A group led by Charlie Wood from the University of Portsmouth is developing a framework in collaboration with several heritage organisations and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to enable city-wide efforts to revolutionise heritage preservation and communication.
The city of Portsmouth is well known for its world-leading heritage sites, including Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home of King Henry VIII's flagship vessel The Mary Rose, and Lord Nelson's HMS Victory, still a commissioned vessel and the flagship of the Royal Navy under the stewardship of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.
The application of X-rays to investigate artefacts isn't new, it's formed part of rigorous analyses of heritage collections for some time; however, the shared vision to work together to tell a rich, multi-layered story of Portsmouth, through the combined collections and through the application of advanced microscopy, is indeed something new.
Charlie, an X-ray scientist, said: "Using advanced science for heritage is vital in helping preserve it for future generations. The most important aspect remains the heritage story, nothing will surpass that, but what we're looking to do is support this by using advanced microscopy to add a deeper perspective to the role the materials played, and continue to play, in the heritage story, including their degradation and conservation strategies."
X-ray imaging technology allows delicate and unique artefacts to be digitally copied in 3D, providing a way to preserve artefacts within collections under threat of decay, and a way for them to be displayed to the public without concern of damage being caused to the originals.
He added: "This 3D digital preservation through X-ray is mostly non-destructive, which is a huge advantage for the heritage sector, and the reason it has been employed previously, as it provides incredibly detailed analysis of artefacts, though care must still be taken to avoid damage when high-energy X-rays and prolonged exposures are used."
The very first iron-hulled warship, HMS Warrior
This initiative brings together the unique expertise of professionals from the Mary Rose Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Historic England, English Heritage, and the University of Portsmouth's Heritage Hub. By working collectively, the team will advance heritage science in Portsmouth, drawing on their combined strengths to uncover new insights into conservation and heritage storytelling. This collaborative approach aims to provide a richer, multi-layered perspective on the city's history, supported by cutting-edge scientific methods.
Charlie added: "Our vision is to create a model where each city or region in the UK can develop its own unique approach to heritage science, leveraging local strengths and expertise."
Gill Campbell said: "Historic England are delighted to be part of this initiative. Together we can transform heritage science practice across Portsmouth and beyond."
With this heritage framework being piloted in the city of Portsmouth, the aim is to share this nationally and inspire other cities and regions to form similar initiatives, each with its own distinctive focus. This aligns with AHRC's new Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) from AHRC, supporting heritage science by enabling interdisciplinary research and fostering a diverse and innovative approach to heritage preservation and communication across the UK.
