British Museum To Restore Objects Damaged In Beirut Blast
Sumaira FH Published July 27, 2021 | 02:53 PM
The British Museum will restore eight ancient glass artefacts damaged in last year's Beirut port explosion, the London cultural institution announced on Tuesday
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2021 ) :The British Museum will restore eight ancient glass artefacts damaged in last year's Beirut port explosion, the London cultural institution announced on Tuesday.
The glass vessels were shattered after 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut's port caused a blast that devastated the city on August 4, 2020.
Workers will piece together hundreds of glass fragments at the British Museum's conservation laboratories in London with funding from The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF).
"These objects hold immense historical, artistic and cultural significance. Their return to their rightful form is a powerful symbol of healing and resilience after disaster," said TEFAF chairman Hidde van Seggelen.
The artefacts were held in a case displaying 74 Roman, Byzantine and Islamic-era glass vessels in the American University of Beirut's Archaeological Museum, located 3.2 kilometres (two miles) from the blast.
The explosion caused them to shatter into hundreds of pieces, which were mixed with broken glass from cabinets and windows.
Only 15 vessels were deemed salvageable and eight safe to travel to London for restoration.
Sandra Smith, head of collection care at the British Museum, explained that glass reconstruction is a "delicate process" as shards move out of shape and have to be drawn back under tension.
The vessels, dating back to the first century BC, document the evolution of glass-production technology in Lebanon, with two thought to have been imported from Syria or Egypt.
The works will temporarily go on display at the British Museum before returning to Beirut.
Director Hartwig Fischer said the British Museum's "expertise and resources" would allow the artefacts to be saved and "enjoyed in Lebanon for many more years to come".
The August 2020 blast killed more than 200 people, caused millions of Dollars' worth of damage and forced the Lebanese government to resign, exacerbating the country's health and economic crises.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
Health activists ring alarm bells over 10-stick cigarette pack
DC Matiari chairs emergency meeting to prevent measles epidemic
ACS leads dengue prevention campaign rally
Security plan finalized for by elections in NA 44: DPO
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
Admin accords priority to clean drinking water for citizens: Commissioner
PTI gets court permission to hold rally in NA-119
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique orders completing PIC modular the ..
Deputy Commissioners imposed section 144 for multiple events in Abbottabad, Hari ..
More Stories From World
-
Hindu nationalist Modi the favourite as India votes
36 minutes ago -
French police surround Iran consulate in Paris: security source
47 minutes ago -
Blinken says US 'not involved in any offensive operation'
47 minutes ago -
Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish
1 hour ago -
Sudanese rue shattered dreams as war enters second year
1 hour ago -
Eight killed in Russian strikes
2 hours ago
-
Nagelsmann commits to German team ahead of home Euros
2 hours ago -
Remote Indonesia volcano erupts again after thousands evacuated
2 hours ago -
Kenya Army Chief Francis Ogola among nine others who died in Helicopter crash
2 hours ago -
Migrant rescuers vindicated after Italy court drops trafficking charges
2 hours ago -
Oil prices briefly surge, stocks slide on Iran blasts
2 hours ago -
G7 opposes 'full scale military operation in Rafah'
3 hours ago