Heritage Science Spectral Sustainability and Innovative Dissemination

While spectral imaging has now been being utilized in cultural heritage for more than 20 years, there is still a lack of uptake by heritage practitioners. While some point to cost as an issue, it appears the real concern is that of communicating effectively with interested users – conservators, curators, scholars, heritage professionals. Many people are not aware of the range of types of information and data that can be captured and made available from collections, and the potential ease of interacting with the datasets. Since spectral imaging is essentially the next element of digitization and making heritage available in the digital realm, it seems necessary for more effort to be placed on shared knowledge of the spectral capture and processing methodology, so this becomes more accessible as a tool. Setting up a new spectral imaging system, communicating and creating networks for engagement, and addressing opportunities and challenges will be discussed.