Interview with the Heritage Science theme leader: “We are at the cusp of asking questions we never before thought were possible”

Mikael Fauvelle preparing a steatite stone bowl fragment for SXRF analysis at the Balder Beamline at MAX IV. 2. Teotihuacan style ceramic figurine head found during excavations at Fracción Mujular in Chiapas, Mexico, led by Heritage Science theme leader Mikael Fauvelle.3. Analysis of amber bead from Gillhög in Scania using Optical Photothermal Infrared Spectrometry at Lund University. New Analysis of Neolithic Amber project.

Mikael Fauvelle is theme leader for the Heritage Science theme, which started at LINXS in September. In this interview, he shares his hopes for the new theme, reflects on ideal outcomes, and highlights why the theme starts at a pivotal time for archeological and cultural heritage science.

– The LINXS theme comes at a really good time. Recent advances in neutron and X-ray science have opened the door to new applications that bridge the divide between the sciences and the humanities. It makes it the perfect moment to begin conversations about what we can do, and how, with an aim to develop research questions we never before thought was possible, says Mikael Fauvelle, researcher at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University.

Mikael Fauvelle is researcher at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University, and theme leader of the Heritage Science theme.

Creating platforms for knowledge sharing and discussions between archaeologists, anthropologists, art historians, paleontologists, geologists, chemists, and physicists will be at the forefront of the theme’s activities. This step is pivotal to advance and explore the cutting-edge potential of using X-rays and neutron science to study heritage science, according to Mikael Fauvelle.

– From my own experience, I know how important it is for people from different disciplines to meet. If we don't create these arenas, we will not be able to understand each other’s language, or challenges, and long-term, we might miss out on opportunities and new research collaborations.

Another focus of the theme will be to advance practices to safeguard the future of archeological and cultural heritage research – since there is a finite nature of archeological resources.

– We have to be careful stewards of our collections, and from that perspective neutrons and X-rays can help us collect information without causing damage since they allow us to look inside artefacts in non-destructive ways. Using these techniques can therefore help us not only to identify new, and up to now, unknown scientific knowledge, but also protect what have been collected over centuries.

The theme gathers a core group with researchers and beamline scientists from Lund University, University of Oxford, Museum University of Bergen, MAX IV Laboratory, ZAG, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, and Institut Laue-Langevin. It will work across six working groups: 1. Fieldwork and collections, 2. Conservation, 3. Advancing analysis, 4. Quantitative methods, 5. Visualization, and 6. Communication.

At Bergen, the work will be led by archaeologist Björn Nilsson, who was previously at Lund University. He was also leader for the Geology, Archeology and Cultural Heritage working group, under the former Imaging theme at LINXS.

– It is great that we can build on the work Björn did back at LINXS under the Imaging theme. Many of the people involved then are now active within the theme, which is a big benefit to starting up our work quickly.

What does Mikael Fauvelle see as ideal outcome once the theme finishes in 2026?

– I would like the networks and collaborations we are now establishing to continue, so that we can apply for European money to become a centre for neutron and X-ray cultural heritage science here in Lund; the best place for it. A big aim is to work on applications which can move us into the future and new research arenas.

LINXS role is pivotal in this long-term work, he emphasises:

– The concept at LINXS is fantastic since it provides an umbrella for inviting guest researchers, and new contacts to Lund. These meetings can hopefully become the start of a new publication, future research efforts, or other collaborations. The theme also allows us to build Lund as an important hub for this type of research.

The first theme activity is the kick-off meeting and MAX IV training on 5-6 October. Read more about the event and register.

Read more about the Heritage Science theme