Discover the secrets of museum scents

The three-year "Heritage Smells" project aims to construct a portable device that will collect air samples near sculptures, tapestries, and books. The collected data could help determine whether the air surrounding the objects contains anything that could help understand their composition and condition. How to discover and describe the scent of national heritage? The project began in 2011. Experts from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow want to use a portable device to gather information about the state of museum collections, as well as artifacts found during excavations. Most museums do not have their own laboratories. The mobile device will help them safely store, display, and preserve their collections. Furthermore, archives, museums, and individual collectors will be able to conduct their own analyses, all without touching the exhibits. What does the musty smell of the library tell us? Lorraine Gibson, the project's director, cites the example of a library with a distinctive, musty odor. Scientists want to understand what constitutes this aroma and what it might reveal about the objects stored within. The goal is to gather data, correctly interpret the odors, and associate the odor components with the objects. Who got involved in the project? The initiative was supported by the British Museum, the British Library, University College London and Owlstone – a British company focused on the chemical detection of various chemical substances.