A School for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Iran

In 2024 The Council for British Archaeology and CIfA's Early Careers Special Interest Group ran an online conference for early career archaeologists and heritage specialists to share their interests and research. The conference was delivered during Youth Day sponsored by the Royal Archaeological Institute as part of the CBA Festival of Archaeology.
Speaker: Mona Jamadi
Blurb: Cultural heritage has always been vulnerable throughout history, and there is unanimous agreement on the need for its protection. In this regard, raising people's awareness stands out as a critical element in understanding and preserving cultural heritage. Acknowledged as the most crucial audience in cultural heritage conservation knowledge, children - as integral members of society - exert significant influence on family members. Strengthening the interaction between children and cultural heritage complexes can foster a meaningful correlation between the historical and contemporary civilisation of the region.
I defended my master's thesis on the topic of recognising cultural heritage among children. After that, in 2015, I established a non-governmental institution called Maan School in Iran, which consists of a team specialised in the fields of archaeology, conservation and restoration of historical buildings and textures, child psychology, educational sciences and dramatic literature. They design activities and games utilising modern educational techniques and communication methods with children, relying on scientific theories such as William Glasser's choice theory and Howard Gardner's model of multiple intelligences.
At 'Maan School', the main focus is on designing game-based workshops that centre on collaborative and interactive activities. We have provided an opportunity for children to visit collections of cultural heritage such as archaeological sites for play and exploration; we aim to encourage them to innovate using their creativity and cognitive abilities while also forming lasting memories. Through this approach, children are prompted to seek answers to their questions, embarking on a journey to discover the correct solutions. Each step they take in this process contributes to the creation of a new, indelible image within their quality world, thereby nurturing a deeper appreciation for heritage preservation.
This hands-on, experiential learning not only fosters a sense of connection to their cultural legacy but also aids in the development of problem-solving skills and thinking. In this way, children will be eager to interact with cultural heritage and treat it respectfully.