PAPER, CONSERVAR PATRIMÓNIO (HERITAGE CONSERVATION)
- Manuel Lemosa, Isabel Tissotb. 2019. Reflections on the conservation challenges of scientific and technological objects. In Conservar Património, Professional Association of Conservators-Restorers of Portugal (ARP), Vol. 33, p. 24-31, ISSN 2182-994
Reflections on the conservation challenges of scientific and technological objects
a Archeofactu b LIBPhys-NOVA University LisbonAbstract
The conservation of science and technology (S&T) heritage encompasses complex challenges. There are several causes for this status quo, including the specific characteristics of S&T objects: the wide variety of materials, construction techniques and dimensions, and the existence of operating mechanisms. Presently, the used conservation methods are not fully adapted to the specificity of this heritage, and to overcome this situation it is necessary to increase the research on the S&T conservation domain. This paper identifies the main challenges for the S&T objects conservation and gives guidelines to overcome them, by: i) increasing knowledge on materials and their degradation; ii) understanding the object´s function; iii) researching and developing new conservation techniques compatible with the characteristics of S&T objects; and iv) generating tools for the decision-making process for the definition and implementation of conservation and maintenance programs.
