• Featured Project
    From Quarry to Sculpture: Understanding Provenance, Typologies, and Uses of Khmer Stones

    This project aims to analyze and document the petrographic characteristics of the stone used in Khmer sculpture in Cambodia. Once complete, this will help us better understand the spread of various types of stone during the pre-Angkor (ca. seventh to ninth century) and Angkor (ca. tenth to thirteenth century) periods of the Khmer empire. It will also give scholars a better understanding of the original contexts of objects that are now in Western collections, including the more than fifty such sculptures that are in the Met's collection.

    Learn more about this project.

Featured Projects 1
About the Department

The Department of Scientific Research is responsible for investigating the material aspects of works of art in the Museum’s collection. Scientists in the department cooperate with conservators and curators in studying, preserving, and conserving the works in the Museum's collection, and also pursue innovative research in analytical techniques, preventive conservation, and treatment methodologies.

A staff of ten scientists contributes to art historical studies, conservation research, and conservation treatments through the examination of works of art, the identification of their constituent materials and manufacturing techniques, the elucidation of aging and degradation mechanisms, and the monitoring of environmental conditions in display and storage areas of the Museum.

Learn more about us.

What's New

Current Research: Cambodia Stone Project

Federico Carò is currently continuing research for his project on Khmer sculpture. Read the related article in Now at the Met, or visit the Cambodia Stone Project blog to read updates from Federico.

Scientific Research Resources
CAMEO: Conservation & Art Material Encyclopedia Online
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Museum Hours
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
The Museum is closed on Mondays.

See Plan Your Visit for more information,
including directions.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers annual resident fellowships in conservation and in scientific research to postdoctoral researchers and to qualified graduate students at the predoctoral level.

Learn more about the Museum's fellowships in conservation and in scientific research.

Internship opportunities exist for college and graduate students interested in careers in art museums. Learn more about paid, upaid, full-, and part-time internships.