Detective work using terahertz radiation

Damaging biocides can be detected on old wooden sculptures, hidden wall paintings can be made visible again and the layered structures of pieces of art analyzed. Using terahertz scanners restorers will soon be able to identify ...

Colorful wall hangings can contain toxic substances

Traditional Swedish bonad paintings can contain toxic substances such as arsenic, reveals new research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in which painting conservator and conservation scientist Ingalill Nyström ...

Controversy over reopening the 'Sistine Chapel' of Stone Age art

Plans to reopen Spain's Altamira caves are stirring controversy over the possibility that tourists' visits will further damage the 20,000-year old wall paintings that changed views about the intellectual ability of prehistoric ...

Lascaux's 18,000 year-old cave art under threat

They call her the Old Lady, for she is some 18,000 years old and frail, which is why she is protected by steel doors, security cameras and the gentlest nurturing the 21st century has to offer.

Cleaning up masterpieces with ... bacteria?

(PhysOrg.com) -- For most people the word bacteria will conjure up either images of nasty microorganisms that we fight against daily by cleaning the spaces around us, or the type of 'good' bacteria doctors advise us to consume ...

Goddess of fortune found in Sussita

A wall painting (fresco) of Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune, was exposed during the 11th season of excavation at the Sussita site, on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee, which was conducted by researchers of the University ...

Nanoparticles for cultural heritage conservation

(PhysOrg.com) -- The conservation of Mayan wall paintings at the archaeological site of Calakmul (Mexico) will be one on the subjects touched upon by Piero Baglioni (based at the University of Florence) in his invited lecture ...

Egypt unveils discovery of 4,300-year-old tombs

Egyptian archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a newly-unearthed double tomb with vivid wall paintings in the ancient necropolis of Saqqara near Cairo, saying it could be the start for uncovering a vast cemetery in the area.

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