Preface

Conservation science is a broad church and a rapidly developing discipline. The
aim of this book is to provide, in one volume, an account of the composition
and conservation of historic materials. It brings together recent information on
decay and degradation that are unusually scattered in journals and not readily
available to many practising conservators. By doing this, it is hoped that the
potential of materials conservation, together with the processes that are neces-
sary to maximise it, can be made more understandable to all those interested
in historic objects. We believe that a clear understanding of the deterioration
mechanisms of historic and artistic works will help conservators make informed
decisions about their care and treatment.
At the time of writing, there is concern throughout Europe about the frag-
mented nature of research funding in conservation science, despite the fact
that heritage generates considerable income through tourism for national
economies. There is parliamentary activity at national and EU levels as we
move to the 7th European Research Framework. This book demonstrates that
a very wide range of accumulated deterioration problems affect materials that
are part of our movable and immovable heritage. The threat of environmental
climate change now compounds those problems and seriously extends the
scale and nature of the challenge that conservators and conservation scientists
face. The wealth of knowledge offered by specialists in this book illustrates
the commitment to good science and reinforces the need for on-going research
to meet the new challenges.
The book is intended for graduates and professionals who are involved in
the understanding and care of historic materials, whether conservators, finds
specialists, museum curators or administrators. It is also of interest to under-
graduates studying archaeological conservation at university, or scientists taking
subsidiary courses in conservation. It should also prove useful to those involved
in the training of students in material conservation. Inevitably, when describing
deterioration (decay), material composition and treatment methods, science
is essential for the explanation. However, the general reader with basic science
knowledge should have no difficulty in following the text. It should provide a