The British Museum (BM) collection is unique in breadth, encompassing two million years of global human history. The application of science to the study and conservation of the collection is well-established; 2020 marks the centenary of the BM's first 'Research Laboratory'. Our commitment to scientific research excellence combines with a duty to publicly share the collection and the stories embodied by its objects. Our Scientific Research department develops and applies state-of-the-art investigative techniques to deliver this mission with research that reflects the collection's scope and, by training and collaboration, promotes the collection as a global resource for discovery. Our purpose-built laboratories house a wide range of specialist facilities. Molecular analysis using mass spectrometry is a key strength, and our facilities have developed into a hub that publishes ground-breaking research, attracts international researchers and PhD students, collaborates with other academic institutions, works in collaboration with regional museums and has undertaken commercial work in the heritage sector. Scientific equipment is crucial to this capability and currently comprises GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) configured for diverse sample types and LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) for analysing polar and larger molecules at high resolution. Experience has taught us that development and investment in our analytical infrastructure fuels and diversifies our research. The AHRC CapCo Fund offers a timely opportunity to address urgent replacement and upgrade for our core mass spectrometry equipment. Our oldest GC-MS has served for nearly 20 years and is now not supported by the manufacturer. We propose to replace and upgrade it with a GC-QTOF-MS which will reproduce the capability of the existing instrument and extend it by delivering high mass resolution and accurate mass data with the ability to perform structure elucidation and confirmation via MS/MS processes. Alongside we propose to upgrade our data management with a server-based system providing central storage for all data generated in the mass spectrometry facility, replacing standalone data storage with a system that will deliver greater security, inter-instrument connectivity and streamlined workflows while promoting collaborative working and enabling remote access to lab systems and data. Addition of these technologies to our instrument portfolio will consolidate our position as the leading museum-based mass spectrometry facility for heritage science in the UK. It will safeguard continuity for current research projects, including our AHRC CDP studentships, and create new opportunities for project development across the full range of the collection. This includes research on natural resins, waxes, paint media, food residues, petroleum products and modern synthetics. Archaeological projects in development include: study of bitumen from the Early Islamic port of Siraf (Iran) to examine the economics of these substances; studies of West African materials via the BM's emerging research partnership with Nigerian museums; study of resources and cultural influences based on ancient Egyptian and Nubian food residues from the BM's recent excavations in Sudan. We also plan new research on natural and synthetic polymers, examining both collection care perspectives and the cultural, economic and environmental implications of the rise of synthetic materials. Increasingly, as the BM embarks on a long-term programme of redisplay, our research is targeted at developing new narratives for display and exhibition. The upgraded analytical facilities will underpin projects aiming to deepen public understanding of some of the most prominent objects in the galleries. The project is fully deliverable within the required timescale. The equipment can be readily accommodated in existing lab spaces and technical support is extant and sustainable.

The Western European Acheulean Project (WEAP) aims to characterize the occupational pattern of western Europe during the Middle Pleistocene (MP) –700 to 300Ka–, through the study of Acheulean technology. Recent research has shown that the Atlantic seaboard is the most likely route for colonisation due to the more oceanic climate compared to eastern Europe and to the richer range of resources in coastal areas. Due to cyclical changes in climate with glaciations and interglacials, northern Europe was frequently depopulated and then recolonized through this period probably from source areas in southern France and Iberia. This route-way should therefore bear witness to the cultural links between north and south. From 1 million to 600,000 years ago there is evidence of brief pioneering events in north-west Europe with a small number of sites and small numbers of stone tool artefacts. After 600,000 year ago more sustained occupation is shown by the increase in sites and the much large stone tool assemblages. They also show technological innovation in the form handaxes and possibly in the use of fire, clothing and shelter, which led to the first sustained occupation of northern latitudes. Although there has been much research and new sites excavated over the last twenty years, there has been little integration between the work in Spain, Britain and France. Based on the applicant’s previous experience, WEAP proposes to create a common method of analysis for the study of six Middle Pleistocene sites from UK and France –in agreement with three Middle Pleistocene technologists–, the use of the experimental technology to complete the archaeological record, and the use of new methodological approaches, such as the 3D scanning technology as the most appropriated statistical analysis, to improve understanding of behavioural patterns in order to build models of human dispersals from south-west to north-west Europe.

This research project will focus on three Shi`i shrines in Iran at Ardabil, Mashhad and Qum during the period of Shah `Abbas I (r. 1587-1629) in preparation for an exhibition, its catalogue, and a scholarly conference in 2009. \n\nIn partnership with the National Museum of Iran, Tehran, the British Museum will prepare the exhibition and its catalogue. These will include a substantial number of objects borrowed from Iran and will rely in part on research done by scholars associated with the National Museum and the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organisation. \n\nA century after Shiism became the official religion of Iran, Shah `Abbas commissioned major restorations at the Ardabil and Mashhad shrines in the early 17th century. Also, he made a substantial charitable gift of manuscripts and porcelains to the Ardabil Shrine and Arabic manuscripts to the Mashhad Shrine. His jewels, jewelled weapons, and gold and silver items were also part of this benefaction. Because the collections of the three shrines are only partly published, the research will involve visiting Iran and studying the works from Ardabil in the National Museum in Tehran and from Mashhad and Qum in the shrines' museums. Some manuscripts from the Ardabil Shrine requiring research are in the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg. \n\nIn order to understand the intention of Shah `Abbas in renovating and endowing the shrines, the research team (primary investigator, co-investigator, and research assistant) will study historical texts, endowment documents and building inscriptions. These texts should help explain not only what Shah `Abbas did but also how his refurbishments and gifts were perceived by the users of the shrines. Work on the Qum shrine should determine to what extent Shah `Abbas I promoted the shrine as a pilgrimage destination and whether he ordered any renovations to its buildings. Some evidence suggests that the Shrine of Fatima Ma`suma at Qum attracted royal women's patronage; further research will elucidat the situation during the reign of Shah `Abbas I.\n\nSince Shah `Abbas's gifts to the shrines included imported items, such as Chinese porcelains, the question of value arises. Did Shah `Abbas give his most precious possessions to the shrines or were his gifts surplus to his needs? Although it may be difficult to tease the answers out of texts, study of manuscript illustrations and album paintings from the period of Shah `Abbas should provide information about the types of objects in use in the first half of the 17th century. A comparison of these items with those given to the shrines should suggest which shapes, motifs, and genres of objects were in fashion in the period of Shah `Abbas.\n\nBecause the Ottoman enemies of Iran controlled Mecca and Medina as well as the holiest Shi`i shrines in Iraq, Shah `Abbas promoted the shrines of Mashhad and Qum as alternative pilgrimage sites. The research project will explore the ways in which Shah `Abbas informed the faithful of the merit of visiting shrines within Iran. Moreover, the architectural changes that he ordered appear to have been motivated by the shah's desire to rationalise spaces for increasing numbers of pilgrims. The project will investigate how Shah `Abbas balanced piety with pragmatism in his gifts and renovations.\n\nThe themes that this project will explore have strong parallels with Shiism in today's world. Pilgrimage to the major Shi`i shrines in Iran and Iraq is still central to the belief system of the Shi`a faithful. Political realities such as the war in Iraq and, previously, the Iran-Iraq war have made it difficult for Iranians to travel to the major Iraqi shrines (Karbala, Najaf, Kazimayn) which has, in turn, heightened the importance of the shrines of Qum and Mashhad. It is hoped that that the elucidation of the historical context of Iran's largest Shi`i shrines will lead to a better understanding of Shiism in modern Iran.