Science of Preservation

The book examines the historical context of preservation, highlighting how early, aesthetically-driven efforts sometimes caused damage. It emphasizes a holistic approach, considering an artifact's history, material properties, and the impact of interventions. Modern preservation science, fueled by chemistry and physics, has revolutionized approaches, focusing on respectful, reversible, and well-documented interventions.

The book's structure guides readers through core concepts, starting with material science and environmental control's role in artifact degradation. It then delves into preservation techniques for materials like paper, textiles, metals, and stone, presenting case studies from global museums. Finally, it addresses ethical dilemmas surrounding authenticity and intervention, offering a comprehensive understanding of artifact preservation.