Conservation Science For The Cultural Heritage

Conservation Science is a rather innovative application of instrumental analysis with steadily increasing importance. Although the first attempts for preserving material from the cultural heritage on a scientific basis are found in the 19th century pioneer chemistry years, only the use of sophisticated physicochemical techniques results in effective identification and deterioration studies of monuments and objects, and in reliable intervention procedures. This volume allows to gain solid knowledge and improved skills on the ways separation schemes and diagnostic methodologies are applied in the safeguarding and authentication of tangible works of art; as well as on the modes of implementing novel safeguarding practices built on well-established principles – such as the use of laser in the decontamination of objects. All techniques are covered at a state-of-the-art level; while selected applications permit addressing major groups of materials and artefacts. Conservation Science is nowadays taught at master’s level in all developed countries, and museum laboratories increasingly adopt scientific approaches in their restoration initiatives. The book is intended as a valuable tool for students and professionals active in these frames. In addition, it provides an indispensable manual for participants in the specialized intensive courses, which are systematically offered by the authors under the auspices of the relevant European network.

The legacy of physical artifacts as well as intangible attributes of a society that have been inherited from past generations is referred to as cultural heritage. Conservation science for cultural heritage refers to the study of conservation of art, technical art history and other cultural works using scientific inquiry. The research areas of this field include the technology and structure of artistic and historical works. It also studies the materials and techniques by which cultural, artistic and historic objects are made. It contributes to the fields of art conservation and architectural conservation by providing scientific methods and principles for the maintenance of cultural objects in museums and other collections. It identifies the materials that make up a piece of art including their chemical makeup. It is also concerned with the identification of changes that cause decline and develop methods to minimize the decline of cultural heritage. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of conservation science for cultural heritage. It consists of contributions made by international experts. This book will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

From 2nd to 5th October 2012 an International Congress on Science and Technology for the conservation of Cultural Heritage was held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, organized by the Universidade of Santiago de Compostela on behalf of TechnoHeritage Network. The congress was attended by some 160 participants from 10 countries, which presented a total of 145 contributions among plenary lectures, oral, and poster communications. The congress was dedicated to eight topics, namely (1) Environmental assessment and monitoring (pollution, climate change, natural events, etc.) of Cultural Heritage; (2) Agents and mechanisms of deterioration of Cultural Heritage (physical, chemical, biological), including deterioration of modern materials used in Contemporary Art and information storage; (3) Development of new instruments, non invasive technologies and innovative solutions for analysis, protection and conservation of Cultural Heritage; (4) New products and materials for conservation and maintenance of Cultural Heritage; (5) Preservation of industrial and rural heritage from the 19th and 20th centuries; (6) Security technologies, Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems for protection and management of Cultural Heritage; (7) Significance and social value of Cultural Heritage; and (8) Policies for conservation of Cultural Heritage. This volume publishes a total of ninety-three contributions which reflect some of the most recent responses to the challenge of cultural assets conservation.

In Kenya, cultural and natural heritage has a particular value. Its pre-historic heritage not only tells the story of man's origin and evolution but has also contributed to the understanding of the earth's history: fossils and artefacts spanning over 27 million years have been discovered and conserved by the National Museums of Kenya (NMK). Alongside this, the steady rise in the market value of African art has also affected Kenya. Demand for African tribal art has surpassed that for antiquities of Roman, Byzantine, and Egyptian origin, and in African countries currently experiencing conflicts, this activity invariably attracts looters, traffickers and criminal networks. This book brings together essays by heritage experts from different backgrounds, including conservation, heritage management, museum studies, archaeology, environment and social sciences, architecture and landscape, geography, philosophy and economics to explore three key themes: the underlying ethics, practices and legal issues of heritage conservation; the exploration of architectural and urban heritage of Nairobi; and the natural heritage, landscapes and sacred sites in relation to local Kenyan communities and tourism. It thus provides an overview of conservation practices in Kenya from 2000 to 2015 and highlights the role of natural and cultural heritage as a key factor of social-economic development, and as a potential instrument for conflict resolution

Conservation of artefacts and heritage materials is an increasingly popular and fascinating area, spanning both historical and scientific disciplines. Materials come in many forms ranging from sunken ships to tapestries, from buildings to books. With this wide range of matrices and materials to analyse and preserve, an interdisciplinary approach is needed drawing upon skills from many areas of knowledge. Conservation Science: Heritage Materials links these fields of research together forming a comprehensive text book that discusses analytical aspects, wall paintings, organic and inorganic materials. It provides up to date information on subjects including research on decay and degradation and an understanding of the deterioration mechanisms of historic and artistic works. Also included are a number of case studies of particularly important finds including the upkeep of the Mary Rose and the preservation of the sail on Nelsons ship HMS Victory. This book provides an essential guide and reference source for those working in all areas of heritage conservation.

The scientific analysis of cultural heritage materials poses specific and often difficult analytical challenges. This book attempts to rationalize the links between the most commonly asked questions in archaeology, art history, and conservation with the potential answers resulting from the vast array of scientific techniques presently available.

This historico-technical journal was founded in 2001. Published yearly, in the course of the years the journal has entered the international stage with the name "Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage", and it is now published in English and in Italian, both in electronic format and on print. It is featured on many websites and international databases, it has been granted the opportunity to apply the Creative Commons (CC) licence and the "seal" of SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resource Coalition), and it has been officially requested by EBSCO Publishing and H.W. Wilson Company to be part of their platforms. Since 2011, it has been edited by Mimesis Edizioni (Milano-Udine). The Advisory Committee is made of experts of various competences and cultural backgrounds. The journal publishes experimental studies and research that are historical, technical, diagnostic-analytical, normative, managerial and economico-financial in nature, related to the problems of safeguarding and valorising cultural and environmental heritage within interdisciplinary and internationalist fields. Briefly put, the aims pursued are scientific, institutional and communicational, so that the quality of information can reflect the "truth" of science and the "clarity" of communication.