Monthly Archives: March 2019

Big data and heritage collections

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Cristina Duran & Matija Strlič

When analysing the decay of heritage objects, and how that process can best be prevented, looking at data on those objects is crucial. Using a big data approach, a study published in Heritage Science examines how data science applied to heritage collections can reveal how and why objects degrade with time and use. In this blog, authors Cristina Duran-Casablancas and Matija Strlič make a call for more statistically underpinned research on real objects.

An adventure in art conservation and science among the Norwegian fjords

Paint tubes

Francesco Caruso, Sara Mantellato, Noëlle L.W. Streeton & Tine Frøysaker

Harriet Backer is one of Norway’s most famous painters, known for her use of vibrant colors. A material analysis of micro-samples from her original paint tubes has the potential to fill several gaps in conservation science, painting conservation, and art technology. It also offers scientific information about different oil colours from the late 19th to the early 20th century by Dr. Schoenfeld & Co., Düsseldorf whose archives were depleted during the Second World War.

Reverse-Engineering Conservation: Revealing the secrets of the first scientifically described dinosaur

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Paul Wilson

The right dentary of Megalosaurus Bucklandii – the first scientifically described dinosaur – has been part of the collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History since 1797. Yet surprisingly little is known about the specimen’s history after it was acquired by the museum. A new analysis published in Heritage Science tried to reverse engineer that conservation history and in doing so discovered new findings.

Academic Book Week: Tips for academic book authors

Springer author guide

Christina Emery

Academic Book Week (#AcBookWeek) is a week-long celebration of the diversity, variety and influence of academic books throughout history run by the Booksellers Association, returning for a fourth year from 4-9 March 2019. This week, The Source will be recognising the important role of academic books, including how they engage critical audiences such as the… Read more »