“Science of Preservation” explores the intersection of art and science in preserving our cultural heritage. It reveals how museums and conservationists employ material science, environmental control, and conservation ethics to combat artifact degradation. Understanding an artifact's composition, from textiles to ceramics, allows for tailored preservation. For example, controlling temperature and humidity can dramatically slow decay, a key insight for artifact care.
The book examines the historical context of preservation, highlighting how early, aesthetically-driven efforts sometimes caused damage. It emphasizes a holistic approach, considering an artifact's history, material properties, and the impact of interventions. Modern preservation science, fueled by chemistry and physics, has revolutionized approaches, focusing on respectful, reversible, and well-documented interventions.
The book's structure guides readers through core concepts, starting with material science and environmental control's role in artifact degradation. It then delves into preservation techniques for materials like paper, textiles, metals, and stone, presenting case studies from global museums. Finally, it addresses ethical dilemmas surrounding authenticity and intervention, offering a comprehensive understanding of artifact preservation.
