Conservation science (cultural property)

[2] Prior to thorough scientific analysis, a detailed visual assessment of the object, heritage site, or artwork is necessary in addition to gathering all relevant historic and current documentation.

[6] In these cases, conservation science may reveal the nature of these hazards as well as present solutions for how to prevent current and future exposure.

Research into the chemical and physical properties intrinsic to the materials used to create cultural heritage objects is a large part of the study of conservation science.

Materials science, in conjunction with the broader field of restoration and preservation, has resulted in what is now recognized as modern conservation.

Conservation treatments fall under four broad categories including cleaning, desalination, consolidation, and pest control.

Safe environments for the storage and display of paper artifacts include having a relative humidity (RH) of below 65% and above 40% and an ideal temperature between 18 and 20 °C (64 and 68 °F).

[7] Textiles are woven fabrics or cloth that represent culture, material legacy of international trade, social history, agricultural development, artistic trends, and technological progress.

[9][circular reference] Deterioration of textiles can be caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared light (IR), incorrect relative humidity and temperature, pests, pollutants, and physical forces such as fire and water.

The below table displays recommended storage conditions for damaged and unstable objects: [13] Metals are produced from ores that are found naturally in the environment.

Metals and alloys commonly found in cultural objects include gold, silver, copper, pewter, tin, and iron.

Corrosion occurs when metals come into contact with water, acids, bases, salts, oils, polishes, pollutants and chemicals.

[16] Plastics experience degradation from several factors including light, ultraviolet radiation, oxygen, water, heat, and pollutants.

There are no international standards for the storage of plastics so it is common for museums to employ similar methods to those used to preserve paper and other organic materials.

A wide range of instruments and techniques can be used in the treatment of plastics including 3-D scanning and printing technologies as a means of reproducing broken or missing parts.

Conservation techniques for paintings include dirt and varnish removal, consolidation, structural treatments, in-painting, in-filling, and retouching of losses.

Conservation science studies the process by which the various mechanisms of deterioration cause changes to material culture that affect their longevity for future generations.

[8] A large portion of conservation science research is the study of the behavior of different materials under a range of environmental conditions.

[2] The results of these investigations informs the field on the major risk factors as well as the strategies to control and monitor environmental conditions to aid in long term preservation.

Further, scientific inquiry has led to the development of more stable and long-term treatment methods and techniques for the types of damages that do occur.

[28] The energy from light interacts with objects at the molecular level and can lead to both physical and chemical damage such as fading, darkening, yellowing, embrittlement, and stiffening.

[29] Lightning strikes are the primary natural cause of damage to architectural heritage because ancient buildings generally use timber with high oil content, such as pine.

[34] Research in the field informs conservators on how to properly manage damage that occurs as well as means to monitor and control pollutant levels.

Physical forces can cause a range of damage from small cracks and fissures to complete destruction or disintegration of material.

Impact, shock, vibration, pressure, and abrasion are a few examples of physical forces that can have adverse effects on material culture.

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.

[37] 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.

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.

[38][4][3] 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.