Heritage Malta’s Diagnostic Science Laboratories (DSL) are the national laboratories responsible for the application of scientific solutions within the cultural heritage sector. Solutions range from the examination of items to analysing their materials using analytical tools with a team of qualified personnel. The laboratories carry out scientific diagnostics in conservation-restoration and curato
rial scenarios for the documentation and material characterisation of art, objects, archaeological and architectural sites as well as monuments. Whilst working in a multidisciplinary team comprising of scientists, historians and conservator-restorers, the laboratory promotes the upkeep of standards and applies scientific procedures backed up with the latest technological training on the services offered. This ensures that the information communicated to a conservator-restorer will be beneficial to the conditional state of the object, in the process advancing the understanding of its mechanisms of deterioration. This guarantees the provision of information for the continued care of historical and archaeological artefacts. The same standard is also exercised in the quest of answering historical questions of curatorial importance. The laboratories’ main duties also include the research and promotion of scientific applications within cultural heritage for purposes of advancing current scientific methodologies and contributing to more knowledge on the artefacts analysed. Whilst the laboratories’ primary focus is on the National Collection, services to bodies outside Heritage Malta are also offered. These include services to private collectors, conservators/restorers, organisations as well as the general industry such as the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
