Conservation Science

Conservation science research underpins the decisions we make to control light, humidity, insects, mould, pollution, temperature, vibration and cleaning methods, all of which cause objects to deteriorate.

Where there is a lack of evidence for conservation methods we carry out our own research, often in collaboration with other institutions. Find out more about some of our current research projects.

Using infrared spectroscopy to assess the stability of a glass mirror at Ranger’s House

New facility for Environment and Sustainability research

Climate change poses significant challenges for the preservation of collections, historic buildings and sites. To help understand and address these challenges, English Heritage and Historic England are creating a new mobile and fixed laboratory that will allow us to investigate the degradation of historic materials and help us understand and improve our sector’s carbon footprint. The lab will also advance the research of our conservation scientists and enable an unprecedented level of access to a range of audiences from the heritage sector.

The archaeological collections store at Wrest park, built on low-energy principles

The lab will be equiped with new instruments for measuring materials degradation and building performance, particularly energy efficiency and sustainability – critical research areas for the future of heritage. These instruments will offer real time monitoring of environmental conditions, including air exchange rate, building modelling, fabric deterioration rate, defects identification and degradation rates of different collection and building materials.

Collaborative partnerships with Birkbeck College, University of London, the Victoria & Albert Museum and Cardiff University will extend our national facility’s capability, offering partners and external users access to a wider range of research equipment and expertise.

The project is part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme, funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council through the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.

A daguerreotype of William Darwin (December 1839 – September 1914) before and after conservation treatment. The untreated image is obscured by droplets formed due to the glass corrosion.

Protecting Historic Photographs: Darwin's Daguerreotypes

Down House is home to six daguerreotypes (a type of photography invented in 1839 by Louis Daguerre) of Charles Darwin's children. One of these is the only known image of Charles Darwin with another person - his son William.

These photographs, formed of a thin layer of silver nanoparticles on a copper sheet, are very early examples of daguerreotypes. Sadly their original cover glasses have deteriorated, leaving the images underneath obscured. To restore them, English Heritage conservation scientists have been carrying out research and treatment.

First, the original cover glasses were analysed. This revealed sodium formate on the glass, a product that can cause glass corrosion, which in turn can damage the image underneath.

Conservators therefore replaced the glass on each daguerreotype, which helped to reveal the splendour of the images underneath. Despite this treatment, we are aware of cases where even modern replacement glass has rapidly deteriorated. English Heritage's investigation into ensuring the long term protection of these wonderful items continues.

Sophie Downes culturing mould samples collected in a comprehensive survey from 20 English Heritage and National Trust sites

Managing Mould

Mould is a major problem in historic properties and is predicted to increase at many UK sites with the expected changes in the climate. Previous research has shown that many conservation methods do little to prevent mould regrowth and that several actually encourage it.

Sophie Downes is undertaking a PhD to investigate mould in 20 historic properties, its risk to organic collections, and new treatment methods. The project has produced the first mould population survey of heritage environments in the UK, and includes DNA profiling.

The project is jointly funded by English Heritage and the National Trust at Birkbeck College (supervised by Dr Jane Nicklin).

A test frame for a tent sculpture cover and monitoring equipment in position at Brodsworth Hall, South Yorkshire

Protecting Outdoor Sculptures

Although little can be done to slow the decay of outdoor marble sculpture, the fact that many of our historic houses close in the colder months allows us to use winter covers. However, we do not know how effective such covers are at particular sites and which designs work best.

Melanie Keable is undertaking a PhD project to assess how protective the differing cover designs are. It uses analytical techniques to establish the rate of surface deterioration of covered and uncovered marble pieces. The findings will be assessed alongside the monitored environmental parameters.

The project is a collaboration between English Heritage and University College London (supervised by Professor Matija Strlic), funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Surface damage to a Roman skeleton from Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent

Conserving Archaeological Copper Alloy and Bone

Another area of research is on the corrosive effects of humidity and gases in showcases on archaeological copper alloys and bone. Existing studies have been inconclusive, so we are undertaking laboratory experiments to fill these gaps in our knowledge and ensure that this important evidence of our past survives. These experiments are based on methods developed during 10 years of research at English Heritage.

Extensive surveys of bone and copper alloy objects on display at our sites are being done to check that the laboratory results are representative of the real material.

This work is funded as a Conservation Fellowship by the Clothworkers’ Foundation, London, and is being carried out by Dr David Thickett. You can download more information about the project from the link below.

Another Arts and Humanities Research Council Collaborative Doctoral Project PhD is also investigating archaeological bone and ivory.

Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships

Every year we host a number of PhD students from affiliated Doctoral Training Partnerships. We also hold a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) with Historic England and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

CDP studentships match our research areas and support the work of our organisations. Students are co-supervised by members of English Heritage or Historic England staff and benefit from access to English Heritage sites, collections and expertise.

Applications are currently open for a fully funded CDP with Imperial University, focussed on understanding the deterioration and corrosion of metal parts and exhibits in museums, with the purpose of defining a long-term mitigation strategy. Applications close 19 May 2024.