National seminar on 'Physics for Cultural Heritage'

 India: (Imphal, May 25 2012): The two-day national seminar cum workshop on 'Physics for Cultural Heritage' has commenced from today at DM College of Science auditorium hall with Manipur University Vice Chancellor Prof H Nandakumar Sarma attending the inaugural session as the chief guest.

The event is being held under the joint aegis of Department of Physics, DMC Sc and the Archaeological Survey of india (New Delhi) with UGC/DST (SERB), CSIR, Directorate of Art & Culture, Department of Science & Technology, Tribal Research Institute and the 28 Assam Rifles as the collaborators.

In his address as the chief guest, Prof Nandakumar stated that main objective of the seminar cum workshop is to provide a universal scientific platform for the national scientific community of physicists, chemists, mathematicians, engineers, conservators and restorers to present and discuss the major issues in characterisation, identification, proper dating and conservation of archival discoveries.

Noting that techniques of physics are vital in the field of diagnostics for cultural heritage due to the non-invasive and non-destructive properties of the scientific branch of study, he also expressed that in the active phases of a conservation physics can serve as an important tool.

Scientific methods especially physics instrumentation play crucial role in gaining deeper insight into specific works or archaeological findings; extended knowledge on the history of manufacturing technologies; to decide on restoration and conservation strategies; and in the restoration procedures, detailed the Vice Chancellor on the vitality and importance of physics in the modern era.

on the role of physics in determining authenticity of painting of great masters, he cited stylistic evaluation, objective tests of the ageing of the material and use of scientific instrumental methods as some of the approaches for determining genuineness of antique painting.

Apart from these methods development of advanced scientific equipment has been able to maintain accuracy on the findings/assessment of a painting by the experts, he added.

Dean of School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Prof RK Gartia, who presented a detailed account on the objective of the two-day event hinted on the possibility of opening an under-graduate course on Archaeometry at DMC Science as a subsidiary subject for science and social science students.

The issue would be taken up for discussion during the post-session deliberation, he stated while explaining that such a course would be in conformity with the new policy of higher education that encourages inter-disciplinary courses that has potential for focused deeper studies.

Archaeological Society of india, being the custodian of 'treasure house of Indian Heritage and Culture' may help in the joint venture in terms of man-power and material resource, said the Dean.
Source: http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=11..260512.may12