The Fall Forum features several scholars and scientists presenting a cross-discipline conversation, about the discovery and conservation of the Archimedes Palimpsest. In session one, Conservation Scientist Glenn Gates will discuss current research in the field of cultural heritage that is conducted at the Walters Art Museum in collaboration with other institutions.

A brief history of the development of this field over the past two decades will be reviewed, with particular attention to the recently established program of federal funding entitled Chemistry and Materials Research in Cultural Heritage Science at the National Science Foundation.

Gates will also describe analyses conducted on the Archimedes Palimpsest at the Walters Art Museum and the significance of the results. Finally, Gates will describe specific examples of current cultural heritage research at the Walters Art Museum, how research questions are formulated, and how scientific research is conducted at the Walters Art Museum.

About the Speaker

Glenn Gates is a Conservation Scientist at the Walters Art Museum. He has worked as a scientist for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, Harvard University Art Museums, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of South Florida in 2001, his M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida in 1997 and his B.A. from New College of Florida in 1992.

This talk is part of a half day forum focused on the special exhibition Lost and Found: The Secrets of Archimedes.