Good fieldwork is as much behavior as it is technique. Here’s a quick framework that keeps you welcome—and effective. PERMISSION IS A PROCESS Identify owner/caretaker, request scope (cleaning vs. documentation), and clarify exclusions (unstable monuments, repairs). Keep a copy of approval with you; it de‑escalates 99% of on‑site questions. RISK TRIAGE CULTURAL LITERACY Different communities […]

A toolkit is a hypothesis about how to solve recurring problems. Mine is tuned for mineral substrates, biofilms, and reversible interventions. Here’s the gear—and the science—that earns a spot in my bag. BRUSH SCIENCE: CONTACT PRESSURE & BRISTLE GEOMETRY Soft, flagged bristles increase surface area and lower contact pressure per filament. Translation: you dislodge soils

Every common mistake has a physical or chemical reason behind it. Let’s decode the “why,” so you can spot trouble before it starts. 10) SKIPPING PERMISSION Legal and ethical risk aside, caretakers often know which stones are fragile or slated for professional repair. Permission = information. 9) NO BASELINE DOCUMENTATION Without before‑photos, you can’t verify