---
title: "Conservation science (cultural property)"
chunk: 4/4
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_science_(cultural_property)"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:55:04.570765+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

=== Physical forces ===
Physical forces are any interaction with an object that changes its current state of motion. Physical forces can cause a range of damage from small cracks and fissures to complete destruction or disintegration of material. The level of damage is dependent on the brittleness or hardness of the object's material and the magnitude of the force being inflicted. Impact, shock, vibration, pressure, and abrasion are a few examples of physical forces that can have adverse effects on material culture. Physical forces can occur from natural disasters like earthquakes, working forces like handling, cumulative forces like gravity, or low-level forces like building vibrations. During an object's risk assessment, the material properties of the object will inform the necessary steps (i.e. building, housing, and handling) that need to take place to mitigate the effects of physical forces.

=== Theft and vandalism ===
Theft, the removal of an asset, and vandalism, the deliberate destruction or disfigurement of an asset, are directly controlled and limited by the security measures put in place at a cultural institution. Conservation science can aid in the authentication or identification of stolen objects. In addition, the research of the field can help inform decisions as to the best course of action repair, minimize, or mitigate damage from vandalism.

=== Dissociation ===
Dissociation is the loss of an object, its associated data, or its value due to outside influence. Adherence to proper policies and procedures is the best defense against dissociation and as such, meticulous record keeping is the basis for all good practice. Conservation science aids in the authentication or identification of misplaced objects and detailed records of all past, present, and future study is necessary for the prevention of dissociation.

== Methods ==

There are a variety of methods used by conservation scientists to support work in the fields of art conservation, architectural conservation, cultural heritage, and care of cultural objects in museums and other collections. In addition to the use of specialized equipment, visual inspections are often the first step in order to look for obvious signs of damage, decay, infilling, etc.
Prior to any type of scientific analysis, detailed documentation of the initial state of the object and justification for all proposed examinations is required to avoid unnecessary or potentially damaging study and keep the amount of handling to a minimum. Processes such as stereomicroscopy can reveal surface features such as the weave of parchment paper, whether a print was done in relief or in intaglio, and even what kind of tools an artist may have used to create their works. While there are many different specialized and generic tools used for conservation science studies, some of the most common are listed below.

=== Scientific equipment ===
Source:

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Able to take high resolution and high magnification micrographs to study structural and surface features
Also may involve using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to identify specific elements or compounds present in the object
Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) can provide better contrast within the microscope in order to better visualize different phases, materials, and compounds present to identify composition
Can help to determine paint composition (specific type of paint used) in art works and compounds that may aid in provenance queries
Allows scientists to analyze whether the object's appearance merits preservation or if there are products of deterioration and decay that ought to be removed or cleaned prior to preservation
Destructive/invasive method – requires obtaining a sample from an object or artwork and exposing it to X-Ray radiation
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF)
Can identify elements both on the surface and sub-surface by performing x-ray scans over the entirety of an artwork
Non-destructive/non-invasive method - scans of the object's surface do not require sampling or removal of material
Computerized Tomography Scanning (CT Scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Non-destructive way to image larger objects
Can reveal sub-surface structure as well as some composition information
Particularly useful for imaging artifacts such as mummified remains to aid in identification and understanding of burial practices
When combined with "computational surface flattening" CT can be used to analyze and read rolled, folded or sealed documents without disturbing the artifacts' condition.
Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI)
Method of surface imaging whereby the location of the light source can be changed to image so an object or artwork is illuminated from a variety of directions
Non-invasive method that yields surface topography and texture to analyze surface features
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Method for identifying materials in works of art based on the fact that each compound or element has a specific combination of atoms, each of which will have a unique peak in the resultant spectra
Non-invasive and non-destructive method for chemical analysis that requires very small quantities of sample from inconspicuous locations on artworks and objects
Most common IR technique used to obtain spectral information through the constructive and destructive interference of electromagnetic waves using an interferometer
Known for their excellent speed, sensitivity, and resolution, better light-gathering power than dispersive instruments, and wavelength precision and accuracy
The type of material present will be the deciding factor in what method will be appropriate for study. For example, organic materials are likely to be destroyed if exposed to too much radiation, a concern when doing X-ray and electron-based imaging. Conservation scientists may specialize with specific materials and work closely with conservators and curators in order to determine appropriate analysis and treatment methods.

== Further reading ==
Erin Blakemore (17 Sep 2022). "Art meets science in analysis of ancient dancing horse statue". The Washington Post.

== See also ==
Conservation scientist

== References ==

== External links ==
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) – Research and Technical Studies Group
Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology at UCL, University of Oxford and University of Brighton
AIC/NU Art Conservation Science
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Archived 2010-12-12 at the Wayback Machine
Canadian Conservation Institute
Getty Conservation Institute
Heritage Science Masters at UCL Centre for Sustainable Heritage Archived 2010-05-10 at the Wayback Machine
Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione e il Restauro, Rome
[1] Archived 2011-05-19 at the Wayback Machine
Italian Risk Map of the Cultural Heritage.
National Archives and Records Administration Preservation Programs
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage, peer-reviewed open access journal, University of Bologna.
Italian Association of Conservation Scientists
Heritage Science
Observatorio para la Investigación en Conservación del Patrimonio
Plan Nacional de Investigación en Conservación (España)
Icon Heritage Science Group
National Heritage Science Forum