Laboratorio de Análisis y Diagnóstico del Patrimonio (Laboratory for the Analysis and Diagnosis of Heritage) (Ladipa): a perspective eight years after its gestation

Abstract

The Laboratorio de Análisis y Diagnóstico del Patrimonio (Laboratory for the Analysis and Diagnosis of Heritage, Lapida) at El Colegio de Michoacán (the Michoacan College , Colmich) came in to being due to the need to responsabily intervene in the management of Mexico’s cultural and natural heritage. At the beginning, the laboratory planned to focus on archaeometry analysis in order to characterize archaeological materials; yet, from 2009 onwards, its current structure has been formalized through the acquisition of sophisticated scientific & technological equipment, which nowadays positions Ladipa as a research infraestructure without precedent in Mexico since it is exclusively engaged in the study and conservation of Mexican national patrimony. Ladipa has also highly-qualified personnel who carries out research, is involved in training, and provides scientific and technological services; a multidisciplinary team with professionals from diverse academic fields, such as history, restoration, biology, chemistry and agronomy. Furthermore, Ladipa´s strategic alliances with the academic, social, government and business sectors foster an adequate social dissemination of knowledge.