Pub Date : 2025-09-10DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.028
Sara Puente-Muñoz , Jennifer Huidobro , Iñaki Vázquez-de la Fuente , Idoia Etxebarria , Ilaria Costantini , Marco Veneranda , Nagore Prieto-Taboada , Oleksii Ilchenko , Giuseppe Di Girolami , Angela Di Lillo , Marina Caso , Rossella Di Lauro , Kepa Castro , Gorka Arana , Juan Manuel Madariaga
The Archaeological Park of Herculaneum, buried by the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius, faces a significant conservation challenge, the degradation of the volcanic tuff walls. Building upon previous studies, this work presents the first large-scale assessment of this degradation phenomenon, employing a comprehensive analytical approach that extends across the entire archaeological park. In detail, this study combines in-situ and laboratory analyses to investigate the origin and composition of the soluble salts that take part in this degradation process. Thermographic imaging identified moisture accumulation at the base of walls, confirming the capillary rise of humidity from the soil. Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that sodium sulfate, in both anhydrous (thenardite) and hydrated (mirabilite) forms, is the predominant salt, with additional contributions from calcium sulfate and minor nitrates. Ion chromatography of soil samples confirmed significant spatial and seasonal variations, with sulfates more concentrated in northern areas and increasing overall in winter. The results demonstrate that a combined approach using ion chromatography, thermographic imaging, and handheld Raman spectroscopy provides an efficient diagnostic tool for assessing salt-related deterioration. This protocol could be extended to other archaeological sites to guide conservation strategies and mitigate the impact of salt-induced decay on built heritage.
{"title":"A site-wide and comprehensive assessment of salt-induced tuff deterioration in the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum","authors":"Sara Puente-Muñoz , Jennifer Huidobro , Iñaki Vázquez-de la Fuente , Idoia Etxebarria , Ilaria Costantini , Marco Veneranda , Nagore Prieto-Taboada , Oleksii Ilchenko , Giuseppe Di Girolami , Angela Di Lillo , Marina Caso , Rossella Di Lauro , Kepa Castro , Gorka Arana , Juan Manuel Madariaga","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Archaeological Park of Herculaneum, buried by the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius, faces a significant conservation challenge, the degradation of the volcanic tuff walls. Building upon previous studies, this work presents the first large-scale assessment of this degradation phenomenon, employing a comprehensive analytical approach that extends across the entire archaeological park. In detail, this study combines in-situ and laboratory analyses to investigate the origin and composition of the soluble salts that take part in this degradation process. Thermographic imaging identified moisture accumulation at the base of walls, confirming the capillary rise of humidity from the soil. Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that sodium sulfate, in both anhydrous (thenardite) and hydrated (mirabilite) forms, is the predominant salt, with additional contributions from calcium sulfate and minor nitrates. Ion chromatography of soil samples confirmed significant spatial and seasonal variations, with sulfates more concentrated in northern areas and increasing overall in winter. The results demonstrate that a combined approach using ion chromatography, thermographic imaging, and handheld Raman spectroscopy provides an efficient diagnostic tool for assessing salt-related deterioration. This protocol could be extended to other archaeological sites to guide conservation strategies and mitigate the impact of salt-induced decay on built heritage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 11-20"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145047507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-08DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.003
Jennifer Huidobro , Marco Veneranda , Ilaria Costantini , Idoia Etxebarria , Iñaki Vázquez de la Fuente , Sara Puente-Muñoz , Nagore Prieto-Taboada , Giuseppe Di Girolami , Valeria Amoretti , Kepa Castro , Gorka Arana , Juan Manuel Madariaga
This work reports on a multidisciplinary study conducted by the IBeA Research Group on mural paintings from Pompeii (Casa dei Pittori al Lavoro, Insula dei Casti Amanti) as they were being retrieved from burial.
In detail, in-situ spectroscopic analysis (Raman, infrared and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies) were combined with thermographic imaging to evaluate the composition of the paintings and their alteration products. These results guided the collection of micrometric samples, which were subsequently analyzed in the laboratory using Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Ionic Chromatography techniques.
To assist conservators in the selection of the optimal preservation procedures, the analytical results obtained in this work proved that the investigated paintings are threatened by two main alteration pathways. The first alteration is related to the formation of saline efflorescence on the lower parts of the walls. This phenomenon may be due to the presence of a shallow water table in the vicinity of the house, but more studies should be conducted. Regarding the second alteration pathway, biological remains were detected on the wall paintings, which may be attributed to the presence of volcanic debris acting as a substrate for biological colonization. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
While providing the Archaeological Park of Pompeii with the analytical results needed to plan tailored conservation treatments, this work demonstrates that cultural heritage conservation can strongly benefit from the synergistic collaboration between restorers and conservation scientists.
这项工作报告了IBeA研究小组对庞贝壁画(Casa dei Pittori al Lavoro, Insula dei Casti Amanti)进行的多学科研究,因为它们被从埋葬中取回。详细地,将原位光谱分析(拉曼光谱、红外光谱和x射线荧光光谱)与热成像相结合,以评估绘画及其蚀变产物的成分。这些结果指导了微米样品的收集,随后在实验室中使用拉曼、傅里叶变换红外光谱和离子色谱技术进行分析。为了帮助保护人员选择最佳的保护程序,本工作获得的分析结果证明,所调查的绘画受到两种主要的改变途径的威胁。第一个变化与壁下部形成的含盐花期有关。这种现象可能是由于房屋附近的地下水位较浅,但需要进行更多的研究。对于第二种蚀变途径,在壁画上发现了生物遗骸,这可能是由于火山碎屑的存在作为生物定植的基质。然而,需要进一步的研究来证实这一假设。在为庞贝考古公园提供量身定制的保护措施所需的分析结果的同时,这项工作表明,文化遗产保护可以从修复者和保护科学家之间的协同合作中受益匪浅。
{"title":"New excavations at Pompeii: Analyzing the alteration risks of mural paintings recently retrieved from burial","authors":"Jennifer Huidobro , Marco Veneranda , Ilaria Costantini , Idoia Etxebarria , Iñaki Vázquez de la Fuente , Sara Puente-Muñoz , Nagore Prieto-Taboada , Giuseppe Di Girolami , Valeria Amoretti , Kepa Castro , Gorka Arana , Juan Manuel Madariaga","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work reports on a multidisciplinary study conducted by the IBeA Research Group on mural paintings from Pompeii (<em>Casa dei Pittori al Lavoro, Insula dei Casti Amanti</em>) as they were being retrieved from burial.</div><div>In detail, in-situ spectroscopic analysis (Raman, infrared and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies) were combined with thermographic imaging to evaluate the composition of the paintings and their alteration products. These results guided the collection of micrometric samples, which were subsequently analyzed in the laboratory using Raman, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Ionic Chromatography techniques.</div><div>To assist conservators in the selection of the optimal preservation procedures, the analytical results obtained in this work proved that the investigated paintings are threatened by two main alteration pathways. The first alteration is related to the formation of saline efflorescence on the lower parts of the walls. This phenomenon may be due to the presence of a shallow water table in the vicinity of the house, but more studies should be conducted. Regarding the second alteration pathway, biological remains were detected on the wall paintings, which may be attributed to the presence of volcanic debris acting as a substrate for biological colonization. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.</div><div>While providing the Archaeological Park of Pompeii with the analytical results needed to plan tailored conservation treatments, this work demonstrates that cultural heritage conservation can strongly benefit from the synergistic collaboration between restorers and conservation scientists.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145011008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/S1296-2074(25)00195-5
{"title":"ours Elsevier","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1296-2074(25)00195-5","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1296-2074(25)00195-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Page iii"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aims to investigate the possibility of protecting real street artworks in urban outdoor conditions. Specifically, this paper focuses on a testing experimental work carried out on the mural “Musica Popolare” (2016) in Milan by Orticanoodles and includes: i) the assessment of the state of conservation through in-situ and micro-invasive techniques; ii) the set-up of an in-situ testing protocol to assess the compatibility and efficacy of protective treatments; iii) the one-year monitoring testing campaign. This study investigates the deterioration processes of the paint and evaluates the protective performances of various commercial coatings, which were previously tested under laboratory conditions. Notably, the mural experiences three distinct exposure conditions (fully exposed, partially exposed, and sheltered) allowing for a comparative evaluation of their effects. The coatings performance was evaluated by using a testing protocol including: portable digital microscopy, VIS reflectance spectroscopy, glossmetry, and vertical water contact angle measurements. After one year of natural ageing, the monitoring results indicate that acrylic-based coatings offered only limited protective action of the painted surface, ensuring a moderate colour retention but an insufficient protection towards liquid water. In sheltered areas, the application of protective coatings had a negative effect, making the treated surfaces more unstable than the original paintings without significantly improving water repellency (WCAs). An increase of particulate matter (PM) adhesion to the surfaces was also observed. Contact angle measurements indicated that only the fluorinated coatings achieved and maintained good water repellency over the one-year period. However, none of the tested coatings provided satisfactory protection over the monitoring period, highlighting the need for more innovative and effective preservation strategies for these artworks.
{"title":"Preserving the contemporary mural “Musica Popolare” by Orticanoodles in Milan, Italy: Deterioration processes and protection performance of commercial coatings","authors":"Nicolò Guarnieri , Laura Pagnin , Letizia Berti , Sara Goidanich , Davide Gulotta , Francesca Caterina Izzo , Lucia Toniolo","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to investigate the possibility of protecting real street artworks in urban outdoor conditions. Specifically, this paper focuses on a testing experimental work carried out on the mural “Musica Popolare” (2016) in Milan by Orticanoodles and includes: <em>i</em>) the assessment of the state of conservation through in-situ and micro-invasive techniques; <em>ii</em>) the set-up of an in-situ testing protocol to assess the compatibility and efficacy of protective treatments; <em>iii</em>) the one-year monitoring testing campaign. This study investigates the deterioration processes of the paint and evaluates the protective performances of various commercial coatings, which were previously tested under laboratory conditions. Notably, the mural experiences three distinct exposure conditions (fully exposed, partially exposed, and sheltered) allowing for a comparative evaluation of their effects. The coatings performance was evaluated by using a testing protocol including: portable digital microscopy, VIS reflectance spectroscopy, glossmetry, and vertical water contact angle measurements. After one year of natural ageing, the monitoring results indicate that acrylic-based coatings offered only limited protective action of the painted surface, ensuring a moderate colour retention but an insufficient protection towards liquid water. In sheltered areas, the application of protective coatings had a negative effect, making the treated surfaces more unstable than the original paintings without significantly improving water repellency (WCAs). An increase of particulate matter (PM) adhesion to the surfaces was also observed. Contact angle measurements indicated that only the fluorinated coatings achieved and maintained good water repellency over the one-year period. However, none of the tested coatings provided satisfactory protection over the monitoring period, highlighting the need for more innovative and effective preservation strategies for these artworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 326-332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.026
Mila Crippa , Dominique Cardon , Diego Tamburini , Takumasa Kondo , Paula Nabais
Lac dye, the dyestuff derived from Kerria scale insects, has been valued for millennia by various civilizations, which have appreciated its deep red shades in textiles, paintings, and other cultural artefacts. The colour derived from lac dye is complex both in structure and history, and has been the topic of numerous discussions addressing its origin, history and multiple uses as a dyestuff, medicine or cosmetic. However, there is still a significant lack of cohesion between sources, and no publication to date has offered a comprehensive overview of lac dye. This review aims to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the biological sources from which lac dye derives; the historical importance in Asia and the Mediterranean area; and the variety of processing techniques according to technical written sources. Particular attention is given to the use of lac dye on textiles by comparing the existing dyeing manuals and identification in historical textiles by analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to diode array (DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors or surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The review also offers an updated overview on the taxonomy of Kerria lac insects, highlighting their geographical diversity and suggesting future perspective of research. The discussion provides new insights into the complexity of lac dye and its use in the dyeing traditions worldwide, by intersecting sources from history, science and art.
{"title":"Lac dye colours: A review of the origin, history and identification techniques in textiles","authors":"Mila Crippa , Dominique Cardon , Diego Tamburini , Takumasa Kondo , Paula Nabais","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.026","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lac dye, the dyestuff derived from <em>Kerria</em> scale insects, has been valued for millennia by various civilizations, which have appreciated its deep red shades in textiles, paintings, and other cultural artefacts. The colour derived from lac dye is complex both in structure and history, and has been the topic of numerous discussions addressing its origin, history and multiple uses as a dyestuff, medicine or cosmetic. However, there is still a significant lack of cohesion between sources, and no publication to date has offered a comprehensive overview of lac dye. This review aims to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the biological sources from which lac dye derives; the historical importance in Asia and the Mediterranean area; and the variety of processing techniques according to technical written sources. Particular attention is given to the use of lac dye on textiles by comparing the existing dyeing manuals and identification in historical textiles by analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to diode array (DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS) detectors or surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The review also offers an updated overview on the taxonomy of <em>Kerria</em> lac insects, highlighting their geographical diversity and suggesting future perspective of research. The discussion provides new insights into the complexity of lac dye and its use in the dyeing traditions worldwide, by intersecting sources from history, science and art.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 307-325"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-16DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.001
Yazhen Huang , Shuxuan Shi , Lifang Ji , Yingchun Fu , Shuya Wei
Architectural pasting ornament, as a quintessential traditional Chinese interior finishing technique utilizing paper and textile materials, was particularly prominent in imperial constructions during the Ming-Qing transitional period. The exquisitely preserved ornament papers were found in the Yanqu Building (1772 CE) within the Qianlong Garden complex of the Forbidden City. A multidisciplinary analytical approach incorporating ultra-depth 3D video microscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and thermally assisted hydrolysis-methylation pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (THM-Py-GC/MS) was systematically employed to investigate materials of the architectural ornament papers including the printed papers, pigments, and adhesives. The findings reveal that the multi-layer papers comprised mulberry bark papers and bamboo papers; pigment analysis identified copper resinate in passionflower floral scroll and coiled dragon motifs, lead white in swastika motifs, and muscovite as ground layer; adhesives characterization demonstrated the use of animal glue and pine resin in paint, with starch for paper laminations. The ornament papers had been renovated at least twice. Significantly, the first scientific identification of copper resinate - a translucent green glaze pigment - in the architectural decorations of the Forbidden City, provides new material evidence for understanding the technical evolution of Qing imperial decorative practices.
{"title":"Characterization of the imperial architectural ornament papers in the Yanqu Building, the Forbidden City","authors":"Yazhen Huang , Shuxuan Shi , Lifang Ji , Yingchun Fu , Shuya Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Architectural pasting ornament, as a quintessential traditional Chinese interior finishing technique utilizing paper and textile materials, was particularly prominent in imperial constructions during the Ming-Qing transitional period. The exquisitely preserved ornament papers were found in the Yanqu Building (1772 CE) within the Qianlong Garden complex of the Forbidden City. A multidisciplinary analytical approach incorporating ultra-depth 3D video microscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and thermally assisted hydrolysis-methylation pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (THM-Py-GC/MS) was systematically employed to investigate materials of the architectural ornament papers including the printed papers, pigments, and adhesives. The findings reveal that the multi-layer papers comprised mulberry bark papers and bamboo papers; pigment analysis identified copper resinate in passionflower floral scroll and coiled dragon motifs, lead white in swastika motifs, and muscovite as ground layer; adhesives characterization demonstrated the use of animal glue and pine resin in paint, with starch for paper laminations. The ornament papers had been renovated at least twice. Significantly, the first scientific identification of copper resinate - a translucent green glaze pigment - in the architectural decorations of the Forbidden City, provides new material evidence for understanding the technical evolution of Qing imperial decorative practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 298-306"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bronze pendants depicting anthropomorphic couples, dating back to the 8th century BC, were found in several protohistoric sites in Calabria. The historical and cultural context of the archaeological finds is linked to the Oenotrians, a population that settled in Southern Italy before Greek colonization. We present the results of the investigation on two bronze pendants dating back to the early Iron Age belonging to two different classes, namely “Type A” and “Type B”. By unveiling their manufacturing technology, we aim to inquire about the origins of these artifacts, their uses, and the relative historical period. To achieve our goals, we utilized two non-destructive techniques: X-ray microtomography (X-ray µCT) for 3D visualization of internal structures, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) for the chemical composition analysis of the bronze objects. Notable differences emerge between the two artifacts; “Type A” displays well-defined anatomical details that are absent in “Type B”. Furthermore, 3-D reconstructions reveal additional information on production techniques and alteration effects, such as fractures and voids. Evidence suggests that both pendants were cast in molds, but “Type A” underwent additional modeling, resulting in detailed anatomical features, a functional necklet hole, and added elements like knees and arms. In contrast, “Type B” displays smooth forms with minimal post-casting processing. SEM-EDX analysis revealed notable differences in composition: “Type A” contains a higher proportion of copper and lower tin content. In contrast, “Type B” has significantly more tin and less copper, with similar lead content.
{"title":"Traces of additive manufacturing in early iron age anthropomorphic pendants","authors":"Andrea Smeriglio , Raffaele Filosa , Riccardo Cristoforo Barberi , Armando Taliano Grasso , Federica Caputo , Raffaele Giuseppe Agostino , Vincenzo Formoso","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bronze pendants depicting anthropomorphic couples, dating back to the 8th century BC, were found in several protohistoric sites in Calabria. The historical and cultural context of the archaeological finds is linked to the Oenotrians, a population that settled in Southern Italy before Greek colonization. We present the results of the investigation on two bronze pendants dating back to the early Iron Age belonging to two different classes, namely “Type A” and “Type B”. By unveiling their manufacturing technology, we aim to inquire about the origins of these artifacts, their uses, and the relative historical period. To achieve our goals, we utilized two non-destructive techniques: X-ray microtomography (X-ray µCT) for 3D visualization of internal structures, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) for the chemical composition analysis of the bronze objects. Notable differences emerge between the two artifacts; “Type A” displays well-defined anatomical details that are absent in “Type B”. Furthermore, 3-D reconstructions reveal additional information on production techniques and alteration effects, such as fractures and voids. Evidence suggests that both pendants were cast in molds, but “Type A” underwent additional modeling, resulting in detailed anatomical features, a functional necklet hole, and added elements like knees and arms. In contrast, “Type B” displays smooth forms with minimal post-casting processing. SEM-EDX analysis revealed notable differences in composition: “Type A” contains a higher proportion of copper and lower tin content. In contrast, “Type B” has significantly more tin and less copper, with similar lead content.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 291-297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Detecting cave paintings, protected but hidden beneath calcite layers, is an important step in completing the inventory of prehistoric art, yet it poses significant challenges. The mechanical removal of calcite is often invasive; image enhancement is often of limited effectiveness. This study investigates two non-invasive, complementary approaches to detect these hidden paintings: magnetic susceptibility and visible-to-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (400 to 2500 nm).
Reflectance measurements give detailed insights into pigment composition, while magnetic susceptibility measures the magnetic properties of materials and is particularly effective in detecting iron-based pigments such as hematite and goethite. The two methods were first tested in the laboratory on a limestone slab painted with various pigments and covered with calcite speleothem masks of varying thickness. This setup was a proxy for prehistoric cave paintings covered by opaque calcite speleothems. Both reflectance spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility were used to assess pigment detectability. Results showed that magnetic susceptibility could detect iron-based pigments beneath thin calcite layers (up to 7 mm in laboratory conditions), while reflectance spectroscopy analysis identified the spectral differences between all the materials tested, although the signal decreased with speleothem thickness.
These findings were then validated in field tests at the Grande Grotte (Arcy-sur-Cure, France) where three prehistoric red ochre paintings covered by calcite were analysed. Both techniques were suitable for non-invasive detection: magnetic susceptibility was more effective for iron-based pigments, while reflectance spectroscopy provided broader mineralogical information.
While these methods are not yet fully operational for field use, this preliminary study shows that it should be possible to use both magnetic susceptibility and reflectance spectroscopy probes to detect and delineate paintings hidden (and protected) beneath opaque calcite layers.
{"title":"Detecting pigments of cave paintings hidden beneath calcite layers: The potential of magnetic susceptibility and visible-to-infrared (400-2500 nm) reflectance spectroscopy","authors":"Morgane Jal , Christophe Durlet , Fabrice Monna , Chloé Morales , Franck Smektala , Carmela Chateau-Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Detecting cave paintings, protected but hidden beneath calcite layers, is an important step in completing the inventory of prehistoric art, yet it poses significant challenges. The mechanical removal of calcite is often invasive; image enhancement is often of limited effectiveness. This study investigates two non-invasive, complementary approaches to detect these hidden paintings: magnetic susceptibility and visible-to-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (400 to 2500 nm).</div><div>Reflectance measurements give detailed insights into pigment composition, while magnetic susceptibility measures the magnetic properties of materials and is particularly effective in detecting iron-based pigments such as hematite and goethite. The two methods were first tested in the laboratory on a limestone slab painted with various pigments and covered with calcite speleothem masks of varying thickness. This setup was a proxy for prehistoric cave paintings covered by opaque calcite speleothems. Both reflectance spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility were used to assess pigment detectability. Results showed that magnetic susceptibility could detect iron-based pigments beneath thin calcite layers (up to 7 mm in laboratory conditions), while reflectance spectroscopy analysis identified the spectral differences between all the materials tested, although the signal decreased with speleothem thickness.</div><div>These findings were then validated in field tests at the Grande Grotte (Arcy-sur-Cure, France) where three prehistoric red ochre paintings covered by calcite were analysed. Both techniques were suitable for non-invasive detection: magnetic susceptibility was more effective for iron-based pigments, while reflectance spectroscopy provided broader mineralogical information.</div><div>While these methods are not yet fully operational for field use, this preliminary study shows that it should be possible to use both magnetic susceptibility and reflectance spectroscopy probes to detect and delineate paintings hidden (and protected) beneath opaque calcite layers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 279-290"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.023
Maria Letizia Amadori , Gianluca Poldi , Parviz Holakooei , Fabiano Ferrucci , Giuseppe Cruciani , Alessia Andreotti , Mara Camaiti , Valeria Mengacci
During the recent restoration of the Bargello courtyard and façades (13th-14th century), initiated in 2020, traces of painted polychrome decoration were identified on Pietraforte intrados and extrados of the mullioned windows. On the stone intrados, blackish lozenge-shaped impressions –likely remnants of a metallic leaf– were against a pale blue background. To investigate the original materials and painting technique, a combination of non-invasive in situ methods (digital microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and reflectance spectrometry) and micro-invasive analyses (optical microscope, micro-Raman, SEM-EDS, XRD, FT-IR, GC–MS, PY-GC–MS) was applied. The integrated analyses of the blue decorations revealed the presence of azurite, pseudoboleite and rare particles of lead white, along with Cu-oxalates and Ca-oxalates. The occurrence of pseudoboleite, a rare greenish mineral, suggests it formed as a result of alteration processes involving azurite and lead white, potentially triggered by chlorine-based cleaning treatments. Rare Hg-S-based particles, likely associated with vermilion, were identified in the extrados. Additionally, trace amounts of egg and a non-drying fat were detected.
{"title":"Pseudoboleite as an alteration product of azurite in the painted stone of the mullioned windows of the Bargello Palace (Florence)","authors":"Maria Letizia Amadori , Gianluca Poldi , Parviz Holakooei , Fabiano Ferrucci , Giuseppe Cruciani , Alessia Andreotti , Mara Camaiti , Valeria Mengacci","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During the recent restoration of the Bargello courtyard and façades (13th-14th century), initiated in 2020, traces of painted polychrome decoration were identified on Pietraforte intrados and extrados of the mullioned windows. On the stone intrados, blackish lozenge-shaped impressions –likely remnants of a metallic leaf– were against a pale blue background. To investigate the original materials and painting technique, a combination of non-invasive in situ methods (digital microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and reflectance spectrometry) and micro-invasive analyses (optical microscope, micro-Raman, SEM-EDS, XRD, FT-IR, GC–MS, PY-GC–MS) was applied. The integrated analyses of the blue decorations revealed the presence of azurite, pseudoboleite and rare particles of lead white, along with Cu-oxalates and Ca-oxalates. The occurrence of pseudoboleite, a rare greenish mineral, suggests it formed as a result of alteration processes involving azurite and lead white, potentially triggered by chlorine-based cleaning treatments. Rare Hg-S-based particles, likely associated with vermilion, were identified in the extrados. Additionally, trace amounts of egg and a non-drying fat were detected.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 267-278"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.022
Artem Reshetnikov , Maria-Cristina Marinescu , Joaquim More Lopez , Sergio Mendoza , Nuno Freire , Monica Marrero , Eleftheria Tsoupra , Antoine Isaac
Annotation of cultural heritage artefacts allows finding and exploration of items relevant to user needs, supports functionality such as question answering or scene understanding, and in general facilitates the exposure of the society to our history and heritage. But most artefacts lack a description of their visual content due to the assumption that one sees the object; this often means that the annotations effort focuses on the historical and artistic context, information about the painter, or details about the execution and medium.
Without a significant body of visual content annotation, machines cannot integrate all this data to allow further analysis, query and inference, and cultural institutions cannot offer advanced functionality to their users and visitors. Given how time-consuming manual annotation is, and to enable the development of new technology and applications for cultural heritage, we have provided through DEArt the most extensive art dataset for object detection and pose classification to date. The current paper extends this work in several ways: (1) we introduce an approach for generating refined object and relationship labels without the need for manual annotations, (2) we compare the performance of our models with the most relevant state-of-the-art in both computer vision and cultural heritage, (3) we evaluate the annotations generated by our object detection model from a user viewpoint, for both correctness and relevance, and (4) we briefly discuss the fairness of our dataset.
{"title":"DEArt: Building and evaluating a dataset for object detection and pose classification for European art","authors":"Artem Reshetnikov , Maria-Cristina Marinescu , Joaquim More Lopez , Sergio Mendoza , Nuno Freire , Monica Marrero , Eleftheria Tsoupra , Antoine Isaac","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Annotation of cultural heritage artefacts allows finding and exploration of items relevant to user needs, supports functionality such as question answering or scene understanding, and in general facilitates the exposure of the society to our history and heritage. But most artefacts lack a description of their visual content due to the assumption that one sees the object; this often means that the annotations effort focuses on the historical and artistic context, information about the painter, or details about the execution and medium.</div><div>Without a significant body of visual content annotation, machines cannot integrate all this data to allow further analysis, query and inference, and cultural institutions cannot offer advanced functionality to their users and visitors. Given how time-consuming manual annotation is, and to enable the development of new technology and applications for cultural heritage, we have provided through DEArt the most extensive art dataset for object detection and pose classification to date. The current paper extends this work in several ways: (1) we introduce an approach for generating refined object and relationship labels without the need for manual annotations, (2) we compare the performance of our models with the most relevant state-of-the-art in both computer vision and cultural heritage, (3) we evaluate the annotations generated by our object detection model from a user viewpoint, for both correctness and relevance, and (4) we briefly discuss the fairness of our dataset.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 258-266"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}