Conservation of artefacts and heritage materials is an increasingly popular and fascinating area, spanning both historical and scientific disciplines. Materials come in many forms ranging from sunken ships to tapestries, from buildings to books. With this wide range of matrices and materials to analyse and preserve, an interdisciplinary approach is needed drawing upon skills from many areas of knowledge. Conservation Science: Heritage Materials links these fields of research together forming a comprehensive text book that discusses analytical aspects, wall paintings, organic and inorganic materials. It provides up to date information on subjects including research on decay and degradation and an understanding of the deterioration mechanisms of historic and artistic works. Also included are a number of case studies of particularly important finds including the upkeep of the Mary Rose and the preservation of the sail on Nelsons ship HMS Victory. This book provides an essential guide and reference source for those working in all areas of heritage conservation.

Contributions by: B Des Barker, Paul Wyeth, Margaret Rule, Robert J Koestler, Paul Garside, Roy Thomson, Rod Eaton, Vincent Daniels, Rob Inkpen, Hannelore Roemich, Karin Petersen, David J Gregory, Yvonne R Shashoua, Henning Matthiesen, A Elena Charola