Revealing the Past: How Science Is Unlocking Cartographic Secrets

Although advanced imaging and analytical techniques have long been available, it is only over the last 3–5 years that they have been more generally applied to serious study of library materials. This has been driven by incredible advances in technology which allow for non-invasive, non-sampling, non-contact methods to be designed specifically with the curators’ concerns for the safety of the material in mind. At the same time the curators’ increasing awareness of what is possible has increased the demand for such services.