We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of John Hurd, a member of our Senior Advisory Board and a renowned conservator from the United Kingdom with over three decades of field experience in Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, and the Silk Road.
John Hurd was President of the Advisory Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). John also served as a senior conservation consultant to UNESCO on the Silk Roads cities of Central Asia, chaired the ICOMOS UK National Earth Committee from 1994-2000, and was elected as President of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for Earthen Architectural Heritage in 2006.
John worked for Global Heritage Fund in two major field projects since 2004 at the historic city site of Ani in Eastern Turkey and in the conservation and revitalization of the Historic City of Kars. One of the top global experts on conservation of earthen architecture, he received a BSc in the Geology of Clays, a Conservation Science Diploma and an ‘Objects’ higher National Diploma, and worked on the conservation of earth structures, both standing and archaeological for over 20 years. His work extended from Europe to Central Asia and China by the mid 1990s. A devoted Buddhist with an adventurous spirit, John was also a good friend and mentor to those of us at Global Heritage Fund who has had the honor to work alongside him.
His dedication to conservation and heritage protection will be sorely missed, and we extend our deepest condolences to John’s family and friends.
Photo Credit Xiaofan Huang