Scientific research is completed on many materials in the collection using a variety of sophisticated measurement techniques, which are selected based on the question we are trying to answer.
Finding suitable research partners and determining appropriate suites of analysis is crucial for us to understand the materials. This understanding will enable us to care for and successfully preserve our collection for years to come.
Research into what things are made of is just one element of our research; how things worked is another. Often this is undertaken by making reproductions of artefacts and trying to use them. This ‘experimental archaeology’ is another branch of research. Significant projects include musical instruments, weapons, cooking, and elements of the ships structure.