Physical Techniques in the Study of Art, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

by David Bradley BSc (Hons) (Essex), MSc (Radiation Physics) (London), PhD (USM) CPhys, FInstP, FIPEM, FIFM, Dudley Cecil Creagh BSc (1 Hons) Dip Ed (Qld) MSc (UNE) MSc (Brist) PhD (NSW) CPhys CEng FInstP FAIP

Overview

The first of its kind, this series is devoted to the use of physical principles in the study and scientific conservation of objects with cultural heritage significance. It begins with a review of the modern museum, which discusses new techniques employed in the conservation of museum artifacts such as X-ray tomography and other techniques used to study Egyptian mummies, bones and mineralization of bones in the archaeological context, and the degradation of parchment. All of these topics and techniques are essential for the preservation of our history. This includes finding ways to preserve parchment documents and letters, which much of our written heritage is documented on, so that it can be used and understood for generations to come.

This book is a must have for any museum as well as any university that teaches or employs the techniques discussed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780444521316
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	08/22/2006
Series:	Physical Techniques in the Study of Art, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage , #1
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.45(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Bradley is a Reader at the University of Surrey, Secretary of the International Radiation Physics Society and edits the journal Applied Radiation and Isotopes. His research interests concern photon scattering, radioanalytical techniques for determination of trace element concentrations and the development of synchrotron techniques for the characterisation of media.

Professor Dudley Creagh, Professor and Director of Cultural Heritage Research, is an expert in the design and development of new analytical equipment, especially equipment using synchrotron radiation, for the study of materials, especially cultural heritage artefacts. He had led research on such topics as valuable medals (e.g., Victoria Cross), the protection of objects against corrosion, Australian aboriginal bark paintings, and the degradation ofiron-gall inks on parchments, movie film, and painted surfaces.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. The Modern Museum (J.L. Boutaine)
Chapter 2. X-Ray and Neutron Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography (F. Casali)
Chapter 3. Investigation of Diagenetic and Postmortem Bone Mineral Change by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering (J.C. Hiller and T.J. Wess)
Chapter 4. The Use of X-Ray Scattering to Analyse Parchment Structure and Degradation (C.J. Kennedy and T.J. Wess)
Chapter 5. Egyptian Eye Cosmetics (‘kohls'): Past and Present (A.D. Hardy, R.I. Walton, R. Vaishnav, K.A. Myers, M.R. Power and D. Pirrie)