Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.004
Michela Botticelli , Rosario Andolina , Marco Cardinali , Angela Cerasuolo , Santo Gammino , Costanza Miliani , Zdenek Preisler , Eva Luna Ravan , Gianluca Santagati , Francesco Paolo Romano , Andrea Zezza , Claudia Caliri
Raphael’s paintings in the Capodimonte collection, ‘Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte’ in Naples, offer the opportunity to describe the master’s great career and technical evolution from the earliest production, as in the Baronci Panel, to the mature collaboration with his pupil and successor Giulio Romano for the Madonna of the Cat. At the same time, coeval and later copies describe the impressive favour Raphael gained, yet when he was alive and in the following centuries. Studying the materiality of Raphael’s paintings in the Capodimonte collection brings more extensive knowledge on his technique, but also gives a sense of how his pupils and followers imitated or distanced themselves from him, participating to the discussion on the role of copies in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. MA-XRF scanning of Raphael’s works in the collection, and the analysis of artworks attributed to his workshop or identified as later copies assisted in the redefinition of the master’s material peculiarities. Beyond offering insights into the conservation history of the paintings, chemical data chiefly allowed the description of: (1) the master’s early technique in the Baronci panel, (2) the master’s practice, his material experimentation and conceptual setting up in works attributed to his workshop.
那不勒斯卡波迪蒙特博物馆（Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte）收藏的拉斐尔画作，提供了一个机会来描述这位大师的伟大职业生涯和技术发展，从最早的作品，如男爵画板，到与他的学生和继任者朱利奥·罗马诺（Giulio Romano）合作完成《猫的圣母》。与此同时，同时代和后来的复制品描述了拉斐尔获得的令人印象深刻的青睐，然而，当他活着的时候，在接下来的几个世纪里。研究拉斐尔在卡波迪蒙特收藏的画作的重要性，可以让我们对他的技术有更广泛的了解，但也让我们了解到他的学生和追随者是如何模仿他或与他保持距离的，他们参与了15世纪和16世纪关于复制品作用的讨论。对收藏中的拉斐尔作品进行MA-XRF扫描，并对归因于他的工作室或确定为后来复制品的艺术品进行分析，有助于重新定义大师的材料特性。除了提供对绘画保存历史的见解之外，化学数据主要允许描述：(1)大师在男爵面板中的早期技术，(2)大师的实践，他的材料实验和概念设置，这些作品归功于他的工作室。
{"title":"Raphael seen through MA-XRF: understanding the master and his atelier by studying the Capodimonte collection","authors":"Michela Botticelli , Rosario Andolina , Marco Cardinali , Angela Cerasuolo , Santo Gammino , Costanza Miliani , Zdenek Preisler , Eva Luna Ravan , Gianluca Santagati , Francesco Paolo Romano , Andrea Zezza , Claudia Caliri","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Raphael’s paintings in the Capodimonte collection, ‘Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte’ in Naples, offer the opportunity to describe the master’s great career and technical evolution from the earliest production, as in the <em>Baronci Panel</em>, to the mature collaboration with his pupil and successor Giulio Romano for the <em>Madonna of the Cat</em>. At the same time, coeval and later copies describe the impressive favour Raphael gained, yet when he was alive and in the following centuries. Studying the materiality of Raphael’s paintings in the Capodimonte collection brings more extensive knowledge on his technique, but also gives a sense of how his pupils and followers imitated or distanced themselves from him, participating to the discussion on the role of copies in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. MA-XRF scanning of Raphael’s works in the collection, and the analysis of artworks attributed to his workshop or identified as later copies assisted in the redefinition of the master’s material peculiarities. Beyond offering insights into the conservation history of the paintings, chemical data chiefly allowed the description of: (1) the master’s early technique in the <em>Baronci panel</em>, (2) the master’s practice, his material experimentation and conceptual setting up in works attributed to his workshop.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 156-167"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691026","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.006
Mona Konietzny, Alina Klitzke, Ursula Haller
Since its introduction in the early 1970s, BEVA® 371 has become the most common conservation heat-seal adhesive. It is established across various fields and widely used as a lining adhesive for canvas paintings. Its key advantages include flexibility, reversibility, and compatibility with different materials. However, changes in formulation due to unavailable components have led to altered properties, like a rise in its activation temperature, which is crucial for an artwork's safety. Moreover, a new product has just been released. This comprehensive review uniquely synthesizes decades of research, manufacturer information, and original findings, providing the first cohesive overview of BEVA 371′s complex product and formulation history, focusing on material and adhesive properties in its use as an adhesive for canvas bonding. In this, the adhesive's effectiveness highly depends on factors such as activation temperature, application method, and material interactions. As BEVA 371 remains crucial in conservation, precise knowledge of the adhesive's characteristics is essential for assessing past, present, and future BEVA 371 applications that we will encounter in works of art in conservation practice.
{"title":"Long-term proven? Characteristics of the popular conservation heat-seal adhesive BEVA 371 and its modifications: A review","authors":"Mona Konietzny, Alina Klitzke, Ursula Haller","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since its introduction in the early 1970s, BEVA® 371 has become the most common conservation heat-seal adhesive. It is established across various fields and widely used as a lining adhesive for canvas paintings. Its key advantages include flexibility, reversibility, and compatibility with different materials. However, changes in formulation due to unavailable components have led to altered properties, like a rise in its activation temperature, which is crucial for an artwork's safety. Moreover, a new product has just been released. This comprehensive review uniquely synthesizes decades of research, manufacturer information, and original findings, providing the first cohesive overview of BEVA 371′s complex product and formulation history, focusing on material and adhesive properties in its use as an adhesive for canvas bonding. In this, the adhesive's effectiveness highly depends on factors such as activation temperature, application method, and material interactions. As BEVA 371 remains crucial in conservation, precise knowledge of the adhesive's characteristics is essential for assessing past, present, and future BEVA 371 applications that we will encounter in works of art in conservation practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 391-407"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976211","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}
Stone biodeterioration caused by microbial colonisation poses significant challenges to the conservation of cultural heritage. Here, we investigate highly viscous polymeric dispersions (HVPDs) using Origanum vulgare essential oil (EO) and its primary active component, carvacrol, to provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical biocides. The formulations were characterised by rheology, revealing shear-thinning behaviour that facilitates both application and subsequent peeling removal. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) provided insights into the chemical interactions and molecular dynamics within the HVPDs. Both HVPDs formulations with EO and carvacrol were applied to remove biofilm from a sandstone surface at Castlelaw, an ancient Iron Age fort in Scotland. Biocidal efficacy was assessed through Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assays, showing substantial reductions in microbial contamination, and Fourier Transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR ATR) highlighted the removal of biogenic compounds. Both formulations maintained significant antimicrobial activity over two months, suggesting their potential for long-term application in conservation. Overall, this study underscores the viability of HVPDs enriched with natural essential oils as sustainable solutions for microbial biodeterioration in historic stone materials, paving the way for future advancements in conservation practices.
{"title":"Assessment and characterization of Origanum vulgare essential oil in highly viscous polymeric dispersions for cleaning cultural heritage stone materials","authors":"Laura Giuliani , Chiara Genova , Elisa Villani , Valeria Stagno , Luca Paoletti , Ekaterina Oknazova , Alessandro Ciccola , Damiana Magris , Clive Cruickshank , Gabriele Favero , Dave J. Adams , Silvia Capuani","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stone biodeterioration caused by microbial colonisation poses significant challenges to the conservation of cultural heritage. Here, we investigate highly viscous polymeric dispersions (HVPDs) using <em>Origanum vulgare</em> essential oil (EO) and its primary active component, carvacrol, to provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical biocides. The formulations were characterised by rheology, revealing shear-thinning behaviour that facilitates both application and subsequent peeling removal. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) provided insights into the chemical interactions and molecular dynamics within the HVPDs. Both HVPDs formulations with EO and carvacrol were applied to remove biofilm from a sandstone surface at Castlelaw, an ancient Iron Age fort in Scotland. Biocidal efficacy was assessed through Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assays, showing substantial reductions in microbial contamination, and Fourier Transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR ATR) highlighted the removal of biogenic compounds. Both formulations maintained significant antimicrobial activity over two months, suggesting their potential for long-term application in conservation. Overall, this study underscores the viability of HVPDs enriched with natural essential oils as sustainable solutions for microbial biodeterioration in historic stone materials, paving the way for future advancements in conservation practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 341-350"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880457","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.002
F.E. Belharchaa, M. Ebn Touhami, Y. Baymou
Archaeological metal objects associated with wood undergo accelerated deterioration by polyethylene glycol during the impregnation process. In this context, this work studies the protective effect of Phenanthroline (Phen) against corrosion and biocorrosion on heritage wood and iron assemblies in a 10 % PEG-200 environment. The evaluation of the Phen molecule was carried out by electrochemical test and by natural aging tests, approaching post-operative conditions. For steel, the results showed a synergy between Phen and PEG-200, for an inhibitory efficiency maintained for high temperatures and over time, the maximum efficiency reaches 99.72 %. For the wood-nail composite, the addition of Phen ensures the protection of the archaeological nail during impregnation without having an effect on the evolution of microorganisms.
{"title":"Optimization of PEG-200-based waterlogged archaeological wood-steel composite impregnation bath against corrosion and biocorrosion","authors":"F.E. Belharchaa, M. Ebn Touhami, Y. Baymou","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Archaeological metal objects associated with wood undergo accelerated deterioration by polyethylene glycol during the impregnation process. In this context, this work studies the protective effect of Phenanthroline (Phen) against corrosion and biocorrosion on heritage wood and iron assemblies in a 10 % PEG-200 environment. The evaluation of the Phen molecule was carried out by electrochemical test and by natural aging tests, approaching post-operative conditions. For steel, the results showed a synergy between Phen and PEG-200, for an inhibitory efficiency maintained for high temperatures and over time, the maximum efficiency reaches 99.72 %. For the wood-nail composite, the addition of Phen ensures the protection of the archaeological nail during impregnation without having an effect on the evolution of microorganisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 234-242"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786903","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.003
Wataru Tanikawa , Shintaro Yamasaki , Tetsuya Yamamoto , Jun Kimura , Masao Yoshida , Hisashi Nakagawa , Akihiro Shimada , Yuhji Yamamoto , Randy Sasaki , Takehiro Hirose
Hibara Village, a former post town in Fukushima Prefecture, Northern Japan, was submerged beneath Lake Hibara following the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai. Since its submergence, the area has remained largely undisturbed by land development, suggesting that many of its original features have been well preserved. To reconstruct the village’s townscape, we conducted a high-resolution microtopographic survey using multibeam echo sounder (MBES) data and generated CS 3D maps for spatial analysis. By comparing these results with historical cadastral maps, we identified the locations of land parcels, roads, irrigation canals, and tree-lined pathways. Topographic analysis revealed that residential areas were situated at the fan toe of an alluvial cone, agricultural fields in the mid-fan area, and irrigation canals along the fan’s base. This spatial organization suggests that the settlement was strategically designed to exploit the area’s hydrological characteristics. However, the accumulation of lake sediments since the eruption has obscured microtopographic features on the southern side of the site, preventing confirmation of the townscape in that area and the precise course of the former river. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating acoustic survey methods with historical records to reconstruct submerged archaeological landscapes.
{"title":"Reconstructing a submerged post town: Microtopographic analysis of Hibara Village beneath Lake Hibara","authors":"Wataru Tanikawa , Shintaro Yamasaki , Tetsuya Yamamoto , Jun Kimura , Masao Yoshida , Hisashi Nakagawa , Akihiro Shimada , Yuhji Yamamoto , Randy Sasaki , Takehiro Hirose","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hibara Village, a former post town in Fukushima Prefecture, Northern Japan, was submerged beneath Lake Hibara following the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai. Since its submergence, the area has remained largely undisturbed by land development, suggesting that many of its original features have been well preserved. To reconstruct the village’s townscape, we conducted a high-resolution microtopographic survey using multibeam echo sounder (MBES) data and generated CS 3D maps for spatial analysis. By comparing these results with historical cadastral maps, we identified the locations of land parcels, roads, irrigation canals, and tree-lined pathways. Topographic analysis revealed that residential areas were situated at the fan toe of an alluvial cone, agricultural fields in the mid-fan area, and irrigation canals along the fan’s base. This spatial organization suggests that the settlement was strategically designed to exploit the area’s hydrological characteristics. However, the accumulation of lake sediments since the eruption has obscured microtopographic features on the southern side of the site, preventing confirmation of the townscape in that area and the precise course of the former river. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating acoustic survey methods with historical records to reconstruct submerged archaeological landscapes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 462-473"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147395208","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.012
Vojtěch Zemek , Radek Ryšánek , Petra Krejčí , Lukáš Kučera , Jana Nádvorníková , Adéla Tůmová , Helena Heroldová , Adriana Stříbrná , Petr Bednář
In the restoration and conservation of oriental lacquers, it is important to know what type of lacquer(s) and other components were used during the production of surveyed and potentially conserved or restored object. Traditionally infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) are used for lacquer type classification. We suggested a new approach based on atmospheric solids analysis probe high resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with cyclic ion mobility (ASAP-IMS-THRMS). This method was applied to 27 historical lacquer samples of Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Burmese provenance dated from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and allowed their resolution and classification according to region of origin. The main classification capability was provided by phenol and benzenediol derivatives. The analysis of these compounds aside, the method allowed simultaneous detection of arsenic sulfides pigments as well as diterpenic and triterpenic resins in lacquer layers allowing samples characterization in a wider restoration, conservation and art history context.
{"title":"Characterization of Asian lacquers by atmospheric solids analysis probe high resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with cyclic ion mobility separation","authors":"Vojtěch Zemek , Radek Ryšánek , Petra Krejčí , Lukáš Kučera , Jana Nádvorníková , Adéla Tůmová , Helena Heroldová , Adriana Stříbrná , Petr Bednář","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the restoration and conservation of oriental lacquers, it is important to know what type of lacquer(s) and other components were used during the production of surveyed and potentially conserved or restored object. Traditionally infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) are used for lacquer type classification. We suggested a new approach based on atmospheric solids analysis probe high resolution tandem mass spectrometry coupled with cyclic ion mobility (ASAP-IMS-THRMS). This method was applied to 27 historical lacquer samples of Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Burmese provenance dated from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and allowed their resolution and classification according to region of origin. The main classification capability was provided by phenol and benzenediol derivatives. The analysis of these compounds aside, the method allowed simultaneous detection of arsenic sulfides pigments as well as diterpenic and triterpenic resins in lacquer layers allowing samples characterization in a wider restoration, conservation and art history context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 187-196"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145691027","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.015
Xinyu Jiang, Sok Yee Yeo
Under the impact of climate change, the Ming Great Wall of China is facing accelerated weathering on an unprecedented scale. Based on the principles of the soft capping approach, we propose to use the “natural capping” approach by applying native plants and soil medium that are adaptable to the in situ environments. Following field surveys of the Ming Great Wall in Shanxi Province, four scaled-down earthen walls were fabricated to support the growth of selected native plants on the top surfaces. Long-term monitoring revealed that the earthen walls covered by natural capping, especially native herbs with more biomass, could effectively influence thermal behaviour and moisture movement of the earthen walls, thus providing sustainable preservation effects in semi-arid regions. Compared with bare wall, natural capping reduced the number of freeze-thaw cycles at the top of the wall by 41.2 % in winter, decreased the average rate of temperature increase by 47.2 % in summer, and reduced the daily temperature difference and the temperature gradient between the range of 0 and 20 cm. Under the effects of rainfall, natural capping effectively stabilizes the moisture content in winter, decreases moisture fluctuation frequency by >61.9 % and delays the start time of moisture infiltration in the interior walls during summer. After one year of outdoor monitoring, the total loss of earth material was reduced significantly by 82.5 %. The findings of this work provide informed technical support for the long-term preservation of earthen heritage via the natural approach.
{"title":"Can natural capping provide long-term protection to earthen heritage in semi-arid regions?","authors":"Xinyu Jiang, Sok Yee Yeo","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under the impact of climate change, the Ming Great Wall of China is facing accelerated weathering on an unprecedented scale. Based on the principles of the soft capping approach, we propose to use the “natural capping” approach by applying native plants and soil medium that are adaptable to the in situ environments. Following field surveys of the Ming Great Wall in Shanxi Province, four scaled-down earthen walls were fabricated to support the growth of selected native plants on the top surfaces. Long-term monitoring revealed that the earthen walls covered by natural capping, especially native herbs with more biomass, could effectively influence thermal behaviour and moisture movement of the earthen walls, thus providing sustainable preservation effects in semi-arid regions. Compared with bare wall, natural capping reduced the number of freeze-thaw cycles at the top of the wall by 41.2 % in winter, decreased the average rate of temperature increase by 47.2 % in summer, and reduced the daily temperature difference and the temperature gradient between the range of 0 and 20 cm. Under the effects of rainfall, natural capping effectively stabilizes the moisture content in winter, decreases moisture fluctuation frequency by >61.9 % and delays the start time of moisture infiltration in the interior walls during summer. After one year of outdoor monitoring, the total loss of earth material was reduced significantly by 82.5 %. The findings of this work provide informed technical support for the long-term preservation of earthen heritage via the natural approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 223-233"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733373","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.007
Weijia Wang , Fasi Wu , Xiaobo Liu
Historical buildings are an essential representative of UNESCO World Heritage, but they can also harbour microbial threats due to long-term exposure to an open environment. Given the dynamics of outdoor environmental parameters, microbial communities shape diverse functions that can lead to divergence in the biodeterioration of historical buildings, posing a significant challenge to heritage conservation. Here, we investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the biodeteriorated brick heritage of the Nanjing Ming City Wall, unravel the correlations between microbial communities and physicochemical parameters, and explore the key taxa that drive the biodeterioration divergence. Despite being sampled in the same area, physicochemical analysis indicated a significant divergence in the deterioration of the brick heritage. Microbial structures suggested that the predominant phyla are Acidobacteriota, Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteriota, highlighting Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi as the key players that shape the divergence in biodeterioration. Moreover, the correlations between microbial communities and physicochemical parameters confirmed that members of Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi contribute to the biodeterioration divergence, probably through denitrification and nitrification. Given that the biodeteriorated bricks are situated in the same environment, we claim that the in-situ microenvironment that microbial colonizers might shape could, in turn, affect biodeterioration. Our findings will advance knowledge of the microbiomes that drive the biodeterioration dynamics of brick heritage and provide a basis for diagnosing microbial biodeterioration of outdoor stone heritage.
{"title":"Unraveling of microbial colonizers driving biodeterioration divergence of brick heritage of the Nanjing Ming City Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of China","authors":"Weijia Wang , Fasi Wu , Xiaobo Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Historical buildings are an essential representative of UNESCO World Heritage, but they can also harbour microbial threats due to long-term exposure to an open environment. Given the dynamics of outdoor environmental parameters, microbial communities shape diverse functions that can lead to divergence in the biodeterioration of historical buildings, posing a significant challenge to heritage conservation. Here, we investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the biodeteriorated brick heritage of the Nanjing Ming City Wall, unravel the correlations between microbial communities and physicochemical parameters, and explore the key taxa that drive the biodeterioration divergence. Despite being sampled in the same area, physicochemical analysis indicated a significant divergence in the deterioration of the brick heritage. Microbial structures suggested that the predominant phyla are Acidobacteriota, Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteriota, highlighting Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi as the key players that shape the divergence in biodeterioration. Moreover, the correlations between microbial communities and physicochemical parameters confirmed that members of Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi contribute to the biodeterioration divergence, probably through denitrification and nitrification. Given that the biodeteriorated bricks are situated in the same environment, we claim that the in-situ microenvironment that microbial colonizers might shape could, in turn, affect biodeterioration. Our findings will advance knowledge of the microbiomes that drive the biodeterioration dynamics of brick heritage and provide a basis for diagnosing microbial biodeterioration of outdoor stone heritage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 306-314"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836618","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.005
Marco Casazza , Rosa Fiorillo , Fabrizio Barone
Church bells, as historical artifacts and musical instruments, represent a unique intersection between tangible and intangible elements of cultural heritage. While previous works suggested that systematic bell tuning only emerged in the 18th century, this work hypothesizes and presents experimental evidence indicating otherwise. Focusing on the bells of Salerno Cathedral (Italy), casted between the 13th and 19th centuries, we investigated whether their tuning reference evolved coherently with the historical evolution of Western music theory or followed independent standards. A non-invasive spectral analysis was applied to identify tonal components and compare them with historical musical temperaments. Results show that reference tuning systems were already in use by the 13th century, centuries earlier than previously documented. A consistent evolution in tuning, matching the historical development of temperaments, was also observed. These findings suggest the existence of a non-formalized implicit know-how in bell-making, having important implications for heritage conservation. The proposed approach also provides a preliminary diagnostic tool to support the identification of a church bell features for its functional restoration, supporting the recognition of this know-how as a part of the intangible heritage related to church bells.
{"title":"Church bells tuning temperament evaluation through spectral acoustic emission matching","authors":"Marco Casazza , Rosa Fiorillo , Fabrizio Barone","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Church bells, as historical artifacts and musical instruments, represent a unique intersection between tangible and intangible elements of cultural heritage. While previous works suggested that systematic bell tuning only emerged in the 18th century, this work hypothesizes and presents experimental evidence indicating otherwise. Focusing on the bells of Salerno Cathedral (Italy), casted between the 13th and 19th centuries, we investigated whether their tuning reference evolved coherently with the historical evolution of Western music theory or followed independent standards. A non-invasive spectral analysis was applied to identify tonal components and compare them with historical musical temperaments. Results show that reference tuning systems were already in use by the 13th century, centuries earlier than previously documented. A consistent evolution in tuning, matching the historical development of temperaments, was also observed. These findings suggest the existence of a non-formalized implicit know-how in bell-making, having important implications for heritage conservation. The proposed approach also provides a preliminary diagnostic tool to support the identification of a church bell features for its functional restoration, supporting the recognition of this know-how as a part of the intangible heritage related to church bells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 109-116"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577793","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 : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-18DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.021
Marta Porcaro , Laura M. Michetti , Alessandro Conti , Giacomo Mazzotta , Tilde de Caro , Matteo Paciucci , Antonio Doménech-Carbó , Caterina De Vito
The archaeological site of Pyrgi (Santa Severa, Rome, Italy) has yielded a diverse range of metal artifacts that provide valuable insights into the Etruscans' metallurgical knowledge and material selection practices. This study focuses on micro-inclusions, microstructure, chemical composition, and corrosive process of arrowheads, nails, and aes rude. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis, i.e., Voltammetry of Immobilized Particles (VIMP), and Mott-Schottky (MS) were used. The nails and aes rude are pure copper, with minor contents of tin and lead, while the arrowheads are ternary bronze alloy (Cu-Sn-Pb). The microstructures of nails and aes rude are characterized by the presence of Pb-Bi, Pb-Te-Se, and S-Te-Se-Fe micro-inclusions within the metal matrix, which provide insights into smelting processes, the nature of the ores used, and technological capabilities. The variability of inclusions suggests the use of polymetallic minerals as starting materials. Tellurium and selenium suggest refining practices and smelting techniques that were not fully optimized. The corrosion patinas are composed of cuprite, malachite, and trihydroxychlorides. The Mott-Schottky analysis highlighted variations in the electrochemical response of the corrosion layers, suggesting different alteration conditions among areas of Pyrgi. These results contribute to the exploration of Etruscan metallurgical choices and techniques, highlighting variations in smelting processes, raw materials, and processing practices.
{"title":"The key role of Pb-Bi, Pb-Te-Se and S-Fe-Te-Se inclusions, microstructures, and corrosion processes in reconstructing Etruscan metallurgy at Pyrgi (Latium, Italy)","authors":"Marta Porcaro , Laura M. Michetti , Alessandro Conti , Giacomo Mazzotta , Tilde de Caro , Matteo Paciucci , Antonio Doménech-Carbó , Caterina De Vito","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.021","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The archaeological site of Pyrgi (Santa Severa, Rome, Italy) has yielded a diverse range of metal artifacts that provide valuable insights into the Etruscans' metallurgical knowledge and material selection practices. This study focuses on micro-inclusions, microstructure, chemical composition, and corrosive process of arrowheads, nails, and <em>aes rude</em>. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis, <em>i.e.</em>, Voltammetry of Immobilized Particles (VIMP), and Mott-Schottky (MS) were used. The nails and <em>aes rude</em> are pure copper, with minor contents of tin and lead, while the arrowheads are ternary bronze alloy (Cu-Sn-Pb). The microstructures of nails and <em>aes rude</em> are characterized by the presence of Pb-Bi, Pb-Te-Se, and S-Te-Se-Fe micro-inclusions within the metal matrix, which provide insights into smelting processes, the nature of the ores used, and technological capabilities. The variability of inclusions suggests the use of polymetallic minerals as starting materials. Tellurium and selenium suggest refining practices and smelting techniques that were not fully optimized. The corrosion patinas are composed of cuprite, malachite, and trihydroxychlorides. The Mott-Schottky analysis highlighted variations in the electrochemical response of the corrosion layers, suggesting different alteration conditions among areas of Pyrgi. These results contribute to the exploration of Etruscan metallurgical choices and techniques, highlighting variations in smelting processes, raw materials, and processing practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 67-80"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577753","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}
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