Abstract
Abstract. This paper introduces the aims and early activities of Colour and Space in Cultural Heritage (COSCH), an interdisciplinary European network of experts in the latest optical measuring techniques and electronic imaging applied to documentation of artefacts. COSCH is a forum open to organisations, institutions and companies interested in collaboration within the emerging field of precise spectral and spatial imaging techniques, in physical and chemical sciences applied to cultural heritage objects, as well as in research and applications to conservation and art-historical analysis of such objects. COSCH started in November 2012. Funded by COST, an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology, COSCH networking activities enable knowledge exchange and coordination of nationally-funded research on a European level with occasional contribution of experts from other countries. Funding has been made available for four years (2012–2016). Participation is open to researchers across a wide range of disciplines, including computer scientists and museum professionals, art historians and academics in heritage-related fields. COSCH is a trans-domain Action (TD1201) of the COST Domain Materials, Physics and Nanosciences (MPNS) which facilitates and promotes innovation in material science. The work of COSCH is defined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the COST Office and the Chairman of COSCH. The Memorandum is available from http://www.cost.eu/domains_actions/mpns/Actions/TD1201 alongside the latest progress report and other documents. The scientific work draws on earlier and current research of the participants and is organised around the following areas: spectral and spatial object documentation; algorithms and procedures; analysis and restoration of surfaces and objects of material culture; visualisation of cultural heritage objects and its dissemination. Up-to-date information about COSCH activities, including its scientific and training programmes, abstracts of presentations and a list of participants, can all be found on the Action website at http://www.cosch.info.
Highlights
1.1 BackgroundTrue, precise and complete documentation of artefacts is essential for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage (CH)
Precise and complete documentation of artefacts is essential for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage (CH)
The development of networking, information exchange, dissemination and capacity building measures, within the framework established by COST for trans-domain actions, will continue throughout the duration of the Colour and Space in Cultural Heritage (COSCH) Action
Summary
Precise and complete documentation of artefacts is essential for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage (CH). An urgent need has been identified to promote interdisciplinary research, development and application of non-contact optical measurement techniques (spectral and spatial) – adapted to the needs of material heritage documentation – on a concerted European level, in order to record, analyse, understand, protect, preserve, model, virtually reproduce and publish important cultural heritage in Europe and beyond. Research in this field has typically relied on nationally-funded projects with insufficient interaction between experts and stakeholders. By stimulating research into simplified usage of high-resolution optical techniques COSCH aims to define good practices and widen their adoption within cultural heritage sectors and education
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