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Frank Matero
Frank Matero
Frank Matero, Director of the Architectural Conservation Laboratory, University of
Pennsylvania, is head of the conservation program at the site. Çatalhöyük presents many
challenges for stabilizing, removing, and preserving the often extremely fragile remains of
structures, paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts which have not been exposed to the
sun and dry winds of Anatolia for 8,000 to 10,000 years. But the significance of the art and
architecture of what may be the world's first city makes conservation extremely important
for the success of the entire project.