Historic England laboratories given ‘state-of-the-art' refurbishment
The Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth, Hampshire, have been equipped with tools to help understand how historic artefacts are made and how best to preserve them.
The site has been central in projects ranging from the re-excavation of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, conserving artefacts from the 18th century Dutch warship the Rooswijk off the Kent coast and the analysis of human remains at Birdoswald Roman Fort Cemetery at Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria.
An Historic England spokeswoman said: 'The specialist work of Historic England's science facility at Fort Cumberland plays a vital role in telling the stories of England's past.
Irene Bargagli, conservation and heritage science technician at Historic England, operating the Scanning Electron Microscope (Historic England Archive/PA)
'Over the last 75 years, its archaeologists and heritage scientists have made a significant contribution to understanding our past.
'Housing nationally important reference collections and advanced analytical instrumentation, Fort Cumberland is managed by a team of heritage scientists who provide bespoke advice and services to the heritage sector, as well as producing globally-recognised best practice guidance.'
The renovations, funded by Historic England, have involved reconfiguring the lab spaces with new flooring, heating and cooling systems while new posts have been created with funding awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
The new equipment includes a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry system (SEM-EDS) for analysing historic materials to which will provide an insight into how they are made as well as assess their condition and how to preserve them for longer.
A pewter writing set/ ink well which was recovered from the Rooswijk shipwreck (Historic England/PA)
The spokeswoman said: 'The upgraded SEM-EDS allows imaging of very small features (e.g. nanocrystals) as well as mapping the chemical composition of a wide range of materials.
'Expected uses include identifying dental wear in archaeological remains; causes of bone discolouration or butchering marks; wood and fibre species; insect remains; plant remains; and historic building materials.'
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: 'The amazing work of our archaeologists and heritage scientists is helping to uncover the hidden stories that connect us to our distant past.
'This new investment in Fort Cumberland's laboratories will enhance our research and conservation work, and improve access to our expertise, equipment and collections, helping more people to enjoy and care for their heritage.'
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BBC News
8 hours ago
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Fort Cumberland archaeological labs reopen after refit
The laboratories used to carry out research on some of the country's most significant heritage sites have reopened after a Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth have been equipped with tools to help understand how artefacts are made and how best to preserve site has been central in projects ranging including the re-excavation of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire and studying human remains found at Hadrian's England said the site "plays a vital role in telling the stories of England's past". Specialist work has been carried out at Fort Cumberland for the past 75 team has helped conserve artefacts from the 18th Century Dutch warship the Rooswijk off the Kent coast and analysed human remains at Birdoswald Roman Fort Cemetery at Hadrian's Wall in refit of the laboratories has involved new heating and cooling equipment includes a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry system (Sem-Eds) for analysing historic allows for imaging of very small features such as nanocrystals, as well as mapping the chemical composition of a wide range of materials. The system can be used to analyse dental wear in archaeological remains, the causes of bone discolouration, insect remains and historic building Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "The amazing work of our archaeologists and heritage scientists is helping to uncover the hidden stories that connect us to our distant past."This new investment in Fort Cumberland's laboratories will enhance our research and conservation work, and improve access to our expertise, equipment and collections, helping more people to enjoy and care for their heritage." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Rhyl Journal
19 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Historic England laboratories given ‘state-of-the-art' refurbishment
The Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth, Hampshire, have been equipped with tools to help understand how historic artefacts are made and how best to preserve them. The site has been central in projects ranging from the re-excavation of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, conserving artefacts from the 18th century Dutch warship the Rooswijk off the Kent coast and the analysis of human remains at Birdoswald Roman Fort Cemetery at Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria. An Historic England spokeswoman said: 'The specialist work of Historic England's science facility at Fort Cumberland plays a vital role in telling the stories of England's past. 'Over the last 75 years, its archaeologists and heritage scientists have made a significant contribution to understanding our past. 'Housing nationally important reference collections and advanced analytical instrumentation, Fort Cumberland is managed by a team of heritage scientists who provide bespoke advice and services to the heritage sector, as well as producing globally-recognised best practice guidance.' The renovations, funded by Historic England, have involved reconfiguring the lab spaces with new flooring, heating and cooling systems while new posts have been created with funding awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The new equipment includes a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry system (SEM-EDS) for analysing historic materials to which will provide an insight into how they are made as well as assess their condition and how to preserve them for longer. The spokeswoman said: 'The upgraded SEM-EDS allows imaging of very small features (e.g. nanocrystals) as well as mapping the chemical composition of a wide range of materials. 'Expected uses include identifying dental wear in archaeological remains; causes of bone discolouration or butchering marks; wood and fibre species; insect remains; plant remains; and historic building materials.' Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: 'The amazing work of our archaeologists and heritage scientists is helping to uncover the hidden stories that connect us to our distant past. 'This new investment in Fort Cumberland's laboratories will enhance our research and conservation work, and improve access to our expertise, equipment and collections, helping more people to enjoy and care for their heritage.'
The Independent
20 hours ago
- The Independent
Historic England laboratories given ‘state-of-the-art' refurbishment
The laboratories used by Historic England's scientists to carry out research from some of the country's most significant heritage sites are reopening after a state-of-the-art refit. The Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth, Hampshire, have been equipped with tools to help understand how historic artefacts are made and how best to preserve them. The site has been central in projects ranging from the re-excavation of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, conserving artefacts from the 18th century Dutch warship the Rooswijk off the Kent coast and the analysis of human remains at Birdoswald Roman Fort Cemetery at Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria. An Historic England spokeswoman said: 'The specialist work of Historic England's science facility at Fort Cumberland plays a vital role in telling the stories of England's past. 'Over the last 75 years, its archaeologists and heritage scientists have made a significant contribution to understanding our past. ' Housing nationally important reference collections and advanced analytical instrumentation, Fort Cumberland is managed by a team of heritage scientists who provide bespoke advice and services to the heritage sector, as well as producing globally-recognised best practice guidance.' The renovations, funded by Historic England, have involved reconfiguring the lab spaces with new flooring, heating and cooling systems while new posts have been created with funding awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The new equipment includes a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry system (SEM-EDS) for analysing historic materials to which will provide an insight into how they are made as well as assess their condition and how to preserve them for longer. The spokeswoman said: 'The upgraded SEM-EDS allows imaging of very small features (e.g. nanocrystals) as well as mapping the chemical composition of a wide range of materials. 'Expected uses include identifying dental wear in archaeological remains; causes of bone discolouration or butchering marks; wood and fibre species; insect remains; plant remains; and historic building materials.' Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: 'The amazing work of our archaeologists and heritage scientists is helping to uncover the hidden stories that connect us to our distant past. 'This new investment in Fort Cumberland's laboratories will enhance our research and conservation work, and improve access to our expertise, equipment and collections, helping more people to enjoy and care for their heritage.'
