This is a timely volume in view of the considerable interest currently shown in the preservation of our cultural heritage, and the extensive and growing literature on the subject. Unfortunately, the latter is to be found in a wide variety of published sources, some aimed at a very specific readership and therefore not all that accessible to those who need this resource. The present volume draws together a spectrum of biodeterioration work from across the world to provide an overview of the materials examined and the methodologies employed to elucidate the nature of the problems, as well as an extensive and current bibliographical resource on lichen biodeterioration. Biodeterioration of historical and culturally important stone substrata is a complex problem to be addressed. Easy, risk-free solutions are simply not available to be dealt with by other than a wide range of expertise. Successful resolution of this issue will inevitably require a multidisciplinary effort, where biologists work in close cooperation with ecologists, geologists, geochemists, crystallographers, cultural property conservators, archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians in order to recommend the most effective management scheme. The advantage of this approach is obvious: multidisciplinary management teams with good leadership can ask more appropriate questions while developing much more thoughtful and informed decisions.

This series includes monographs, research results, and state-of-the-art reviews of conservation literature by Institute staff and others.Discusses the types and causes of stone biodeterioration in hot and humid climates, preventive and remedial methods, selection of chemical treatments, status of current research, and areas for further investigation.

Is research in stone conservation “on the rocks?” This volume, part of the GCI's Research in Conservation series, offers an in-depth critical appraisal of the status of stone conservation research today, identifying areas of strength and weakness in the field as a whole. C. A. Price, a noted British archaeological conservation scientist, discusses recent research on the causes of stone decay, as well as current preventive measures, assessment tools, and treatment durability. He also reviews current research on methods of evaluating the effectiveness of these methodologies and treatments. The book includes a comprehensive survey of the literature, draws from conversations with professionals in the field, and provides recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of research, including the improvement of training, symposia, and research programs and the establishment of conservation policy.

The conservation of historic monuments, sites and structures constitutes an inter-professional discipline co-ordinating a range of aesthetic historic, scientific and technical methods. Conservation is a rapidly developing field, which, by its true nature, is a multidisciplinary activity with experts respecting one another's contributions and combining to form an effective team. Conservation is an artistic activity aided by scientific and historical knowledge. Main topics at this Congress included: - the most appropriate methodology for the assessment of the degree of weathering of stone - development of new methods and instruments for the diagnosis of the state of conservation, for the study of alteration mechanisms and for conservation treatments. - the definition of Technical European Standard Methods for the evaluation of conservation treatments of artistic and historic stone objects and monuments.

The world's monuments, art objects and archeology are at increasing risk of deterioration from environmental threats e.g. climate change, air pollution, and tourism. Microorganisms play a central role in these deterioration processes. They grow both on the surface and in the interiors of many materials. Our understanding of the role that the microbial community plays in these activities has improved significantly in recent years and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of degradation is now possible. In addition, new tools have opened the door to the use of bacteria as protective agents. In this book, contributors have focused on the essential role that biodeterioration plays in both the deterioration and preservation of a wide range of materials. The volume brings together recent research by conservation microbiologists working in diverse environments. In addition, papers are included on the effects of microbial biofilms and climate change on the biodeterioration process. It is hoped that this book will prove helpful to microbiologists, chemists, and other scientists working in the field of conservation. It should also be useful to practicing conservators, and individuals in public policy concerned with the protection of our world's cultural heritage treasures. Contents: SECTION I - THE IMPACT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON BIODETERIORATION AND PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE MATERIALS The Importance of Microbial Biofilms in Deterioration of Heritage Materials - Marc W. Mittleman Effects of Climate Change on the Biodeterioration of Historic Materials - Peter Brimblecombe SECTION II - BIODETERIORATION AND PRESERVATION PROCESSES Microbial Processes Involved in Deterioration of Paper and Parchment - Flavia Pinzari Biodeterioration of Photographic and Cinematographic Materials: Methods of Investigation - Domenico Pangallo Biodeterioration of easel paintings - An overview - A. Teresa Caldeira, Cátia Salvador, Tânia Rosado, and António Candeias Modern materials and contemporary art - Francesca Cappitelli and Federica Villa Use of dyes as a method to control textile biodeterioration - Barbara Blyskal Biodeterioration of paintings in caves, catacombs, and other hypogean sites - Clara Urzi, Laura Bruno, and Filomena De Leo Limestone Biodeterioration: Examples from Portugal - A.C. Pinheiro, N. Mesquita, and António Portugal Reasons for Removing Biological Materials from Calcareous Stone Monuments - Margaret Breuker and Joannie Bottkol.