In October 2004, the Internal Council of Museums accepted a new UNESCO charter for the preservation of intangible cultural property, defined as performance-based arts and technologies. The archaeological science and conservation science communities are concerned that traditional crafts of cultural significance be encouraged and recognised, especially with regard to the technological skills and knowledge. Reverse-engineering past craft technologies involves using the basics of materials science and engineering to a new end: their preservation and continuation. Examples are presented of the glazed tile technologies of Samarkand, Bukhara and other Silk Route cities of Uzbekistan that date from the thirteenth century AD, but that continue to the present. The UNESCO charter for the preservation of Intangible Cultural Properties has enlightened the goals and results of the research and has linked together archaeological materials research and conservation science in an exciting new partnership. -- ICCROM