Artefacts from the legendary Titanic, research into ancient Egyptian industry using cutting-edge technologies and recent conservation works at the Royal Exhibition Building will each be explored in a series of free lectures at Melbourne Museum to celebrate National Archaeology Week, May 16-22.
Restoring our Icons
Presented by Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown, Lovell Chen Architect and Heritage Consultants
6pm, Tuesday 18 May
Architecture and heritage consultants Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown have been important contributors to the conservation and restoration work of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens over the past four decades that culminated in its 2004 inscription on the World Heritage List. Most recently, an archaeological investigation of the site was undertaken to search for traces of historic garden beds and other features that might provide a basis for the German Garden’s reconstruction, which will be undertaken according to the original 19th century design.
Join us at Melbourne Museum to learn more about these important projects to preserve this iconic site.
Using new technology to unlock ancient Egyptian secrets.
Presented by Dr Mark Ecclestone
6pm, Wednesday 19 May
This talk will reveal Dr Eccleston’s recent research applying experimental archaeology and synchrotron science to the use of metals in a variety of industries in New Kingdom Egypt (ca 1500 – 1100 BC). The work was undertaken in Egypt, Australia and Hamburg and the results have greatly increased archaeologists’ understanding of faience – a decorative process applied to ceramic items ranging from pottery to funery objects – and links between the faience industry and state-controlled copper mining enterprises.
Dr Mark Eccleston has been a Research Fellow in the Archaeology Program at La Trobe University since 2007. Prior to that he was the Teaching Fellow in Archaeological Materials at the University of Sheffield in the UK from 2003 – 2006. He has a background in Archaeology, Egyptology and Materials Science and has undertaken archaeological fieldwork in Australia, UK, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus.
Conservation of artefacts from the RMS Titanic: a herculean challenge and a rare privilege.
Presented by Dr Ian MacLeod
6pm, Thursday 20 May
This lecture will look at objects recovered from the debris field of the Titanic and what scientists have learned about the unusual processes of corrosion and decay that take place in the dark, icy waters almost four kilometres from the surface. Scientists can now explain the impacts of pressure on the chemistry of calcium minerals and the absence of human remains from the wreck site, as well as new methods developed to treat delicate newspapers and leather items recovered from the ocean floor.
Dr Ian McLeod is a corrosion chemist and materials conservator who has worked for the Western Australian Museum for the past 30 years. His interest lies in shipwrecks and the methods used to conserve them.
Bookings are essential, ph 13 11 02
For further information, please visit museumvictoria.com.au
Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street Carlton