Heritage Science Laboratory

The Heritage Science Laboratory at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth covers the following subject areas: Archaeology, Heritage Science, Archaeological Archives, Fort Cumberland is also home to the Nautical Archaeology Society and the south west office of the CITiZAN project. The facility houses unique biological collections, an array of instrumentation (SEM-DX, XRD, XRF, FTIR) and laboratories (Material Science, Conservation and Environmental Archaeology) run by a diverse team of heritage scientists. These experts provide high quality, consistent, individually tailored advice to the sector and produce best practice guidance of global reach. They also convene a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs), carry out teaching and supervision of students and manage on-the job learning placements. The facility provides capability in analytical and conservation work on marine archaeology, historic sites, buildings, landscapes and wrecks. The laboratory has a particular expertise in the investigative conservation of marine artefacts and research into the preservation of archaeological remains in-situ.