The conservation of cultural heritage focuses on protection and care of tangible cultural heritage, including artworks, architecture, archaeology, and museum collections.

Conservation activities involve protection and restoration using any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible for as long as possible. Conservation is often associated with art collections and museums. 

Conservation of cultural heritage applies simple ethical guidelines:

• Minimal intervention
• Appropriate materials and reversible methods
• Full documentation of all work undertaken

Often there are compromises between preserving the appearance, maintaining the original design and material properties, and ability to reverse changes. Reversibility is now emphasized so as to reduce problems with future treatment, investigation, and use.

15th century Lady Chapel | Gloucester Cathedral

Conservation – Restoration – Integration