Chemical Analysis provides non invasive and micro-analytical techniques for the investigation of cultural heritage materials. The tools and techniques, discussed by experts in the field, are of universal, sensitive and multi-component nature.

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.

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.

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.

Chemical Analysis provides non invasive and micro-analytical techniques for the investigation of cultural heritage materials. The tools and techniques, discussed by experts in the field, are of universal, sensitive and multi-component nature.

Conservation Science is a rather innovative application of instrumental analysis with steadily increasing importance. Although the first attempts for preserving material from the cultural heritage on a scientific basis are found in the 19th century pioneer chemistry years, only the use of sophisticated physicochemical techniques results in effective identification and deterioration studies of monuments and objects, and in reliable intervention procedures. This volume allows to gain solid knowledge and improved skills on the ways separation schemes and diagnostic methodologies are applied in the safeguarding and authentication of tangible works of art; as well as on the modes of implementing novel safeguarding practices built on well-established principles – such as the use of laser in the decontamination of objects. All techniques are covered at a state-of-the-art level; while selected applications permit addressing major groups of materials and artefacts. Conservation Science is nowadays taught at master’s level in all developed countries, and museum laboratories increasingly adopt scientific approaches in their restoration initiatives. The book is intended as a valuable tool for students and professionals active in these frames. In addition, it provides an indispensable manual for participants in the specialized intensive courses, which are systematically offered by the authors under the auspices of the relevant European network.

This volume is intended to provide a general overview of principles and practical applications of various areas of analytical chemistry, in particular (but not exclusively) in the contexts of environmental and cultural heritages conservation. It is only since the 80 s that the production of more sensible recording instruments, the miniaturization of analytical devices and the huge growth of computational power, have become widely accessible and diffused for routine investigations. Recent advances in the use and applications of uncommon techniques and relevant working methodologies, e.g. synchrotron radiation, will probably exert a permanent influence in future studies. The development of hardware and software has awakened the interest in exploration of huge datasets, e.g. instrumental signals and images, and nowadays is an irreplaceable tool in defining correlations between objects, systems, mathematical variables, and so on. The result has been a great proliferation of research studies and applications in all the fields, so that the Analytical Chemistry has acquired a major status in the broad area of Applied Sciences. In fact, in all of these great developments, the analytical chemists have played, and still play, a pivotal role. During the past three decades, just the time that we have been active in research and teaching activities, we had the fortunate and exclusive opportunity to assist to the quite general and spectacular transition from the macro-branch to micro-branch of the subject area. Thus, we have the great responsibility towards the new generations of scientists to stimulate interests and to provide guidance about micro-analytical chemistry, both in lecturing and in research. It is our opinion that analytical chemistry has been the mainmast in every chemical career of the past, and we believe that the rigid discipline of conducting micro-analytical experiments is an essential part of the training of every new chemist. All around the world, analytical chemistry is developing micro- and ultra-micro-analysis systems to such an extent that it is impossible to see, with the naked eye, the minute samples sent in for analysis. These highly performing methodologies make possible micro-sampling of materials and substrates both for destructive or not destructive analysis, without causing perceptible deterioration of the object or the system under study. Obviously, the acquisition of the best knowledge and competences about techniques and working methodologies by the analysts in manipulating micro-samples, are only the essential prerequisites in order to gain the best results, while laboratory protocols and good-laboratory-practice must be perfectly attained during the operations. Probably, these concepts are the leit-motif of the entire book. We have assumed the responsibility for the general outline of the book. We hope to have successfully assembled an interesting and versatile mix of various ingredients such as peoples and machines, ideas and results, techniques and methodologies, experiments and theories, materials and simulated models: a true cocktail provided by different chemists acting in very different analytical fields. The book is formally divided into three sections, covering topics about : - general aspects of analytical chemistry (chapters 1-5, whose key words should be : traceability in chemical measurements, sequential injection analysis, NMR and HR-MAS, electron transfer in pesticides, multivariate analysis of analytical signals); - applications in the environmental context (chapters 6-8, specific arguments are : microwave techniques for sample manipulation, thermal methods of analysis, continuous and semi-continuous analytical methods in paleoclimatic studies); - some applications in the cultural heritage and conservation studies (chapters 9-17, treating stone cleaning and conservation, colour measurement on paintings, MS and GC-MS analytical procedures for painting analysis, salt weathering, synchrotron radiation and lasers applications to cultural heritages, investigations of historical glasses and papers, and more than this). In some cases this subdivision was artificially forced and, therefore, it was not rigidly followed. In fact some chapters, for their not-at-all specific content, could be placed everywhere along the chapter sequence, disregarding the apparent pertinence and the actual location in one section. With this final aim in mind, each contributor was requested to present the state of the art in his field, by introducing and applying contemporary statements of topics that he considers relevant to his research field and for the editorial assignment. In the preliminary call and in the subsequent editorial coordination of this material, the primary intent has been to avoid, as much as possible, unnecessary overlapping of the various chapters. Some chapters, however, have been written to provide an historical development and a survey of recent exciting advances. Their particular aim is to outline the basic principles, to illustrate such success in applicative studies as is possible with current methods, and to indicate their potential scope and present limitations. Accordingly, there is no attempt to provide anything in the nature of an encyclopaedic coverage, but rather, after a general survey of analytical studies and applications, each specialist or co-authorship has emphasized what he regards as the essential bases and recent developments of his topics. Finally, the Editors wish to address their gratitude to the Authors of the chapters. As in all works involving multiple authors, a great deal of the success of the venture depends upon their cooperation, as well as upon the prompt advising by publisher staff. This book is no exception to these rules. Authors contributions required much of their valuable time, which they must have sparingly withdrawn from their research, teaching and many other related activities. Furthermore, it was a particular pleasure for the Editors to be able to call upon recognized and reputed scientists, and, between them, many young research postgraduate students as contributors. As research fellows, or former research fellows, we are delighted to see their enthusiastic participation and their excellent research targets, so that the book exhibits, we hope, a tastefully arrangement. The efforts of these Authors should be commended. A special thank is extended to Transworld Research Nertwork for its fine production of this series in Scientific Communication.

Forgeries present a daunting problem to art historians, museums, galleries and curators who face challenges in determining the authenticity of paintings. Recent progress in science has led to the development of new methods for investigating works of art, and can provide new insights into the materials found in paintings. The rise in the value of paintings together with the knowledge and skills of forgers highlights the need to develop reliable scientific procedures to identify fakes. Given the complexity of materials in paintings and the convergence of various disciplines, a methodological approach for nvestigations of paintings is based on art historical, curatorial, aesthetic, technical and scientific evaluation. In this book sophisticated digital and analytical techniques are reviewed for the identification of materials (pigments, binders, varnishes, adhesives) and the physical characteristics of paintings such as brushstrokes, craquelure and canvas weaves. This book presents an updated overview of both non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques that enable the material characterization of paintings. The materials constituting a painting are reviewed, as are ways that changes in materials over time can provide insights into chronology and physical history. State-of the art digital metods including multi and hyper-spectral imaging and computational approaches to data treatment will be presented. Analytical techniques developed and optimized to characterize binders, varnishes, and pigments are reviewed, focusing on materials which can provide information on ageing or provenance. Case studies of applications of synchrotron-based methods and the analysis of paintings are given, as are chapters devoted to legal aspects related to authenticity. Chapter 1 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

The characterization of cultural heritage objects becomes increasingly important for conservation, restoration, dating, and authentication purposes. The use of scientific methods in archaeometry and conservation science has led to a significant broadening of the field. Scientific analysis of these objects is a challenging task due to their complex composition, artistic and historical values requiring the use of minimally invasive and nondestructive analytical procedures. This textbook summarizes scientific methods that are currently used to characterize objects of cultural heritage and archaeological artifacts. This book provides a brief description of the structure of matter at the molecular, atomic, and nuclear levels. Furthermore, it discusses the chemical and physical nature of materials from the molecular to the atomic and nuclear level as determined by the principles of quantum mechanics. Important aspects of natural and anthropogenic radioactivity that play a critical role for some of the analytical techniques are also emphasized. The textbook also provides principals and applications of spectroscopic methods for characterization of cultural heritage objects. It describes the technologies with specific examples for utilization of spectroscopic techniques in the characterization of paintings, books, coins, ceramics, and other objects. Analytic approaches that employ isotopes and determination of isotope ratios will be reviewed. General principles of imaging techniques and specific examples for utilization of these methods will also be summarized. In the later part of the book, a number of scientific techniques for the age determination of cultural heritage material and archaeological artifacts will be presented and discussed with specific examples.