Probing Hierarchically Complex Historical Materials and Their Modes of Characterization and Alteration

Cultural Heritage Science is the intersection of several fundamental and applied scientific disciplines. It brings technologies and expertise from closely allied fields to bear on problems involving the preservation of global cultural heritage. By focusing on hierarchically complex materials, we can engage experts from diverse fields of data capture and analysis in formation of new collaborations that address cultural heritage problems and at the same time reciprocally enrich and challenge each field, stimulating the development and transfer of technologies between them.

The sampling and access constraints imposed on cultural heritage objects have meant that one off, standoff and microsampling methods are paramount. The imaging, diagnosis, and preservation of cultural heritage can be optimized through technology transfer and interdisciplinary collaboration, to expand the "tool kit" whilst inspiring researchers to explore beyond boundaries where innovation will occur, for example, the synergy of biofilm research in biomedicine and in cultural heritage monuments may be mutually beneficial. Forensic and environmental science, also afford important sources for new technologies applicable to the preservation of cultural heritage. The 2016 GRC will provide an opportunity for scientists taking novel approaches to extracting the maximum data from such samples in each discipline to share new partnerships.

Finally the Cultural Heritage in Crisis and First Nations Art and Artists' Materials sessions will explore societal connections with cultural heritage technologies for saving cultural heritage from war zones, the education of contemporary artists on preserving their work and legacy, and the pressing need to preserve material from endangered cultures who are in the process of losing their traditions, languages, and identity. We, the organizers of the Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Research 2016 GRC, eagerly anticipate your joining with us for what promises to be a week of productive, stimulating, and forward-looking presentations and discussion.