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