microscope in order to better visualize different phases, materials, and compounds present to identify composition Can help to determine paint composition (specific type of paint used) in art works and compounds that may aid in provenance queries Allows scientists to analyze whether the object's appearance merits preservation or if there are products of deterioration and decay that ought to be removed or cleaned prior to preservation Destructive/invasive method - requires obtaining a sample from an object or artwork and exposing it to X-Ray radiation X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) Can identify elements both on the surface and sub-surface by performing x-ray scans over the entirety of an artwork Non-destructive/non-invasive method - scans of the object's surface do not require sampling or removal of material Computerized Tomography Scanning (CT Scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Non-destructive way to image larger objects Can reveal sub-surface structure as well as some composition information Particularly useful for imaging artifacts such as mummified remains to aid in identification and understanding of burial practices When combined with "computational surface flattening" CT can be used to analyze and read rolled, folded or sealed documents without disturbing the artifacts' condition. Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) Method of surface imaging whereby the location of the light source can be changed to image so an object or artwork is illuminated from a variety of directions Non-invasive method that yields surface topography and texture to analyze surface features Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Method for identifying materials in works of art based on the fact that each compound or element has a specific combination of atoms, each of which will have a unique peak in the resultant spectra Non-invasive and non-destructive method for chemical analysis that requires very small quantities of sample from inconspicuous locations on artworks and objects Most common IR technique used to obtain spectral information through the constructive and destructive interference of electromagnetic waves using an interferometer Known for their excellent speed, sensitivity, and resolution, better light-gathering power than dispersive instruments, and wavelength precision and accuracy The type of material present will be the deciding factor in what method will be appropriate for study. For example, organic materials are likely to be destroyed if exposed to too much radiation, a concern when doing X-ray and electron-based imaging. Conservation scientists may specialize with specific materials and work closely with conservators and curators in order to determine appropriate analysis and treatment methods.