Two messages from the aftermath of a botched restoration; one positive and one not

According to an article in the January 25, 2016 issue of The New York Times (“Egyptian Officials Face Tribunal for Damaging Mask”, by Declan Walsh), eight Egyptian museum officials have been suspended from their jobs and face permanent dismissal  as well as fines  after having been charged with negligence and violation of scientific and professional rules in connection with the 2011 repair of the burial mask of King Tutankhamen. That repair, made with epoxy, and attempts to remove the epoxy   left the artifact with permanent damage.  Eventually, the epoxy was removed and the mask repaired correctly  by German conservators.   One positive message we get from this sad occurrence is that conservation is now taken seriously in Egypt.   Another message—not at all positive—is that Egypt lacks trained conservators who are able to care for its cultural heritage.