this tradition, with its wealth of meanings, technical knowledge, and local and trans-regional aspects, remains little known due to the poor preservation of its remains. The political issues affecting some of the areas under investigation pose additional challenges to direct assessment and conservation of the materials, stressing the urgent need for preventive documentation, study, and knowledge sharing.

The Project integrates multidisciplinary and cross-regional approaches, implementing a multifunctional virtual data centre for the collection, preservation, and dissemination of information, as well as for the promotion of research and training. Based on a solid corpus of data and aided by archaeometric analysis, the Project will attempt the reconstruction of iconographic motifs, decorative programmes, and technical aspects of production. The data will be available in a user-friendly digital catalogue and used within the same platform to design a virtual museum where research and dissemination converge.

While research will focus on revitalising the historical and artistic importance of these productions by bringing to light a number of aspects — from the transmission of models to artisan mobility —, dissemination efforts will work towards enhancing the protection of this rich cultural heritage, enabling people to experience its values.

The eartHeritage Project – A Cultural rescue initiative for earthen heritage: An interdisciplinary, diachronic and trans-areal approach to interconnected artistic productions in clay and stucco in Iran, Iraq, Central Asia and the north of the Indian subcontinent is funded by the European Union – NextGeneration EU – Research Project of National Interest (PRIN 2022JL5HLY).