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1. Improving Laboratory Methods for Understanding and Preserving Material Culture
This research program develops, tests, and applies new methods for documenting and preserving cultural materials, with a focus on ceramics, stone, metals, and glass. A current major area of concentration i experimenting with innovative methods of image analysis for characterizing materials, and to improve preservation efforts and monitoring of deterioration.
2. Documenting Traditional Cultural Heritage
This research program includes studies of both material culture and related intangible cultural heritage (skills, knowledge, and beliefs connected with craft production and objects). Since 2006 the focus has been on craft traditions in Asia. We are particularly interested in identifying technological innovation and change, and on policies that promote and support traditional technologies. Ethnographic field studies document the technical methods and cultural context of rapidly disappearing traditional craft workshops.