Module 1, Lesson 2

Tangible Heritage 2: The Evolution of Defining Preservation

The aim of this lecture is to follow the evolution of definitions/descriptions of preservation methods. Arguing that preservation is an evolving and consistently modernised process, the practices, perspectives and therefore definitions arising from a specific time period speak equally to the technological advancements of that era. Sections of this lecture will be divided into the introspection of such eras, beginning with documenting antiquity in 18th C Europe, historic documentation and restoration in 19th C France and England, Theories of preservation in 20th C Europe, to today’s technology of the 21st C.