There are two major streams to the theme of Heritage and Science that has been chosen for International Day for Monuments and Sites 2009: one being the role that science (and the scientific process) has played in the creation of heritage, and the other being the contribution that science (and technology) offers to the study of heritage. It is now difficult to separate science and technology; whilst science (as a system of processes and a body of knowledge about the physical world) can often exist without technology, the converse is not true. Technology is a system of tools and procedures concerned with modifying the physical world, and to a great extent is based on science. The bulk of the World’s tangible heritage, excluding perhaps completely natural landscapes, is the result of this practical application of knowledge.

A structure like the Ironbridge (UK) clearly shows the influence of science and technology in its construction; not only the bracing that disperses the load but also the mining, smelting, transport infrastructure and organised labour components that made the structure possible. The Temples of Angkor (Cambodia) not only illustrate an understanding of astronomy, but also of hydrology, mechanics and the requirements for tools suitable for the quarrying of the stone, placing the blocks, and the execution of the reliefs and frescos. The site of Maritime Greenwich (UK) is noted for its association with the science of astronomy and the determination of position and time; whilst being architecturally significant, it is primarily a monument to scientific endeavour. It is also a monument to the practical application of science, as the manufacture of the transit telescope and the precision timepieces depended on the availability of suitable materials and tools. Fundamentally, without science and technology, no monument or structure could exist.

The contribution that science and technology can now make to the conservation, preservation and even understanding of cultural heritage is rapidly evolving and expanding. For example: the use of lasers for the treatment of surfaces and the measurement of shape and form; non-destructive methods of exploration and examination; chemicals and compounds for treating artefacts and structures; isotope analysis to determine causes of stone deterioration; the analysis of compounds using X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometers; the use of information systems to store and analyse data; structural analysis and finite element modelling as a means of planning repair works; and even the use of communication technology for the dissemination of research and developments. Unfortunately, not all contributions are positive; the development of modern weapons explosives also facilitated the reduction of the Bamiyan Buddhas to rubble, and destroys much other tangible and intangible heritage on a daily basis.

The selection of the theme for the International Day for Monuments and Sites offers an opportunity to review and acknowledge the role of science (and technology) in cultural heritage from the two points-of-view mentioned above. It also provides an incentive to discuss potential benefits and threats that science may provide in the future, with respect to the safeguarding of the ‘things we want to keep’.

The Scientific Council’s Initiative - Technological Change

The United Nations has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy – for which UNESCO has been designated lead agency, and the World Heritage Centre continues to develop its “Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative”. To complement this, ICOMOS will celebrate its International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April 2009 under the working title, Heritage and Science. One of the ways ICOMOS will contribute to the exploration of this topic is through its Scientific Council (SC). The Scientific Council consists of the Presidents, or their designated representatives, of all the 28 ICOMOS International Scientific Committees (ISCs). One of its mandates is to develop “umbrella” themes for interdisciplinary research. Since 2006, that theme has been Global Climate Change and its effects on cultural heritage, which resulted, among other, in a one-day symposium during the Advisory Committee meeting in Pretoria in October 2007.

At the 16th General Assembly in Quebec 2008, the Scientific Council chose to continue with the theme of change under the banner Changing World, Changing Views of Heritage: the impact of global change on cultural heritage. Moving from Climate Change to Technological Change (2009), and from there to Social Change (2010), all three change elements will be brought back together as sub-themes to complement and enhance the theme of natural disasters chosen for the 17th General Assembly (2011, Isfahan, Iran).

Like Climate Change, each theme will be the topic of a one-day symposium during the annual Advisory Committee meeting. The symposia will use a similar format to the one held in Pretoria, including breakout sessions with the Scientific Council identifying issues related to each ISC in order to develop recommendations. Papers produced in advance of the symposia will provide contributions to the Heritage at Risk publication.

For the sub-theme Technological Change, Cliff Ogleby, President of CIPA (International Committee on Heritage Documentation), has been appointed as chair. Some of the topics that will be included are the speed of change, the impact of information technology, industrial heritage, water management, materials and techniques, disaster mitigation, climate change, and the cultural heritage of science. A scientific committee under Cliff Ogleby’s direction, consisting of representatives from various ISCs and National Committees, will develop a brief that will be circulated on the SC listserv and to all of the National Committees. Interested professionals will contribute through debate of the brief until a position paper is formulated that will guide efforts on the topic up until the symposium. In addition, papers will be sought for presentation at the symposium and/or to be published in Heritage at Risk. These can be specific case studies or overall discussions on technological change and the heritage of science.

The symposium breakout sessions are the opportunity for those participating to contribute to the formulation of recommendations that are published in the ICOMOS newsletter as well as on the website. The recommendations become the bridge to implementation of strategies that further the Scientific Council’s research in specific areas of interest.

Pamela Jerome
Scientific Council Coordinator, President of the ISC Earthen Architecture

Cliff Ogleby
Chair – Technological Change sub-theme (2009), President of ICOMOS CIPA