This book utilizes current scientific advances to better understand the principles of degradation of historical textile materials (including ancient mummies, dresses, jewellery and musical instruments) and their characterisation. Moreover, it highlights the importance of multidisciplinary procedures as a part of complex task when only a relatively low amount of materials are available for analysis. In such cases, only sensitive, selective and reliable analytical procedures, such as microscopy, spectroscopy and chromatography, can be applied in the characterization of precious materials. As this book explores current scientific advances to better understand the principles of materials characterisation, it is of broad general interest to the general public, but also to the chemical, anthropological and conservation-restoration communities. Moreover, it also offers particular support to a global audience interested in the preservation of historical materials.

This book utilizes current scientific advances to better understand the principles of degradation of historical textile materials (including ancient mummies, dresses, jewellery and musical instruments) and their characterisation. Moreover, it highlights the importance of multidisciplinary procedures as a part of complex task when only a relatively low amount of materials are available for analysis. In such cases, only sensitive, selective and reliable analytical procedures, such as microscopy, spectroscopy and chromatography, can be applied in the characterization of precious materials. As this book explores current scientific advances to better understand the principles of materials characterisation, it is of broad general interest to the general public, but also to the chemical, anthropological and conservation-restoration communities. Moreover, it also offers particular support to a global audience interested in the preservation of historical materials.

Preservation and restoration techniques are essential in maintaining the integrity of historic artifacts, including textiles, and specifically, the materials of the textile industry in Egypt. The technologies, methods, and advancements in preserving these ancient artifacts are growing areas of research and important factors in increasing knowledge of the conservation process. By offering and increasing the knowledge field with practical applications of preservation and restoration techniques both old and new, the industry will continue to advance. Preservation and Restoration Techniques for Ancient Egyptian Textiles provides critical research on the history, technology, and materials of the textile industry in Egypt through the ages. It includes the integration of scientific examinations and digital precise documentation in the preservation of Ancient Egyptian textiles, the deterioration aspects and their effect on historical textiles and novelty preservation methods, and the preventive conservation of historical textiles in museums. The book deals with the restoration methods of historical textiles such as documentation; various cleaning processes; fixing, supporting, display, and storage methods; as well as incorporating modern science techniques such as nanoscience, enzymes, plasma, lasers, and more. It is essential for historians and archeologists, conservators, specialists in art history, museum specialists, restoration professionals, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the latest conservation and restoration techniques specifically focused on ancient Egyptian textiles.

This book delineates the contours of molecular and structural archaeology as an emergent interdisciplinary field based on structural analysis at the molecular level and examines novel methodologies to reconstruct the synthesis and long-term transformation of materials used in antiquity. The focus of this volume is on cosmetic and therapeutic materials.

Handbook of Museum Textiles Textiles have been known to us throughout human history and played a vital role in the lives and traditions of people. Clothing was made by using different materials and methods from natural fibers. There are different varieties of textiles, out of which certain traditional textiles, archaeological findings, or fragments are of cultural, historical, and sentimental value such as tapestries, embroideries, flags, shawls, etc. These kinds of textiles, due to their historical use and environmental factors, require special attention to guarantee their long-term stability. Textile conservation is a complex, challenging, and multi-faceted discipline and it is one of the most versatile branches of conservation. Volume II of the Handbook of Museum Textiles provides precise instruction for conservation techniques to preserve the textile heritage more scientifically and technologically. Additionally, the book covers the most modern techniques used to characterize archaeological textiles and dyes. Progress and innovation in nanotechnology-based interventions in museum textiles are emphasized. Chapters cover the general introduction to biological damage caused by physical and chemical agents and their prevention methods. Information on microscopy and characterization of historical textiles, ancient dyes, and prints is highlighted. Several aspects of assessment of degradation, repair, and stabilization of antique textiles are presented in depth. Experimental research methods for diagnosis and scientific study of fibers and natural dyes using LC-MS and UV-VIS are described. Practical knowledge based on analysis and visualization of historical textiles for the needs of museum conservation, exhibition, digital technology, and virtual museums is addressed as well. Audience It will serve as an educational asset and tool for researchers, art scholars, archaeologists, museum curators, and those who are interested in the field of traditional or historic textile collections.

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 text on textile conservation includes sections on identification and deterioration of textile materials, archaeological textiles, learning from the present and the past, characterising and monitoring textiles, and annotating textile biographies.