The scientific analysis of cultural heritage materials poses specific and often difficult analytical challenges. This book attempts to rationalize the links between the most commonly asked questions in archaeology, art history, and conservation with the potential answers resulting from the vast array of scientific techniques presently available.

Human heritage is an endless mine of knowledge, skills, ethos and accomplishments, which visualize and examine the power of human creativity and innovation throughout the history. The contributions cast an insight into the human psyche to perceive its Weltanschauung, and its way of thinking and making artefacts associated with knowledge, existence and identity in the context of other existing systems in the world. They demonstrate the diversity of topics as well as the state-of-the art of interdisciplinary approaches that participants of the Humboldt-Kolleg use in their research on cultural heritage, and confirm, once again, that the strengths of the Alexander von Humboldt Network should be celebrated and honoured. The present volume invites us to seek more novel research approaches that aim towards an understanding of the complex nature of human inheritance.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience.Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

From 2nd to 5th October 2012 an International Congress on Science and Technology for the conservation of Cultural Heritage was held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, organized by the Universidade of Santiago de Compostela on behalf of TechnoHeritage Network. The congress was attended by some 160 participants from 10 countries, which presented a total of 145 contributions among plenary lectures, oral, and poster communications. The congress was dedicated to eight topics, namely (1) Environmental assessment and monitoring (pollution, climate change, natural events, etc.) of Cultural Heritage; (2) Agents and mechanisms of deterioration of Cultural Heritage (physical, chemical, biological), including deterioration of modern materials used in Contemporary Art and information storage; (3) Development of new instruments, non invasive technologies and innovative solutions for analysis, protection and conservation of Cultural Heritage; (4) New products and materials for conservation and maintenance of Cultural Heritage; (5) Preservation of industrial and rural heritage from the 19th and 20th centuries; (6) Security technologies, Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems for protection and management of Cultural Heritage; (7) Significance and social value of Cultural Heritage; and (8) Policies for conservation of Cultural Heritage. This volume publishes a total of ninety-three contributions which reflect some of the most recent responses to the challenge of cultural assets conservation.

Archaeological and archaeometric data in the study of the athlete of Croatia / M. Michelucci -- Ion beam techniques for analysis of cultural heritage objects : collaboration between the Ruder Bos̮ković Institute and the Croatian Conservation Institute / S. Fazinić [und weitere] -- Study by mobile non-destructive testing of the bronze statue of the "Satiro" of Marsala / G. Guida [und weitere] -- Archaeometric Measurements with PIXE in Slovenia / Z̮. S̮mit -- In situ chemical composition analysis of cultural heritage objects using portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry / D. Wegrzynek [und weitere] -- Integrated geophysical techniques for the high-resolution study of archaeological sites / M. Pipan and E. Forte -- Thermoluminescence dating and cultural heritage / M. Martini and E. Sibilia -- New x-ray digital radiography and computed tomography for cultural heritage / F. Casali [und weitere] -- Cosmic rays for archaeology / G. Giannini -- Some examples of examination, characterisation, analysis & conservation techniques dedicated to archaeological artefacts / J.L. Boutaine -- Presentation of DEMGOL : online etymological dictionary of Greek mythology / E. Pellizer -- Building up an archaeological restoration & conservation department in Friuli-Venezia Giulia / F. Lo Schiavo -- Relative sea level changes by using archaeological markers : the INTERREG Italia-Slovenia Project "Alto Adriatico" / S. Furlani, F. Antonioli and R. Auriemma -- Digitization and multispectral analysis of artistic objects : exemplary cases and web documentation / G. Maino and S. Massari -- Actuopalaeontology : a polyfunctional tool for archaeology / G. Bressan [und weitere] -- Robotics tools for underwater archaeology / G. Conte [und weitere] -- Accelerators and radiation for art and archaeology / C. Tuniz -- The [symbol]C contribution to the protohistory of Friuli (North-Eastern Italy) / P. Càssola Guida -- Serpentinite shaft-holed axes in the Caput Adriae : preliminary results and perspectives based on x-ray computerized microtomography / F. Bernardini [und weitere] -- Mummies - a special report results of CAT scan analyses of Egyptian mummies in the Civico Museo di Storia ed Arte of Trieste / M.V. Torlo -- ANGLE software for semiconductor detector gamma-efficiency calculations and possibilities for its applications to cultural heritage objects characterization / S. Jovanovic and A. Dlabac -- Hominid fossils as universal and national cultural heritage : an essay on past and present attitudes towards the ownership of hominid fossils and the question of repatriation / P.V. Tobias

This book provides the scientific and technical background materials of non-destructive methods of microscopic analysis that are suitable for analysing works of art, museum pieces and archeaological artefacts. Written by experts in the field, this multi-author volume contains a number of case studies, illustrating the value of these methods. The book is suited to natural scientists and analysts looking to increase their knowledge of the various methods that are currently available for non-destructive analysis. It is also the perfect resource for museum curators, archaeologists and art-historians seeking to identify one or more suitable methods of analysis that could solve material-related problems.

"This book explores the ways in which science and technology are bridging the gap between science and the humanities"--

Reviewing the analytical strategies used in the study of cultural heritage assets, this book pays particular attention to analytical methodology and ensuring reliable results are obtained for those working in conservation practice.

This new textbook addresses the neglect of practical research methods in cultural studies. It provides readers with clearly written overviews of research methods in cultural studies, along with guidelines on how to put these methods into operation. It advocates a multi-method approach, with students drawing from a pool of techniques and approaches suitable for their own topics of investigation.The book covers the following main areas:* Drawing on experience, and studying how narratives make sense of experience.* Investigating production processes in the cultural industries, and the consumption and assimilation of cultural products by audiences and fans.* Taking both quantitative and qualitative approaches to the study of cultural life.* Analysing visual images and both spoken and written forms of discourse.* Exploring cultural memory and historical representation.

The role of exact sciences in connection with cultural heritage now is well established and a new scientific branch has been generated: Archaeometry. Literally, Archaeometry means measurement on ancient objects. It is a multidisciplinary field of Investigations where the rigorous methods of exact sciences give a fundamental contribution to solving the problems associated with conservation and restoration, as well as to the study itself of the cultural heritage. Archaeometry, as a scientific research field, involves interdisciplinary groups formed by scholars of the humanistic area together with scientists: physicists, chemists, mathematicians, biologists, engineers, etc. The primary justification for the need of involving exact sciences in the field which, in the past, traditionally has been exclusive of Art Historians must no doubt be found in the conservation and restoration activities. The second argument which, in the public opinion, justifies the involvement of science with the world of Art is the confidence that scientific methods are Infallible in unmasking forgeries. But in our opinion the awareness of the central role of scientific methods as a support for philological and