AHRC/EPSRC SCIENCE & HERITAGE PROGRAMME • SUSTAINING THE IMPACT OF UK SCIENCE AND HERITAGE RESEARCH
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amount of data, predict the presence of a sub-surface painting, and to distinguish air gaps (which inform about the condition of the mural painting as a whole) or changes in plaster composition at a sub-surface level. The technique is able to non-invasively detail the condition and life history of the painting. However, as a consequence of analysing the mural painting in this way, the need became obvious for specialist knowledge from an on-site expert to fully interpret the results, through conservation expertise, documentary evidence and additional information from other imaging techniques or analysis of wall samples. In this sense, during the progression of this project, THz imaging has been integrated into the diverse tools employed by those working in cultural heritage conservation, as it has now been used alongside all of the above mentioned analysis techniques to provide information on the structure and condition of artworks. This research project has taken part in experimental missions to Chartres Cathedral, France, Çatalhöyük, Turkey, The Riga Dome and Mary Magdalene Church, Latvia, Church Hole, Creswell Caves, Derbyshire, Chapel of the Frescos, Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction in Villeneuve les Avignon, France and St. Thomas’ Church, Salisbury. Three of these missions, Çatalhöyük, Creswell Caves and St. Thomas’ Church, were initiated and organised by this research project and each came about as a result of contact developed following an oral conference presentation. Initially it appeared easier to instigate missions on archaeological sites as the end user was more used to the application of novel technology onsite and more open to any information that a technique could offer rather than having a specific concern as is the case in the conservation of historic buildings and churches. However, it was the presentation of the results from archaeological sites that demonstrated both the ability of the technology to perform in on-site environments and the results that could be achieved. Finally, through work with a private conservator, a mural painting has been scanned in a Church in England for the first time: The Doom painting in St. Thomas’ Church, Salisbury.
funded, under the banner of Seeing Through Walls. A total of eight students have been given the opportunity to develop research in the cultural heritage field, from the measurement of pigment samples, to the development of platform independent software for the analysis of THz data. These projects have enabled the students to develop research projects which address two key remits. As scientists they were asked to infer and investigate the potential of the technology, but further address the question of which of the techniques developed are of actual use in the cultural heritage field. The opportunity and time dedicated to the presentation of a new technique to diverse audiences has made the abstract possibility of the use of this technique an actuality through missions funded by this grant. Further, a bespoke piece of software has been developed to analyse results onsite. Complex signal processing algorithms are incorporated on a platform-independent suite for the use of non-THz specialists. This software is not only instrumental for non-specialist users – it has proved a teaching aid, as I have worked alongside computer science students to develop it.
The system at du Val de Bénédiction in Villeneuve les Avignon
The impact of this project has been diverse and wide ranging but ultimately with a singular aim: developing THz imaging as a cultural heritage tool for the needs of the cultural heritage community.
Gillian Walker at Mary Magdalene Church, Latvia
Three MSc projects have been hosted by the project: two were awarded distinctions, and a third is being conducted this summer. In addition, funding for six undergraduate research projects (UROPs) was sought and five were