Activities per year
Abstract
The analysis by microscopy of the compositions and microstructures of geomaterials found in historic structures and buildings is integral to archaeological, art-historical, conservation and restoration-related investigations, and supports decision making for material replacement and repair. In archaeology there is a need to elucidate past social, economic and technological processes, and to understand the environmental impacts of past human activities related to materials use. Standard light and electron microscopy are most commonly employed, but high resolution methods such as transmission electron and three-dimensional tomography such as µ-CT are also being used. Experimental and novel developments, where they overlap with advanced materials science, are uncommon. The application of scientific characterisation frames cultural heritage value, reinforcing our understanding of authenticity and integrity. Characterisation is constrained, in turn, by the values system that operates in cultural heritage. International charters and conservation philosophy necessitate the application of science to contextualising conservation. However, the appearance of science in heritage work has also led to the performance of science for its own sake (‘endoscience’, sensu Muñoz Viñas, Contemporary Theory of Conservation, Routledge, 2011). This moves some to suggest that there is a disconnect between scientific work and its practical value. Apparent communication problems between scientists applying microscopy and other stakeholders require changes to management of material characterisation in heritage projects.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 136-144 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | RILEM Technical Letters |
Volume | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2017 |
Keywords
- microscopy
- cultural heritage
- conservation
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Ineducable us: the applications and contexts of microscopy used for the characterisation of historic building materials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
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Getty Conservation Institute, Conservation Guest Scholar
Hughes, J. (Recipient)
26 Sept 2022 → 16 Dec 2022Activity: Other › Types of Award - Fellowship awarded competitively
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16th EMABM 2017- Invited Speaker-keynote
Hughes, J. (Speaker)
14 May 2017 → 17 May 2017Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Invited talk
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Mortars in Historic Buildings: A Review of the Conservation, Technical and Scientific Literature
Hughes, J. J. & Válek, J., 1 Jun 2003, Edinburgh: Historic Scotland. 80 p. (Literature Review)Research output: Book/Report › Book
Open Access -
The petrography and microstructure of medieval lime mortars from the west of Scotland: implications for formulation of repair and replacement mortars
Hughes, J. J. & Cuthbert, S. J., 1 Nov 2000, In: Materials and Structures. 33, 9, p. 594-600 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
35 Citations (Scopus)