Abstract
The historic environment undergoes cycles of material deterioration, and these processes have a powerful impact on the meanings and values associated with it. In particular, decay informs the experience of authenticity, as a tangible mark of age and ‘the real’. This article examines the intersection between material transformation, scientific intervention and cultural value. Drawing on qualitative social research at three Scottish historic buildings, we show that there are a complex range of cultural values and qualities associated with material transformation. Furthermore, we highlight how the use of science-based conservation to characterise, and intervene in, processes of material transformation can affect these values and qualities. We argue that it is necessary and important to consider the cultural ramifications of such interventions alongside their material effects. This requires a case-by-case approach, because the cultural values and qualities associated with material transformation are context-specific and vary with different kinds of monuments and materials. We conclude with a series of recommendations aimed at integrating humanities and science-based approaches to transformation in the historic environment.
Highlights
Stone, brick and mortar are the most widespread materials making up the historic-built environment throughout Europe, and to varying degrees in other parts of the world
The value of transformation in this sense was epitomised by the Romantic ideal of the mediaeval ruin created at the hand of nature [19], and formalised by Alois Riegl [20] in the concept of ‘age value’ wherein visible decay and disintegration of material fabric embodied the passage of time, the age of the material affected, and was immediately and aesthetically accessible
We used participant observation and interviewing to gain insight into the values associated with material transformation and the use of heritage science at three heritage sites
Summary
Brick and mortar are the most widespread materials making up the historic-built environment throughout Europe, and to varying degrees in other parts of the world. We define heritage science broadly as anything involving the application of scientific methods for measuring change, analysing materials, protecting them from decay, and consolidating vulnerable components [2,3] This encompasses a common distinction between applications of science to advancing understanding (of both material change and heritage environments), and intervening to modify, manage, or arrest material change [3]. The latter area is sometimes referred to as ‘conservation science’ [4] and includes both preventive conservation based on scientific understandings of agencies and processes of deterioration (sometimes referred to as ‘environmental conservation’), as well as remedial conservation, which may include adding or removing materials using techniques originally developed through scientific research
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