1. The International Committee recognized that: if a newly discovered mosaic is not given immediate protection it will rapidly become destroyed.
   The Committee recommended that:
   a) if a mosaic cannot be provided with adequate protection in situ then it should be reburied.
   b) if permanent protection is provided in situ this should be accompanied by regular maintenance i.e. security, drainage, biological protection etc
   c) if neither of the above can be achieved then the mosaic should be transferred to an adequate store to prevent its destruction.
   
   
2. The International Committee recognized the importance of maintaining a mosaic in its original archaeological context and, aware of the difficulties in ensuring this, recommended that research should be carried out by scientists, conservators and archaeologists in the following areas:
   a) methods of recovery
   b) types of protection
   c) methods of drainage
   d) reinforcement of cements to avoid eruption
   e) biological methods.
   
   Finally, stimulus should be given to each country to the recording of data produced by mosaic conservation.

6th Conference: Nicosia, Cyprus, 1996

The Committee, considering mosaics and ancient floors in general to be an essential part of an archaeological site, undertakes to make them known to a wider public and to ensure that, fragile as this heritage is, it can be passed onto future generations.

1. It recommends that professionals quantify the area and state of preservation of mosaics on each site (mosaics in situ, uncovered, re-covered, lifted, on display in museum, etc.) in order to establish priorities in treatment.
2. It acknowledges that mosaics of interest to the public should be preserved in situ whenever possible, which requires that directors of sites allocate them the requisite financial means and attention so as to ensure their maintenance and survival.
3. It acknowledges that conservation in situ (without lifting) is the method that best respects the original context of the mosaics, and recommends the use of techniques compatible with the nature of ancient materials.
   

7th Conference: Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Arles, France, 1999

The Committee, considering mosaics and ancient floors in general to be an essential part of an archaeological site, undertakes to make them known to a wider public and to ensure that, fragile as this heritage is, it can be passed onto future generations. The Committee recommends that:

1. Programmes for conserving and presenting mosaics should be designed according to a global project.
2. This project should be based on: active co- operation of archaeologists, conservators, architects, administrators and the general public.
3. The fundamental premise of the preservation of mosaics is conservation in situ and/or its context.
4. The choice of the intervention must be based on: complete documentation prior to intervention; minimal intervention; a plan of long-term maintenance; documentation of all interventions and maintenance operations.

The participants:

1. Recognizing that the creation of ICCM in 1977 by ICCROM has encouraged the research and given inspiration to professionals (conservators, archaeologists, curators, researchers, etc) dealing with mosaics;
2. Recognizing that the activities of the ICCM through the exchange of ideas, publications, conferences, etc, have contributed to the knowledge, understanding, study and safeguard of mosaics, as well as to the way mosaics are sheltered/ protected and exhibited to the public;
3. Taking into account that for 25 years all this work has been done on a totally voluntary basis by a small group of professionals with no permanent base;
4. Recognize the dedication and exceptional achievement of these professionals and,
   ask the ICCM board to act promptly to find a way of establishing a permanent base for the committee, thus enabling it to be more active, to have a larger audience and influence, and to create an archive.

In this way the ICCM will be able to contribute further to the study and safeguard of these exceptional but endangered educational, cultural and artistic creations, characteristic of the Mediterranean region.

The participants:

1. Taking into consideration the great need for maintenance of mosaics in situ, in the open air or under shelters, encourage the managers of archaeological sites to select pavements of a minimum surface of 100 sq.m., to systematically measure the cost of their maintenance for public presentation during the next three years, and to present the results at the next ICCM conference, in 2008.
2. Recognizing the existence of numerous training programs in conservation in a number of countries, suggest that a feasibility study is carried out in order to identify the training needs specific to the Mediterranean, and to launch a coordinated effort for improving the level of professionals in the field of conservation.