the role of science in the care of cultural heritage

The role of science in the care of cultural heritage

Mary F. StriegelChief, Materials Conservation

Cultural resources are subjected to many agents of deterioration.

As a result, many are lost everyday due to poor maintenance, disasters, destruction, or decay

Cultural Resource Managers and Preservationists serve as stewards.

Challenge: Making informed decisions without researched facts.

Sound decisions based on scientific knowledge.

Understand how science can guide preservation.

CulturalResource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

The Analyst:Understand Materials

Cultural Resource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

Case #1: Study of metal composition

pXRF provides chemical fingerprints

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

keV

16RR1_anglesheet_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_block_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_foldsheet_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_hand_11-5-08_40kV

16RR1_lipped_11-5-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet1_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet2_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet4_11-6-08_40KV

16RR1_sheet5_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet6_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet7_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet8_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_sheet_11-5-08_40kV

16RR1_shortstrip_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_strip_11-5-08_40kV

16RR1_tip_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_tube1_11-6-08_40kV

16RR1_tube2_11-6-08_40KV

Ca

Si

Ba

Fe

Fe

Ca

KS

Cu Cu

ClP

Rh k backscatter

Pb

Pb

As

Cu sum peaks

Sr

Br

40 kV

Understand the object

The Interpreter:Introduces new technologies

Cultural Resource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

Case #2: Creation of 3D models of basketry

Laser, Photogrammetry, RTI

Create virtual model

The Evaluator:Compare treatments

Cultural Resource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

Case #3: Study products to clean grave markers

Test products/evaluate results

Recommend best practices

The R&D Investigator:Define Decay Mechanisms

Cultural Resource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

Case #4: Decay of Granite

Recreate environment in the lab

Develop new treatments

CulturalResource

Analyst

Interpreter

Teacher

Product Evaluator

Technical Specialist

R&D Investigator

Mary StriegelEmail: Phone: Web: ncptt.nps.govFacebook: facebook.com/ncpttTwitter: twitter.com/ncpttFlickr: flickr.com/photos/ncpttmedia