Donation from the Japanese government to the IAM

The Institute of Archaeology and Museum at BAS received a valuable donation from the Japanese government: equipment for laboratory and field archaeological research as well as audio-visual equipment to the total value of 41 300 000 yens (about US $ 375 000).This donation was made by the Japanese government within the framework of the program for foreign support of cultural projects of leading governmental organizations. The Institute of Archaeology and Museum has applied since 2001 and the project had been annually updated in a close cooperation with the official Japanese authorities. IAM is the only academic organizations in Bulgaria which receives donation to this program.

The archaeologists will work with the new ArcheoSurveyer magnetometer applicable for various archaeological sites. It will be used for precise geophysical surveys preceding the archaeological excavations and providing valuable preliminary information for the archaeologists. The equipment includes also a modern GPS system.

A very important part of the equipment is the infrared video camera, which will be used for the precise documentation of new finds or items of museum collections and their archiving.

The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and the digital microscope will open new possibilities for analyses of archaeological finds in the museum’s laboratories. IAM will have DV camera as well as multimedia equipment for the photo archives.

The adequate use of the new equipment will stimulate the more intensive application of the scientific techniques for obtaining new data about the past as well as the promotion of the archaeological discoveries. Beyond any doubt, the donation will further the development of the archaeology in Bulgaria as well as the Bulgarian-Japanese collaboration in the field of archaeology, and mutual the understanding, revival of the cultural relations and friendship between Bulgaria and Japan.