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(*) Summary. We will discuss a non-invasive physical approach for studying cultural heritage used in the Archeometry Laboratory in Havana, Cuba. Our objective is to take advantage of this experience to review different physical techniques applied to the study of objects as diverse as manuscripts, canvas and mural paintings, metallic objects, archeological porcelain artifacts, and even works of art carved in precious stones. In these studies the main instrument is a portable system developed in our Laboratory: an XRF-XRD- Radiography that allows both a non-invasive methodology, as well as being in-situ. Finally, a brief survey will be presented of these portable X-ray instruments, but paying special attention to the current work now going on at the MLab as part of the EXACTS project. We will summarize the first results that have been obtained.

(**) Biodata. Prof. Ariadna Mendoza Cuevas is graduated on Nuclear Physics. She began her professional work at the National Center of Scientific Research in Havana, where she became a specialist in X-ray fluorescence. She has had experience in methodology of quantitative analysis of pollution indicators. She obtained a Master of Science degree in 1998 in experimental nuclear physics. Her Ph.D. thesis surveyed ten years of experience in Archaeometry. In 1999, she presented a project for the development of a portable X-ray fluorescence system at Havana Historian's Office. Her experience at that time benefitted from her position as an IAEA consultant at the X-ray fluorescence group at the Seibersdorf's Laboratories, Austria in 2000 and 2002. The exciting field of non-invasive physical technology and methodology for archaeometry motivated her for the creation of an Archaeometry laboratory at Colegio Universitario San Geronimo in Havana, where she is Professor and Head of mentioned Laboratory. In this context, she applied several nuclear and related physical methods mainly: X-ray fluorescence, micro-X-ray fluorescence, X –ray diffraction, Proton-induced X-ray emission (at Louvre’s Laboratory), Scanning Electron microscopy, Infrared and Ultraviolet spectroscopy and develop methodology for the study of several kinds of cultural objects as wall and easel paintings, ceramics, porcelains, manuscripts, bronzes, daguerreotypes, sculptures on minerals and polychromes. She is the author of 36 related publications and participated in national and international conferences and scientific collaborations on this field in Cuba, Italy, Austria, Belgium, France and Mexico. Recently, she has completed the development of instrumentation, including new portable and compact X-ray system for X-ray fluorescence, an X-ray diffraction, and radiography analysis of art and archaeological objects in Havana's museums. She is a regular associate at ICTP and participates in the M- Lab's project for the development of portable system for the study of cultural heritage. study of cultural heritage.