China offers to send experts to repair vandalized terracotta warrior statue in US

The Chinese custodians of a 2,200-year-old statue of the world-renowned terracotta warriors on loan to a US museum are calling for the man accused of stealing the statue’s thumb to be punished by the full extent of the law.

Iran Should Use Foreign Funds to Save Mideast’s Largest Salt Lake

Head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization (IEPO) Isa Kalantari said the country should use foreign funds to save Lake Oroumiyeh, the largest saltwater lake in the Middle East.

FAO to Help Iran in Revival of World's Largest Lake

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations voiced readiness to participate in Orumiyeh Lake Restoration Program.

Damage from massive sinkhole repaired in one week in Japan

A Japanese city has reopened a busy street that collapsed into a giant sinkhole, after workers laboured around the clock for a week to repair the damage.

Fukushima plant cleanup costs, compensation may rise by 8 tril. yen

An industry group has estimated costs for decontamination work at the disaster-struck Fukushima nuclear plant and compensation for nuclear damage to be around 8 trillion yen ($77.10 billion) more than the current official projection, a source close to the matter said Thursday.

China investigates paved Great Wall section

Following media reports that a section of the Great Wall in northeast China had been paved, the state cultural heritage watchdog on Thursday said investigators have been sent to verify the reports and carry out an investigation.

China to help Myanmar renovate quake-hit ancient pagodas

A Chinese archeological expert team will help Myanmar renovate quake-hit ancient pagodas and temples in Bagan, an ancient city in central Myanmar, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang told a press conference here on Wednesday.

UNESCO: Archaeological sites of Palmyra still retain much of their authenticity

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced on Wednesday that the ancient city of Palmyra preserves had suffered significant damage at the hands of ISIS terrorist, but that the archaeological sites retain much of their authenticity.

UNESCO approved a Russian resolution on the restoration of Palmyra

The Executive Board of UNESCO approved the proposed by Russia resolution on the issue of conservation and restoration of Palmyra and other cultural sites in Syria. As reported TASS in the Secretariat of an international organization, the initiative was approved unanimously.

Turkey denies 'damage' claims surrounding ancient mosaics

 Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik denied on Wednesday recent media claims that ancient mosaics were damaged during restoration at a museum in the southern province of Hatay.

Turkish company blames French after ‘botched’ mosaic restoration

A Turkish company has claimed at least 10 Roman mosaics, held in the world’s second largest mosaic museum in Turkey’s southern city of Antakya in the province of Hatay, were not actually damaged, but are now even in even better condition than the previous restoration conducted by French experts.

Ancient mosaics seriously damaged during restoration in Turkey’s Hatay

At least 10 mosaics, held in the world’s second largest mosaic museum in Turkey’s southern city of Antakya, were seriously damaged during restoration, a local newspaper has reported.

One third of world soils degraded (FAO)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that a third of all soils are degraded, due to erosion, compaction, soil sealing, soil organic matter and nutrient depletion, acidification, pollution and other processes caused by unsustainable land management practices.

Mayor of Rhodes says may restore Colossus

Scientists will discuss possible restoration of Colossus of Rhodes – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Rhodes Mayor Fotis Chatzidiakos told Agence France-Presse.

The possibility of restoring the 31-meter statue will be discussed during a special conference that will take place on the island in 2015. “We have always considered restoring the Colossus. However, it is important to discuss the details of possible reconstruction with scientists,” Chatzidiakos noted.

Minister proposes restoration of Rome's Colosseum arena floor

Italy's culture minister has backed a proposal to rebuild the floor of Rome's Colosseum, allowing visitors to stand in the arena where gladiators once fought.

In ancient times, a wooden floor covered with sand was built on top of tunnels through which animals, fighters or performers were brought into the arena. For more than a century, this underground structure has been exposed.

Italian archaeologist Daniele Manacorda suggested in July that a floor should be put back in the Colosseum.

Part of Vasari Corridor roof collapses in Florence. Restoration work has begun on the historic walkway, after plaster and tiles fall over the weekend

Florence' Vasari Corridor, theartnewspaper.com

Emergency restoration work started today on a section of Florence’s famous Vasari Corridor, after some plaster and tiles fell from the roof on Friday. The damage occurred in the section of the raised corridor that passes next to the church of Santa Felicita, just over the Ponte Vecchio, on the south side of the river Arno.
It is reported that no one was hurt, and museum professionals are already establishing the best course of action to restore the damage to the building. Around ten portraits have been removed from the walls as a precaution while restoration work begins, but the popular tourist site will remain open.