Heritage Samples Archives Initiative

Many cultural heritage institutions around the world, including ICCROM, hold material samples archives comprising samples collected from heritage objects and sites, reference materials and replicas. These historic resources are non-renewable and have huge potential for future research and didactic purposes, but they are often little known, and their value under recognized. In addition, they pose very particular challenges concerning their physical safeguarding, access and use. As a result, they are critically threatened.

Recognizing these challenges, the Heritage Samples Archives Initiative (HSAI) was launched by ICCROM in September 2020 to promote the long-term survival and use of these collections. To date, more than 20 institutions have joined ICCROM as partners in the initiative.

Learn more here.