"
Hidden Traces", an article by Sam Knight in the November 26, 2018 issue of The New Yorker describes new developments in the field of proteomics -- the study of the interaction of proteins in living things. When applied to the study of books and documents, it can provide clues about the health and eating and drug habits the author of those pages. However, its application can raise issues for the conservator as the proteins are found in the dirt and fluff on the surface of the pages. If a conservator removes cleans a page in order to prevent damage, is that conservator then destroying a potential source of historical evidence? #conservationinthenews