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This thesis critically examines the complex interrelationship of heritage and photography, focusing in particular on the photographic life of two heritage sites: Angkor in Cambodia and the town of Famagusta, Cyprus. The core line of enquiry guiding this research concerns the various processes through which photography might be said to ‘shape’ heritage (and vice-versa). To this end I begin by outlining a theoretical framework that addresses the idea of ‘shaping’ from three often-contradictory perspectives: social constructionism, affect, and Massumi’s notion of topological transformation. From this analytical foundation a critical review of the historical intersections of heritage and photography is undertaken. Based on previous scholarship in the field and a critique of select publications, exhibitions and archival productions, this general background research is navigated via six core themes: trace, memory, universality, series, cliché and authenticity. Drawing together heritage and photography in thought provoking ways, these themes also resonate across the subsequent case studies, where the work of John Thomson - who documented both Angkor and Famagusta in the nineteenth century - acts as a point of departure. Following a broadly chronological approach, I go on to discuss the role of photography in colonial and postcolonial heritage constructions, disparate articulations of memory that emerge in the deployment of photography at both locations, and, finally, the affective experience of photography at the sites today. Crucially, throughout this multi-sited archival and ethnographic research photography is understood not simply as a representational form, but as an embodied practice (act), material presence (object), and discursive apparatus (medium). This conceptual and methodological approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the interconnections between heritage and photography to emerge, taking us beyond issues of representation and towards a recognition of the central role photography has in (re)configuring the values, practices, affective qualities and ethics of heritage writ large.

Sex estimation is a fundamental component of demographic information for skeletal collections. When collections are undocumented, it is important to have established and accurate methods to determine sex. Many methods have been used since the 1800s. These methods, both morphological and metric, primarily focus on estimating sex on the pelvis, cranium, mandible, humerus and femur. The aim of this research is to establish which types of methods and which major bones are the most accurate for identifying sex in skeletons, especially when the pelvis is in poor condition or missing. A total of 67 morphological and metric methods were assessed on 294 adults from four diverse known sex samples. The study included assessment of 23 methods on 120 juveniles from two of the samples. The results indicate that while morphological methods are a reliable tool to sex adult skeletons, there are metric methods that are equally reliable, especially in the absence of the pelvis. Initial research in sex estimation of juveniles yielded several methods which scored over 75% accuracy when the samples were broken down into five distinct age groups. The study also demonstrated other possible uses for sex estimation, such as measuring variability in bones through hyper-sex codes (-2, +2) used in morphological methods, exploration of gender identification presented in two case studies, and exploring the effect of skeletal adaptation from occupation on sexual dimorphism in two African-American samples who share a common history but lived in different geographical locations.

Iron and steel making are among the most important industries of mankind. Among these, crucible steel technology that revolutionised modern industry has its roots in medieval Persia and the Indian subcontinent. Crucible steel was always obscured with myths and fictions within Western society due to its exotic origin. Historical accounts testify that the workshops were not accessible to the public mostly because the main purpose of the crucible steel production were linked to the military and supply of arms and armour; this further limited our knowledge of it production methods. Modern studies on crucible steel making are limited to few archaeological sites in Central Asia, India and Sri Lanka, while several historical manuscripts relate this industry to production centres in modern day Iran. Inspired by the historical manuscripts’ recurrent mention of a production site in Persia, the writer of this thesis first undertook a field survey and located the archaeological site of Chāhak in south Iran. The thesis is based on multidisciplinary approaches, combining history and archaeometry for a text aided archaeological investigation of pūlād production at Seljūq-period Chāhak. Accordingly, the historical recipes are studied, compared and technically translated alongside the morphological and chemical analyses of the archaeological samples to reconstruct the technology within its geographic, cultural and political context. The chemical analyses provide a clear picture of the crucible steel industry of Chāhak including some unique features, which characterize this particular tradition. The thesis provides a detailed picture of the Chāhak tradition of crucible steel production, and the skills and knowledge of the craftsmen in using specific methods and substances to create Chāhakī pūlād, which for centuries was widely known for the swords (known as Chāhakī swords) made from it. This thesis broadens our understanding of Persian pūlād technology by defining a different tradition within Persian pūlād technology, and provides the basis for future artefacts analyses to identify products of the Chāhakī pūlād making tradition.

The importance of conserving species of bats native to the British Isles is widely accepted, but for some churches the presence of large numbers of bats has resulted in the deterioration of culturally significant items such as historic monuments, wall paintings, organs, memorial brasses, pews, lecterns, rood screens and fonts. Although we should hope to ensure a sustainable future for both our cultural and natural heritage, it seems that in the case of bats and churches, success in one area sometimes comes at a cost to the other. This research focuses on problems created when large numbers of bats make use of historic churches, and presents an objective view of past, present and future initiatives related to “bats in churches”. The research is presented and discussed in relation to a broad range of factors, and with reference to the wide range of stakeholders concerned. Damage mechanisms involved when excreta from insectivorous bats come into contact with a range of materials found within historic church interiors are examined, and answers provided to the most fundamental questions relating to their deterioration. Deterioration mechanisms and pathways are identified, and supporting evidence from experimental work and scientific analysis is provided. In addition to a greater understanding of deterioration mechanisms, work relating to the urine chemistry of UK bats provides valuable new information regarding composition, pH and urine concentration. Currently recommended mitigation practices are discussed and found to be inadequate for use in churches with significant numbers of bats, while proposed future initiatives show more promise.