Welcome to
Heritage Science
Laboratory Ljubljana
Welcome to
Heritage Science
Laboratory Ljubljana
We are based at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubjana and are a diverse group of researchers addressing interdisciplinary heritage science research questions. These often require cutting edge scientific skills and facilities, but also a highly collaborative approach to research. To read more about what shapes our research philosophy, consider this editorial by the Lab Lead, professor Matija Strlič.
Featured news
and events
Experiences Through Sensorial Language in Arts and Heritage
The Art of Sensorial Language examines audience interactivity and multisensory experiences that can be understood internationally and cross‑culturally. It considers interactivity not as a technological mode of interaction but as a direct and immediate communication between the audience and the [...]
Dry Swabbing for Non-destructive Mass Spectrometry Analysis of PVC surfaces
Researchers from the Heritage Science Laboratory Ljubljana and the Smithsonian Institution have developed a non-destructive method for characterising surface exudates on PVC objects using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The approach relies on simple dry swabbing, designed to be accessible to museums [...]
How to choose the optimal archival box for historic objects
This is the overarching question that HSLL researchers Jernej Markelj, Ida Kraševec and Matija Strlič, together with Josep Grau-Bove (Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London) and Evy Vereecken (KU Leuven and Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage), have investigated in [...]
What Acidic Compounds are Really Emitted by Historic PVC?
A new study by HSLL researchers, published in npj Heritage Science, sheds new light on the acidic emissions produced during the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a material widely found in heritage collections. In the paper titled “Poly(vinyl chloride) degradation: [...]
Emma Paolin Wins Best Oral Presentation Award at YISAC 2025
From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Ljubljana (UL FKKT) hosted the 30th edition of the international conference YISAC 2025 (Young Investigators' Seminar on Analytical Chemistry). The event was [...]
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Primorska Faculty of Humanities launches a pioneering course in Heritage Science.
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska (UP FHŠ), has recently introduced a new academic course titled "Heritage Science," reinforcing its commitment to interdisciplinary education in the study, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management [...]
Featured news
and events
-
Experiences Through Sensorial Language in Arts and Heritage
The Art of Sensorial Language examines audience interactivity and multisensory experiences that can be understood internationally and cross‑culturally. It considers interactivity not as a technological mode of interaction but as a direct and immediate communication between the audience and the [...]
-
Dry Swabbing for Non-destructive Mass Spectrometry Analysis of PVC surfaces
Researchers from the Heritage Science Laboratory Ljubljana and the Smithsonian Institution have developed a non-destructive method for characterising surface exudates on PVC objects using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The approach relies on simple dry swabbing, designed to be accessible to museums [...]
-
How to choose the optimal archival box for historic objects
This is the overarching question that HSLL researchers Jernej Markelj, Ida Kraševec and Matija Strlič, together with Josep Grau-Bove (Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London) and Evy Vereecken (KU Leuven and Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage), have investigated in [...]
-
What Acidic Compounds are Really Emitted by Historic PVC?
A new study by HSLL researchers, published in npj Heritage Science, sheds new light on the acidic emissions produced during the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a material widely found in heritage collections. In the paper titled “Poly(vinyl chloride) degradation: [...]
-
Emma Paolin Wins Best Oral Presentation Award at YISAC 2025
From June 30 to July 3, 2025, the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at the University of Ljubljana (UL FKKT) hosted the 30th edition of the international conference YISAC 2025 (Young Investigators' Seminar on Analytical Chemistry). The event was [...]
-
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Primorska Faculty of Humanities launches a pioneering course in Heritage Science.
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska (UP FHŠ), has recently introduced a new academic course titled "Heritage Science," reinforcing its commitment to interdisciplinary education in the study, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management [...]
International ARCHE Workshop on Cultural Heritage Policy and Management
On 3–4 June 2025, the University of Ljubljana hosted the international workshop “Connecting Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean: ARCHE in Collaboration with the SMACH Forum”, bringing together over 70 experts, policymakers, and professionals in cultural heritage. Co-organised by the EU-funded [...]
Active projects
We have led EU collaborative projects focussed on the development of non-destructive characterisation of cultural heritage (SurveNIR, PAPYLUM), and collaborated in projects on the development and evaluation of new conservation interventions (InkCor, Laclepa) and preventive conservation strategies (GreenArt, APACHE, PaperVOC). Recently, our work has focused on the development of heritage science infrastructure (E-RIHS IP, E-RIHS PP, Iperion HS) and new methods offered to users through the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, including its Slovenian node.
The research projects are underpinned by two block funding grants of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency: Research Programme N-DAD and Infrastructure Programme E-RIHS.SI.
AID HCH – Advancing Humanities and Cultural Heritage with Artificial Intelligence
Smell and Intangible Cultural Heritage
NextGenHS – Next generation analytical tools for heritage science
SloveNile – Slovenian-Egyptian Heritage Science Platform
Stucco Marble Altars in Slovenia: Materials, Conservation, and Meaning
SAFESILK – Metal salt-induced silk degradation in heritage collections
GREENART – Green Restoration
ARCHE – Alliance for Research on Cultural Heritage in Europe
Infrastructure Programme: Slovenian node of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science
N-DAD: Non-destructive Analysis and Diagnostics
Active projects
We have led EU collaborative projects focussed on the development of non-destructive characterisation of cultural heritage (SurveNIR, PAPYLUM), and collaborated in projects on the development and evaluation of new conservation interventions (InkCor, Laclepa) and preventive conservation strategies (GreenArt, APACHE, PaperVOC). Recently, our work has focused on the development of heritage science infrastructure (E-RIHS IP, E-RIHS PP, Iperion HS) and new methods to be be offered to users in the future European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, including its Slovenian node.
The research projects are underpinned by two stable funding grants: Research Programme N-DAD and Infrastructure Programme E-RIHS.SI.
AID HCH – Advancing Humanities and Cultural Heritage with Artificial Intelligence
Smell and Intangible Cultural Heritage
NextGenHS – Next generation analytical tools for heritage science
SloveNile – Slovenian-Egyptian Heritage Science Platform
Stucco Marble Altars in Slovenia: Materials, Conservation, and Meaning
SAFESILK – Metal salt-induced silk degradation in heritage collections
GREENART – Green Restoration
ARCHE – Alliance for Research on Cultural Heritage in Europe
Infrastructure Programme: Slovenian node of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science
N-DAD: Non-destructive Analysis and Diagnostics
