Cardiff University Capability for Collections
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Sch of History, Archaeology & Religion
Abstract
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.
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.
Publications
Thunberg J
(2020)
Desiccated Microclimates for Heritage Metals: Creation and Management
in Studies in Conservation
Thickett D
(2022)
Analysing Objects to Tailor Environmental Preventive Conservation
in Heritage
Smith W
(2023)
Comparative assessment of paint systems for use on heritage artillery at coastal forts in England: experimental design and interim report
in Conservar Património
Emmerson N
(2021)
Refining the use of oxygen consumption as a proxy corrosion rate measure for archaeological and historic iron
in The European Physical Journal Plus
Description | Increased research capacity from the Capability for Collections equipment portfolio has facilitated more research into the safe storage of archaeological metals and continued impacts arise from our updated guidance to the sector based on data outputs from this equipment. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Guidance on safe storage of archaeological metals |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Cardiff University research into metallic corrosion and its control introduced evidence-based treatment, storage and display of archaeological metals to the heritage sector. Guesswork and anecdotal procedures in designing preservation protocols were replaced by an understanding of treatment efficiencies and humidity-related corrosion risk. Working directly with national museums and archives in England, Wales and Ireland, the researchers produced accessible and customisable guidelines which were adopted by professionals and their governing bodies across the UK, Europe and USA. From archaeological repositories containing millions of artefacts charting human history to iconic ships, including the Mary Rose, Brunel's SS Great Britain and the Spanish Armada, Cardiff research guided the decisions saving our metal heritage for future generations. |
URL | https://results2021.ref.ac.uk/impact/1ad559db-7796-49e9-a4db-ed88ca774c1b |
Description | Cardiff University - English Heritage |
Organisation | English Heritage |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Contributions of time to run experiments in our laboratory, generating shared datasets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributions of time to run experiments in their laboratory, generating shared datasets. |
Impact | Activities ongoing to generate a software package for designing storage for archaeological metals. Outcomes expected later this year. This builds on significant impact in safe storage of metals. |
Start Year | 2022 |