The scientific study of works of art is an emerging field fundamental to the intellectual understanding and preservation of cultural heritage. It draws together disciplines including the practice of art, art history, conservation and conservation science as well as more conventional science disciplines. Scientific techniques are used to examine objects better to understand those techniques and materials available to, and used by, artists and craftsmen in the past, whether that past is five or five thousand years ago. This increases our knowledge of the historical, social and economic production of art and artefacts and is therefore fundamental not only to our appreciation of art but also to resolving questions such as authorship. Further, such knowledge helps us to understand the ways objects deteriorate, making it crucial to determining best practice in conservation, preservation treatment and handling...
