The material dimension of history is a focus of several IHIST projects that explore monuments and other man-made objects. These artefacts are examined with regard to their historical and social contexts as well as their material quality. Spatial and sensory aspects are also of key relevance when investigating cultural transfers, innovations and reinterpretations. The relocation and display of objects in archives, museums and other media also belong to this field of research, as does their (re)appraisal as ‘cultural heritage’. (* individual PhD project)