The Institute for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties (ICP) was established at Kansai University in 2008. This project was selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Strategic Project to Support the Formation of Research Bases at Private Universities. Research has begun at the ICP with a five-year plan that lasts until 2012.

The goal of this project – which is mainly focused on cultural properties from Ancient Egypt – is carrying out multifaceted research on methods of preserving, restoring, and making practical use of cultural properties. This research studies Egyptian and other historical sites, as well as cultural properties throughout the world, based on the results of work done to restore mural paintings in the underground burial chamber of Idout in the Saqqara region of Egypt.

The members of the ICP include experts in the fields of Egyptology, restoration science of cultural properties, natural history, classical studies, urban planning, geotechnical engineering, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and high polymer chemistry. Activities are carried out in four groups: the Geotechnical Engineering Group, the Conservation and Restoration Group, the Culture and Town Group, and the Technology Development Group.