Studies of the properties and performance of ancient objects and the process underlying their deterioration, preservation and conservation; Development and uses of tools and methods for destructive and non-destructive examination and characterization of ancient artifacts; Petrographic classification for study of potteries, study of microstructures to relate to the technology of making and shaping to metallic materials over the ages; Surface studies of ancient objects to relate to the environment and medium; Critical understanding of how ancient people developed, used and transferred technologies to solve problems of survival, organization and the making of objects that represent what was important to them. |