Microbial Infestation of Objects of Art and Cultural Heritage

The focus of this course is on the presentation of various detection and analysis methods of microorganisms found on cultural heritage. In addition to simpler analytical techniques, you will learn about specific and modern methods. Practices of sampling and non-destructive testing will be presented.

Find out which statements that are important for conservators can actually be obtained with the techniques presented.

Course Content

Essentially the courses are divided into modules. This allows judging the scope and content of the courses to help estimate the time and work involved.

  • Microbial Infestation
    • The first one is an introduction into microbiology. It allows students with no corresponding background to learn the basics of microbiology and thus to be able to follow the course. This is of particular importance for non-university implementation, as microbiology in the conservation of cultural objects has not been pursued much outside the university.
  • Sampling
    • The second module, which is smaller, is more practice oriented: it explains the different sampling techniques and which types of sample material are suited for which analyses and tests.
  • Detection and Analysis
    • The third module contains various methods of detection and analyses of microorganisms that pose a threat to cultural objects. The participants learn not only easy to use analyses techniques but also very specific and modern specialist ones.

Moreover, the course provides a reading list, an extensive glossary and links to other internet sites on the same topics. The course should rather explain the possibilities of your available sources. Our aim is to enable you first to decide which method will be effective and to decide afterwards whichever equipment or procedure is needed.

This course is a translation of the German course.

The Authors

Barbara Hentschel has graduated in Conservation and Restoration at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/ Holzminden/ Göttingen and wrote a master's thesis in the field of microbiology. Since 2000 she has been a research assistant at HAWK and advises authors of e-learning offers.

Prof. Dr. Karin Petersen teached microbiology at the Faculty of Architecture, Engineering and Conservation at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim/ Holzminden/ Göttingen. One of her special subjects is the examination of microbic infestation of objects of art and cultural heritage, the resulting damages and the related health risks for humans.

Contact

Queries can be sent to: fortbildung@hornemann-institut.de