Cardiff University Capability for Collections

Our dynamic team of heritage researchers and educators seek to enhance our capability for releasing knowledge from collections, activating archives for the public through digital presentation and understanding the deterioration and conservation of heritage materials. The requested suite of equipment covering analytical heritage science and digitisation of physical archaeological and historic archives supports our ambition to be a centre of excellence for heritage science in Wales. With this capability, we will study the effects of climate change on exterior historic structures, modelling current and future environments in our Climatic Simulation Laboratory and analysing material decay on site using portable FTIR analysis. We will scan and reproduce fugitive relics of the past; ancient footprints threatened by coastal erosion will come to life for the public as positive prints of feet with our 3D capability. We will return archaeological archives to the communities from which they were excavated in the form of digital and 3D-printed handling collections accessible to all and will use them to engage non-traditional audiences at festivals. We will record incredible surface detail on objects in our Visualisation Suite and on site through portable reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) revealing clues about manufacturing and use of heritage artefacts. The flexibility of this portable equipment will allow us to digitise and study previously inaccessible collections on location and internationally. Our partner cultural heritage institutions will be upskilled in the application of these techniques for their collections, creating waves of capability through the sector. And, crucially, new generations of heritage science practitioners will be trained in the latest technology for cultural heritage through our degree programmes.

Using our rejuvenated capability as a springboard, we will apply for funding to expand our research portfolio and generate employment for research assistants. We will support visiting research fellows and create capacity for doctoral study in exciting new areas, leading to fundable PhD applications. Our existing PhD students will benefit from our extended capability to add value to their projects and open additional doors for data collection and impactful outcomes. Disseminating the outputs of our research in publications and the media, we will share the value of the equipment with the wider sector and the public. In publishing the research methods that we develop with our new capability, we will contribute to the continued development of the vibrant heritage science discipline.

As a provider of conservation, bioarchaeology, visualisation and research services, we will offer access to the most up-to-date techniques for collections and an expanded range of in-situ services. We will produce tailored advice for collections care by logging temperature and humidity in 3 dimensions and measuring their impact on collections. With portable state-of-the-art RTI and 3D scanning, we will be capable of digitising collections in-situ, removing the risk associated with transport of fragile heritage artefacts. Our 3D printing technology will allow us to create handling collections for institutions based on scans of their artefacts. Together, this will open up collections in novel ways for museums and archives currently restricted to traditional forms of display.

Importantly, we will also be fulfilling our sustainability mission to reduce our carbon footprint. Replacing outdated and power-hungry technology, such as our 20 year-old FTIR, will reduce the energy consumption of our laboratories for more sustainable research and practice. Creating digital collections will allow the public and researchers to engage with heritage without travelling, cutting the environmentally costly fuel consumption of vehicular travel. With improved capability, we will harness new technology for a more sustainable future.