This book has been long awaited not only by the conservation profession but also by archaeologists and other professionals working in museums and galleries. It is a source of reference which can be used to look up ways of identifying what particular material objects are made from, the compounds that are associated with them, and/or the
characteristics of the materials used to pack and store them.
In this volume, the authors have assembled spot tests for metals, inorganic compounds, organic and synthetic materials, as well as a number of other tests that help to characterize certain properties. The tests included are applicable to a wide range of
objects, including metal, textile, leather, paper, plastics and architectural materials. Each section includes a detailed description of the methodology of each test and the authors evaluation of the effectiveness of the tests.