such as paintings, sculpture, works of art on paper, books and manuscripts, textiles, architecture, archaeological material, or ethnographic objects, or in a field of study, such as preventive care, art transport, installation and storage, or the history of artists’ materials and methods. Collaboration with related fields, such as conservation science, computer science and digital imaging, museum curatorship, exhibition design, or archival studies, is increasingly critical to the successful practice of conservation and enriches the profession accordingly. Students gain expertise in conservation of cultural artifacts and artworks from a variety of New York City's public and private museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Whitney Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and nearby galleries, private collections, auction houses, historic properties, and private conservation studios. Excavations The institute undertakes excavations at Aphrodisias, Turkey; the Sanctuary of the Gods in Samothrace; at Abydos, Egypt; and Selinunte, Italy. Abydos, Egypt In collaboration with Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania, the IFA is engaged in a long-term archeological study of the history of the significant site of Abydos in southern Egypt. Abydos is known as the burial place of Egypt's first kings, and later became the primary cult place of the god Osiris, ruler of the Land of the Dead. The excavations aim to build a comprehensive understanding of the ancient activities at the site, how its operations and meaning evolved over time, and its relation to the broader context of Egyptian history and culture. Samothrace, Greece Since 1938, the IFA has worked in the Sanctuary of the Gods in Samothrace, Greece, uncovering the home of its famous mystery cult with a series of great marble buildings, dedicated by Philip II and his successors, and seminal in the formation of Hellenistic architecture. At this stage, the project's emphasis is on study and preparation of publications, as well as conservation. Selinunte, Italy Selinunte was famous throughout the Classical world for the richness of its farmland and monumental temples. It enjoyed a prosperous existence from the second half of the seventeenth century BCE through the middle of the third century BCE, and its sanctuaries, temples, fortifications, and houses are well preserved. In 2007, the IFA began its excavation on the Acropolis of Selinunte in western Sicily, focusing on the area of the main urban sanctuary of the ancient Greek colony. The excavations document the social