The first edition of this book was welcomed not only by the conservation profession but also by those working in archaeology and museums who need to know from what materials objects are made, the compounds that are associated with them or the characteristics of the materials used to package or store them. This second edition (reprint) includes modifications to several of the procedures described - tests for metals, inorganic compounds, organic and synthetic materials as well as several tests that help to characterize materials. The tests are applicable to a wide range of object classes including metal, textile, leather, paper, plastics and architectural materials. In addition to presenting the detailed methodology for carrying out each test, the authors have evaluated the effectiveness of each test in order to assist the reader in selecting the most applicable test and interpreting the results.