Assessing the outcome is of central importance when developing new conservation methods. This task is complex and may involve quantifying stability directly or through proxies, mechanical assessment, and visual appearance. Oxygen consumption is a well-established method for both the quantification of the degradation of iron objects and the effect of conventional desalination methods. This paper investigates the evolution of oxygen consumption of objects treated by reburial, a new conservation method currently under development. By combining these measurements with mechanical and visual assessment, insight was gained into processes happening during and after conservation. Changes were observed during treatment that indicate that the new method has potential: no overall tendency to crack formation or surface loss during reburial, preserved and identifiable original surface, no problematic color changes, and potential improvement in chemical stability. On the other hand, challenges were experienced with current measurement schemes for the material that led to new recommendations on how to employ oxygen consumption measurements on archeological iron objects.
In response to the absence of historical attention devoted to the development of solvent and reagent safety in painting conservation, this study provides an overview of changes in materials used and precautionary measures adopted in the painting conservation department of the Courtauld Institute of Art, from 1934 to the present day. A chronology of key developments, shaped by external regulatory and financial factors, as well as internal shifts in awareness and practice, is constructed through archival and anecdotal evidence. By highlighting and characterising contexts which have historically been conducive to the adoption of less toxic materials and safer approaches, this investigation informs current research projects aimed at developing more sustainable treatment methods. The study underlines the crucial responsibility, and potential influence, of educational institutions in establishing the right mindset and practical skills in conservators early on, helping to ensure safer solvent practices and, ultimately, broader change within the field.
The Istanbul Historic Area is a heritage landscape that faces tourism, development pressure, and socio-demographic changes. Aligned with the objectives of the Istanbul Historic Areas Management Plan, this study presents a reproducible monitoring and early warning prototype for Fatih district (57 neighborhoods). The proposed approach calculates three composite indices at the neighborhood-year level using 2014-2024 panel data: pressure (P) reflects tourism and development dynamics; vulnerability (V) measures socio-demographic and economic sensitivity, conceptualized here as a driver of indirect pressure on heritage through reduced community capacity for upkeep and advocacy; and heritage sensitivity (S) represents conservation status. The risk scores obtained using these indices (R = P & times; V, RS = P & times; S) are classified into 'low-medium-high' using panel-wide fixed thresholds (p33/p66), which give insights not only to 'where' but also 'under what conditions and when'. This monitoring system, built on a lightweight CIDOC-CRM compliant data backbone, represents a key methodological contribution. In this model, every indicator is tagged regarding location, time, data source, and method to transform it into a traceable and auditable evidence record. Results suggest persistent high-risk hotspots concentrate in the Beyaz & imath;t-Sultanahmet and Zeyrek areas, where pressure and fragility combine, and episodic risk patterns for some other neighborhoods. The study concludes by presenting a scalable reference model that embeds preventive conservation principles into urban governance, offering a transparent and cost-effective decision-support infrastructure to enable proactive intervention before irreversible damage occurs.
