Join us for a fascinating talk as part of Talking Science, a series of free talks for the public – breaking down the barriers to science.

Date: Friday 6 March 2026

Time: 19:00 – 20:00

Venue: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Fermi Avenue

Cost: Free

What’s inside a centuries-old jar that’s never been opened? What words hide inside a locked letter that’s lain unread for hundreds of years?

In this talk, we’ll explore how scientists are using light instead of scissors or scalpels to solve these mysteries. With techniques like Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS), we can peer through class and paper to uncover hidden stories without breaking a single seal.

It’s heritage science as detective work, revealing the past while protecting it for the future.

Tickets for in-person events close the night before the event. If you would like to book an in-person last-minute place, please email the team.

About the speaker:

Dr Sara Mosca – Central Laser Facility, STFC