Heritage Science

Conveners:

Lorraine Gibson, University of Strathclyde, UK

Jim Tate, National Museums Scotland, UK

Programme:

Wednesday 5 August (afternoon)

Keynote Speaker

Heritage science: policies, definitions and networks
Jan Wouters, Consultant Conservation Scientist, Belgium

Speakers

Heritage Science in the United Kingdom: Where has it come from? Where is it going?
May Cassar, AHRC/EPSRC Programme Director for Science and Heritage, UK

Heritage science at Nuzi: a collaborative approach
Katherine Eremin, Harvard Art Museum, USA

Mark Rothko's murals: materials and their implications
Jens Stenger, Harvard Art Museum, USA

Non-destructive characterisation of iron gall ink drawings: not such a galling problem anymore
Matija Strlic, Centre for Sustainable Heritage, University College London

Symposium Information

In November 2007 the House of Lords published the outcome of a review by members of their Science and Technology Committee entitled 'Science and Heritage'. The result of a year of consultation, interviews and data gathering were drawn together in a succinct and lucid report summarised in a number of recommendations. The report, by highlighting so clearly the scope and importance that good science plays in the elucidation and preservation of cultural heritage, has created the most positive change: an area of research that developed over the second half of the 20th century, has suddenly been moved into the limelight thanks to the combined vision and investment of the AHRC and the EPSRC.

This symposium offers the opportunity to make the significance of Heritage Science and its relationship with many of the mainstream science disciplines clear to a wider scientific community. It will feature a keynote lecture by Dr Jan Wouters, a chemist with wide experience in the field and publications that have contributed significantly both to art-historical understanding and to improved conservation processes.

Papers are invited to enhance the formal session and provoke further interdisciplinary discussion and new initiatives in Heritage Science.