title: The surface of cultural heritage artefacts: physicochemical investigations for their knowledge and their conservation.
abstract: This tutorial review intends to show, through demonstrative examples chosen from the recent literature, how surface characterisation conducted by modern investigation methods leads to very rich information on a cultural heritage artefact's history, fabrication techniques and conservation state. Application of surface science to conservation science is of great help for the definition of a conservation and restoration policy for museum and archaeological objects. A brief description of the investigation methods is given, together with relevant references for more detailed information.
authors.affiliation: C2RMF (Unité Mixte de Recherche 171, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Palais de Louvre, 14 quai F. Mitterrand, 75001 Paris, France. marc.aucouturier@culture.gouv.fr
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aucouturier
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Darque-Ceretti