Restoring our Icons: Presented by Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown, Lovell Chen Architect and Heritage Consultants
Tuesday 18 May

Architecture and heritage consultants Peter Lovell and Fraser Brown have been important contributors to the conservation and restoration work of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens over the past four decades that culminated in its 2004 inscription on the World Heritage List. Most recently, an archaeological investigation of the site was undertaken to search for traces of historic garden beds and other features that might provide a basis for the German Garden's reconstruction, which will be undertaken according to the original 19th century design.

Using new technology to unlock ancient Egyptian secrets: Presented by Dr Mark Ecclestone
Wednesday 19 May

This talk will reveal Dr Eccleston's recent research applying experimental archaeology and synchrotron science to the use of metals in a variety of industries in New Kingdom Egypt (ca 1500 - 1100 BC). The work was undertaken in Egypt, Australia and Hamburg and the results have greatly increased archaeologists' understanding of faience - a decorative process applied to ceramic items ranging from pottery to funery objects – and links between the faience industry and state-controlled copper mining enterprises.

Dr Mark Eccleston has been a Research Fellow in the Archaeology Program at La Trobe University since 2007. Prior to that he was the Teaching Fellow in Archaeological Materials at the University of Sheffield in the UK from 2003 - 2006. He has a background in Archaeology, Egyptology and Materials Science and has undertaken archaeological fieldwork in Australia, UK, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus.

Conservation of artefacts from the RMS Titanic: a herculean challenge and a rare privilege: Presented by Dr Ian MacLeod
Thursday 20 May

This lecture will look at objects recovered from the debris field of the Titanic and what scientists have learned about the unusual processes of corrosion and decay that take place in the dark, icy waters almost four kilometres from the surface. Scientists can now explain the impacts of pressure on the chemistry of calcium minerals and the absence of human remains from the wreck site, as well as new methods developed to treat delicate newspapers and leather items recovered from the ocean floor.

Dr Ian McLeod is a corrosion chemist and materials conservator who has worked for the Western Australian Museum for the past 30 years. His interest lies in shipwrecks and the methods used to conserve them.