| CODE | BLH5504 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Examination and Analysis for Conservation 1 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will introduce the field of Heritage Science, its definition, scope/application and relevance for understanding Cultural Heritage and for Conservation. The study-unit will provide an initial overview with practical applications on the broad categories of analytical techniques (non-invasive/invasive; area/point analysis), used primarily for material characterization but also for dating and provenance of materials. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of research questions as the core of the analytical process and on the iterative approach of scientific investigations. The study-unit will also deal more in detail with a range of analytical techniques that are common to all three areas of specialization (Decorative Architectural Surfaces, Easel Paintings and Stone), namely special imaging techniques (IRR, UVIL, FCIR), Light Microscopy and a selection of instrumental techniques of analysis (XRF, SEM-EDX and XRD), their potential and limitations. Additional techniques will be tackled in the follow-up study unit “Examination and Analysis 2” in semester 2. The theoretical content of the study unit will be closely linked to relevant practical applications, primarily carried out on mock-up samples or replicas within the reference sample collection of the Department. Practical applications will give students the opportunity to understand the methodology, data acquisition and data elaboration of each technique. As part of these practical applications the components of a scientific report will also be introduced. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at providing the students with an overview on the relevance, multidisciplinarity of heritage science for cultural heritage and its application to the field of decorative architectural surfaces, easel paintings and stone through their examination and analysis. In particular this study unit aims to: 1. describe the iterative approach of the analytical process for solving questions related to cultural heritage objects; 2. describe a selection of scientific analytical techniques relevant to decorative architectural surfaces, easel paintings and stone, their potential and limitations; 3. emphasize the selection of a correct analytical protocol to produce data relevant to specific research questions. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the overall iterative approach of the scientific study of cultural heritage and its relationship with other disciplines, in particular conservation and history of art; - Describe the selection of analytical techniques dealt with during this study unit, their application, potential and limitations; - Explain the importance of non-invasive techniques of analysis for understanding the works of art and for setting up the sampling strategy; - Discuss the key role of an appropriate sampling strategy to investigate specific research questions; - Elaborate, interpret and present the results obtained from a selection of analytical techniques introduced during this study-unit; - Correlate data obtained from the application of scientific techniques of analysis with information obtained from the direct study of the object, as well as historical and art historical sources. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Carry out multispectral imaging investigations (Vis, UVIL, IRR, FCIR) on mock-up samples and real Cultural Heritage objects; - Carry out and document sampling on mock-up samples/replicas; - Prepare cross sections and correctly use the optical microscope; - Present the analytical results in a coherent and well-structured scientific report. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential readings: - Artioli, G. (2010) Scientific Methods and Cultural Heritage. Oxford University Press - Sabbatini, L., Van der Werf, I.D. (2020) Chemical Analysis in Cultural Heritage. De Gruyter - Ul-Hamid, A. A (2018) Beginners' Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy. Springer - Dyer, J., Verri, G. and Cupitt, J. (2013) Charisma Multispectral Imaging in Reflectance and Photo-Induced Luminescence Modes: A User Manual. The British Museum - Khandekar, N. (2003) Preparation of cross sections form easel paintings. In Reviews in Conservation 4: 52-63 - Plesters J. (1956) Cross Sections and Chemical Analysis of Paint Samples, Studies In Conservation Vol 11 No 3. Further readings: - Garside, P., & Richardson, E. (Eds.). (2021). Conservation Science: Heritage Materials. Royal Society of Chemistry. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lect, Ind Study, Group Learn, Practicum & Tutorial | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Christine Blauer Damian Lizun Jo Ann Cassar Roberta De Angelis Matthew Grima Jennifer Porter Giovanni Verri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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