Conservation science (cultural heritage)

With respect to cultural heritage, conservation science is the interdisciplinary study of conservation of art, architecture, and other cultural works through the use of scientific inquiry. General areas of research include the technology and structure of artistic and historic works and the materials and media from which they are made.

Conservation scientists use scientific methods and principles to support work in the fields of art conservation and architectural conservation, and care of cultural objects in museums and other collections. Cultural conservation science work includes identifying the materials that make up a structure or piece of art including their chemical makeup, identifying and cataloging changes that cause deterioration and developing methods to mitigate deterioration of cultural heritage.^[1]

In many countries, including the United Kingdom and Italy, conservation science is considered part of the broader field called 'Heritage Science' which also encompasses scientific aspects less directly related to cultural heritage conservation, as well its management and interpretation. "Conservation Science" also refers to the science that guides conservation of the environment and natural resources.

There are three broad categories of conservation science with respect to cultural heritage: 1) thorough examination and analysis, 2) study of the causes of deterioration, and 3) improving materials and techniques. Conservation science includes aspects of chemistry, physics and biology as well as engineering.^[2]

References

↑ "Defining the Conservator: Essential Competencies" (PDF). American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).
↑ Ward, Phillip (1986). The Nature of Conservation: A Race Against Time. Marina del Rey, CA: Getty Conservation Institute. ISBN 0-941103-00-5.

External links

Conservation-restoration of cultural heritage

Specialties	Antiques restoration Architectural conservation Art conservation Archaeological conservation Book and paper conservation Conservation science (cultural heritage) Heritage science Digital preservation Film preservation Frame conservation Furniture conservation Historic garden conservation Horological conservation Media preservation Metals conservation New media art preservation Object conservation Optical media preservation Paintings conservation Preventive conservation Stained glass conservation Textile conservation

Collections care	Collections care Collections maintenance (museum) Collections management (museum) Collections Management System Collections policy Deaccessioning Documentation of cultural property Emergency response (museum) Found in collection Inherent vice Museum integrated pest management Preservation survey Storage of cultural heritage objects

Conservation-restoration techniques	Anastylosis Conservation and restoration of archaeological sites Conservation and restoration of books, manuscripts, documents and ephemera Conservation and restoration of ceramic objects Conservation and restoration of clocks Conservation and restoration of copper-based objects Conservation and restoration of ivory objects Conservation and restoration of ferrous objects Conservation and restoration of frescos Conservation and restoration of glass objects Conservation and restoration of human remains Conservation and restoration of leather objects Conservation and restoration of metals Conservation and restoration of musical instruments Conservation and restoration of neon objects Conservation and restoration of outdoor artworks Conservation and restoration of outdoor bronze artworks Conservation and restoration of outdoor murals Conservation and restoration of painting frames Conservation and restoration of photographs Conservation and restoration of silver objects Conservation and restoration of shipwreck artifacts Conservation and restoration of textiles Conservation and restoration of time-based media art Conservation and restoration of Tibetan thangkas Conservation and restoration of totem poles Conservation and restoration of vinyl disc records Conservation and restoration of wooden furniture Cradling (art restoration) Detachment of wall paintings Desmet method Historic paint analysis Mass deacidification Mold prevention Paper splitting Preservation metadata Preservation of illuminated manuscripts Radiography of cultural objects Transfer of panel paintings

Collections roles	Art handler Collection manager Conservation scientist Conservator-restorer Conservation technician Curator Mount maker Objects Conservator Paintings conservator Photograph conservator Registrar (museum) Textile conservator

Professional organizations	American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Association of North American Graduate Programs in the Conservation of Cultural Property International Institute for Conservation Guild of Bookworkers Midwest Regional Conservation Guild Western Association for Art Conservation Washington Conservation Guild

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