Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.005
Diego A. Ahumada-Forigua , Inés Acevedo , Georgios Magkanas , Teresa Palomar , Paloma Pastor , Javier Saurina , José F. García
Portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) is a powerful, non-destructive tool widely used to analyze cultural heritage objects. However, limitations such as noise, drift, and spectral overlaps may affect the accuracy of elemental identification and quantification. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for processing and analyzing p-XRF spectra, aiming to improve the reliability and accuracy of elemental identification in cultural heritage materials. The methodology incorporates key steps such as spectral alignment, energy calibration, smoothing, drift correction, signal detection, deconvolution, and integration.
The approach was successfully applied to reference materials and historical glass objects from La Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja, which exhibit a wide range of elemental concentrations. Furthermore, the methodology was adapted to deal with spectra acquired from various portable XRF instruments, demonstrating broad compatibility. Notable improvements include increased positive and negative predictive values for element identification, especially for challenging low-intensity signals such as Na, Mg, and Al, compared to the direct instrument report. Limits of detection were also established, demonstrating reliability across a range of elements. Key advancements include reduced noise, enhanced linearity (R²), and the preservation of spectral proportionality, ensuring robust and reproducible results. This approach reduces uncertainty in element identification, improves the accuracy in concentration determination and facilitates the use of p-XRF by researchers and conservators. A user-friendly implementation of this procedure, including example datasets and scripts, is provided in the Supplementary Material. Additionally, an interactive Shiny application was included to allow users to perform basic spectral processing in a straightforward and accessible manner.
便携式x射线荧光(p-XRF)是一种功能强大的非破坏性工具,广泛用于分析文物。然而,诸如噪声、漂移和光谱重叠等限制可能会影响元素识别和定量的准确性。本研究提出了一种综合的p-XRF光谱处理和分析方法,旨在提高文化遗产材料元素鉴定的可靠性和准确性。该方法包括关键步骤,如光谱对准,能量校准,平滑,漂移校正,信号检测,反褶积和积分。该方法成功地应用于La Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja的参考材料和历史玻璃制品,它们表现出广泛的元素浓度。此外,该方法适用于处理从各种便携式XRF仪器获得的光谱,显示出广泛的兼容性。与直接仪器报告相比,显著的改进包括增加了元素识别的阳性和阴性预测值,特别是对于具有挑战性的低强度信号,如Na, Mg和Al。还建立了检测限,证明了在一系列元素中的可靠性。关键的进步包括降低噪声,增强线性(R²),以及保持光谱比例,确保鲁棒性和可重复性的结果。该方法减少了元素鉴定的不确定度,提高了浓度测定的准确性,便于研究人员和保存人员使用p-XRF。补充材料中提供了该过程的用户友好实现,包括示例数据集和脚本。此外,还包括一个交互式Shiny应用程序,允许用户以简单易懂的方式执行基本的光谱处理。
{"title":"New strategies for portable XRF spectrum processing applied to historical glasses","authors":"Diego A. Ahumada-Forigua , Inés Acevedo , Georgios Magkanas , Teresa Palomar , Paloma Pastor , Javier Saurina , José F. García","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) is a powerful, non-destructive tool widely used to analyze cultural heritage objects. However, limitations such as noise, drift, and spectral overlaps may affect the accuracy of elemental identification and quantification. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for processing and analyzing p-XRF spectra, aiming to improve the reliability and accuracy of elemental identification in cultural heritage materials. The methodology incorporates key steps such as spectral alignment, energy calibration, smoothing, drift correction, signal detection, deconvolution, and integration.</div><div>The approach was successfully applied to reference materials and historical glass objects from La Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja, which exhibit a wide range of elemental concentrations. Furthermore, the methodology was adapted to deal with spectra acquired from various portable XRF instruments, demonstrating broad compatibility. Notable improvements include increased positive and negative predictive values for element identification, especially for challenging low-intensity signals such as Na, Mg, and Al, compared to the direct instrument report. Limits of detection were also established, demonstrating reliability across a range of elements. Key advancements include reduced noise, enhanced linearity (R²), and the preservation of spectral proportionality, ensuring robust and reproducible results. This approach reduces uncertainty in element identification, improves the accuracy in concentration determination and facilitates the use of p-XRF by researchers and conservators. A user-friendly implementation of this procedure, including example datasets and scripts, is provided in the Supplementary Material. Additionally, an interactive Shiny application was included to allow users to perform basic spectral processing in a straightforward and accessible manner.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 351-363"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880460","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: 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.006
Peter Majoroš , Pavla Kučerová , Dalibor Všianský , Silvie Švarcová , Petr Bezdička , Lukáš Kučera
This interdisciplinary paper presents the results of an examination of the original coloring as well as the later modifications of stucco decorations, authored by the sculptor and stuccoer Baldassarre Fontana. The rich stucco decoration adorns the Archbishop’s Chateau in Kroměříž, which, together with its gardens, is listed as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). The detailed material investigation employed a multianalytical approach, comprising polarising light microscopy (PLM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR/ATR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Next, Raman microspectroscopy (µRS) was used as a complementary method, while X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), including X-ray powder microdiffraction (µXRPD), was used to ascertain the phase composition of the pigments.
The earliest scheme features a restrained white monochrome over lime-based finishing layers, locally accented by iron-oxide red-brown details (e.g., eyes, lips). Multiple thin scialbo (limewash) strata were identified. Petrographic features indicate lime–gypsum technology with occasional hydraulic traits. Later interventions include a 19th-century light-green repaint containing copper acetoarsenite (Paris green), followed by overpaints from the 19th to the 20th century with zinc white and TiO₂ (anatase) extenders. FTIR-ATR and μRS detected secondary calcium oxalates related to surface alteration and signals consistent with a drying-oil class binder on selected elements. These markers refine the chronology of treatments and inform conservation strategies, supporting selective uncovering and stabilization of significant layers
{"title":"The first evidence of the polychromy on the stucco decoration in the Archbishop's Chateau - Sala Terrena (Kroměříž, Czech Republic)","authors":"Peter Majoroš , Pavla Kučerová , Dalibor Všianský , Silvie Švarcová , Petr Bezdička , Lukáš Kučera","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This interdisciplinary paper presents the results of an examination of the original coloring as well as the later modifications of stucco decorations, authored by the sculptor and stuccoer Baldassarre Fontana. The rich stucco decoration adorns the Archbishop’s Chateau in Kroměříž, which, together with its gardens, is listed as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). The detailed material investigation employed a multianalytical approach, comprising polarising light microscopy (PLM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR/ATR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Next, Raman microspectroscopy (µRS) was used as a complementary method, while X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), including X-ray powder microdiffraction (µXRPD), was used to ascertain the phase composition of the pigments.</div><div>The earliest scheme features a restrained white monochrome over lime-based finishing layers, locally accented by iron-oxide red-brown details (e.g., eyes, lips). Multiple thin <em>scialbo</em> (limewash) strata were identified. Petrographic features indicate lime–gypsum technology with occasional hydraulic traits. Later interventions include a 19th-century light-green repaint containing copper acetoarsenite (Paris green), followed by overpaints from the 19th to the 20th century with zinc white and TiO₂ (anatase) extenders. FTIR-ATR and μRS detected secondary calcium oxalates related to surface alteration and signals consistent with a drying-oil class binder on selected elements. These markers refine the chronology of treatments and inform conservation strategies, supporting selective uncovering and stabilization of significant layers</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 149-155"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621533","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: 2026-02-20DOI: 10.1016/S1296-2074(26)00025-7
{"title":"ours Elsevier","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1296-2074(26)00025-7","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1296-2074(26)00025-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Page iv"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147395207","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.2025.12.013
Ruth Chércoles Asensio , María Matesanz Benito , Marta Pérez Estébanez , María Higueras , Silvia G. Fernández-Villa , Sonia Santos Gómez , Elena Gómez-Sánchez , y Margarita San Andrés Moya
The accurate identification of polymeric materials used in Cultural Heritage is crucial for ensuring their preservation. Their inherent variability makes the identification and characterization a complex endeavor. Consequently, it is vital to improve identification methods and to deepen the understanding of plastic degradation. A comprehensive approach incorporating reliable reference standards is essential for the precise diagnosis of their state of conservation and to support appropriate intervention strategies and criteria. Furthermore, facilitating the dissemination of these data for practical application within the scientific and professional community is fundamental.
The primary objective of this study is to translate the aforementioned knowledge into a readily accessible resource in the form of a reference database providing a framework for the identification and conservation of polymeric heritage items and artistic production and assisting in the study of existing products on the market.
This research systematically analyses 50 widely used materials processed under the same conditions provided by The ResinKit™. The polymers were characterized using a range of analytical methods, including optical microscopy, spectrocolorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR), and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The samples were then subjected to artificial aging under controlled conditions of radiation (Xenon-Arc chamber for 1080 h), temperature and humidity (Climate test chambers for 840 h). The evaluation of the results was undertaken by repeating the series of previous tests and comparing them with the pre-aging analytical data.
The final step was to integrate all the results into a freely accessible online database that compiles all the information providing controlled reference standards for analyses of cultural artifacts and commercially available polymeric materials, thereby facilitating research in laboratories dedicated to the study of these materials within the context of fine arts and heritage conservation.
This paper analyses, as a case study, key heritage polymer families: polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) and cellulose acetates (CAs).
{"title":"Multianalytical approach to the study of polymeric materials under artificial aging: Reference database","authors":"Ruth Chércoles Asensio , María Matesanz Benito , Marta Pérez Estébanez , María Higueras , Silvia G. Fernández-Villa , Sonia Santos Gómez , Elena Gómez-Sánchez , y Margarita San Andrés Moya","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.12.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The accurate identification of polymeric materials used in Cultural Heritage is crucial for ensuring their preservation. Their inherent variability makes the identification and characterization a complex endeavor. Consequently, it is vital to improve identification methods and to deepen the understanding of plastic degradation. A comprehensive approach incorporating reliable reference standards is essential for the precise diagnosis of their state of conservation and to support appropriate intervention strategies and criteria. Furthermore, facilitating the dissemination of these data for practical application within the scientific and professional community is fundamental.</div><div>The primary objective of this study is to translate the aforementioned knowledge into a readily accessible resource in the form of a reference database providing a framework for the identification and conservation of polymeric heritage items and artistic production and assisting in the study of existing products on the market.</div><div>This research systematically analyses 50 widely used materials processed under the same conditions provided by The ResinKit™. The polymers were characterized using a range of analytical methods, including optical microscopy, spectrocolorimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR), and Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The samples were then subjected to artificial aging under controlled conditions of radiation (Xenon-Arc chamber for 1080 h), temperature and humidity (Climate test chambers for 840 h). The evaluation of the results was undertaken by repeating the series of previous tests and comparing them with the pre-aging analytical data.</div><div>The final step was to integrate all the results into a freely accessible online database that compiles all the information providing controlled reference standards for analyses of cultural artifacts and commercially available polymeric materials, thereby facilitating research in laboratories dedicated to the study of these materials within the context of fine arts and heritage conservation.</div><div>This paper analyses, as a case study, key heritage polymer families: polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) and cellulose acetates (CAs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 439-452"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976213","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: 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.014
Georgina Jenkins , Timothy Baxter
Climbing plants, such as English ivy (Hedera helix), are an important component of the natural and built environment, and are increasingly integrated into the designs of modern developments to provide aesthetic and thermal benefits. Yet, the influence of ivy on the conservation of historic buildings remains controversial. In urban and rural settings, ivy has been shown to both enhance and retard material breakdown. However, in dynamic coastal environments, where heritage assets are regularly exposed to variable weather conditions and damaging ocean spray, the impacts of ivy on stone decay are relatively unknown. In this study, a combination of laboratory simulations and field experiments were used to assess the impacts of different covers of ivy (i.e., full foliage, managed foliage, and exposed stone) on surface and subsurface microclimates and stone deterioration at two sixteenth century castles in Kent, UK. Our results show that ivy may shield surfaces against potentially damaging salt crystals, and buffer extremes and fluctuations in temperature and humidity during warm, summer conditions. Importantly, we show that heavily-managed stems can provide protective functions irrespective of leaves through the modulation of environmental variables linked to stone decay.
{"title":"Assessing the thermal dampening and blanketing effects of ivy (Hedera helix) on stone-built coastal heritage assets under summer conditions","authors":"Georgina Jenkins , Timothy Baxter","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climbing plants, such as English ivy (<em>Hedera helix</em>), are an important component of the natural and built environment, and are increasingly integrated into the designs of modern developments to provide aesthetic and thermal benefits. Yet, the influence of ivy on the conservation of historic buildings remains controversial. In urban and rural settings, ivy has been shown to both enhance and retard material breakdown. However, in dynamic coastal environments, where heritage assets are regularly exposed to variable weather conditions and damaging ocean spray, the impacts of ivy on stone decay are relatively unknown. In this study, a combination of laboratory simulations and field experiments were used to assess the impacts of different covers of ivy (i.e., full foliage, managed foliage, and exposed stone) on surface and subsurface microclimates and stone deterioration at two sixteenth century castles in Kent, UK. Our results show that ivy may shield surfaces against potentially damaging salt crystals, and buffer extremes and fluctuations in temperature and humidity during warm, summer conditions. Importantly, we show that heavily-managed stems can provide protective functions irrespective of leaves through the modulation of environmental variables linked to stone decay.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 197-206"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733375","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: 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.027
Fernando Carrera-Ramírez , Vera Moreira Caetano
As part of a project with very ambitious goals (LandCRAFT - the sociocultural contexts of art from Recent Prehistory in the Côa Valley), the authors were entrusted with tasks related to the conservation of a large set of rock art sites. In order to achieve these goals, and given their complexity, a standardized inspection and measurement strategy was designed to determine the degree of vulnerability and risk of this group of archaeological sites.
In a research area in which proposals and bibliographic references are particularly rare, the developed formula has reached such a high level of complexity and interest that its publication and submission to the analysis and criticism of the scientific community has been deemed necessary. Indeed, we consider that scientific dissemination could not only improve this formula but also turn it into a useful tool for public use.
Consequently, we would like to present here the first version of VuRA (Vulnerability of Rock Art), an integrated set of record sheets aimed at determining vulnerability and risk in rock art sites. This proposal combines detailed field observation with territorial information and the support of data offered by other disciplines (archaeology, chemistry, geotechnics, etc.), with a level of detail and complexity that can be regulated by the editors, depending on the objectives of the study. In the case of the LandCRAFT project, VuRA was used to define in detail the management strategies (protection, presentation, conservation, etc.) of the set of sites covered by the project.
{"title":"VuRA: A proposal for calculating vulnerability and risk in rock art sites. The experience in Foz Côa","authors":"Fernando Carrera-Ramírez , Vera Moreira Caetano","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As part of a project with very ambitious goals (<em>LandCRAFT - the sociocultural contexts of art from Recent Prehistory in the Côa Valley</em>), the authors were entrusted with tasks related to the conservation of a large set of rock art sites. In order to achieve these goals, and given their complexity, a standardized inspection and measurement strategy was designed to determine the degree of vulnerability and risk of this group of archaeological sites.</div><div>In a research area in which proposals and bibliographic references are particularly rare, the developed formula has reached such a high level of complexity and interest that its publication and submission to the analysis and criticism of the scientific community has been deemed necessary. Indeed, we consider that scientific dissemination could not only improve this formula but also turn it into a useful tool for public use.</div><div>Consequently, we would like to present here the first version of VuRA (Vulnerability of Rock Art), an integrated set of record sheets aimed at determining vulnerability and risk in rock art sites. This proposal combines detailed field observation with territorial information and the support of data offered by other disciplines (archaeology, chemistry, geotechnics, etc.), with a level of detail and complexity that can be regulated by the editors, depending on the objectives of the study. In the case of the LandCRAFT project, VuRA was used to define in detail the management strategies (protection, presentation, conservation, etc.) of the set of sites covered by the project.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 117-126"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621534","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: 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.001
Daria A. Avdanina , Olga B. Vorobyova , Anna A. Ermolyuk , Nikolay P. Simonenko , Ivan A. Volkov , Liudmila A. Alexandrova , Maxim V. Jasko , Dmitry A. Makarov , Maxim A. Khomutov , Elena N. Khurs , Alexey R. Khomutov , Olga B. Riabova , Vadim A. Makarov , Egor V. Troyan , Michael V. Shitov , Alexander A. Zhgun
<div><div>Cultural heritage objects—particularly, paintings—consist of materials that can be deteriorated by specialized microorganisms. In this regard, it is imperative to both delineate their biodegradation capacity as well as select target antiseptics that can prevent this process, while remaining inert towards the painting materials. This study characterized the fungus <em>Iodophanus</em> sp. STG-150, belonging to the <em>Pezizaceae</em> family, which was isolated from bio-lesion sites of the 16th century painting “Deesis Tier of 13 Figures”—a unique habitat that has not been described before. To analyse their ability to degrade painting materials, cells of the STG-150 strain were inoculated onto crafted mock layers that were coloured with individual painting materials, including basis, adhesives, egg yolk emulsion and tempera paints, watercolour, and varnishes. STG-150 was able to actively grow on basis (pavoloka), adhesives (sturgeon glue and mordant), egg yolk emulsion, and ochre-pigment. Contrastingly, moderate growth was observed on watercolour black and varnishes (linseed oil, acrylic varnish). The addition of cobalt green, strontian yellow, cadmium red, and grey-green to the egg yolk resulted in significant antifungal resistance. Furthermore, the addition of zinc white and burnt sienna completely inhibited STG-150 growth. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was observed that STG-150 produced two morphological forms of mycelium on the egg yolk emulsion and ochre-pigment—vegetative and aerial with conidia. All other art materials revealed only vegetative mycelium. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also detected areas of STG-150 growth at the periphery of the inoculation site that were invisible to the eye. Mineral pigments as an antiseptic cannot be used to protect paintings from biodegradation, as they introduce unwanted colouration and degrade the original colour. Consequently, a targeted selection of new generation antiseptics were developed for the protection of paintings against STG-150: (i) nucleoside derivatives: <em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (Ala 54), <em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methylcytidine (Ala 106), 3′-amino-<em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methyl-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (SOV4); (ii) sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds: 3,5-dinitropyridin-2-yl thiocyanate – (М1), 4-nitro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-5-yl thiocyanate (M2), 3-cyano-5-nitropyridin-2-yl thiomorpholine-4-carbodithioate (M3), and ethyl 1‑hydroxy-6-thioxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate (М4); as well as (iii) <em>H</em>-phosphinic amino acid analogues: 1-Aminoethyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Ala-pH), <span>l</span>-amino-2-methylpropyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Val-pH), 1-amino-3-methylthiopropyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Met-pH), and <span>l</span>-amino-2-carboxyethyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Asp-α-pH). Their effects completely suppressed the growth of <em>Iodophanus</em> sp. STG-150. Further exploratio
文化遗产——尤其是绘画——由可能被特殊微生物腐蚀的材料组成。在这方面,必须描述它们的生物降解能力,并选择能够阻止这一过程的目标防腐剂,同时保持对涂漆材料的惰性。本研究鉴定了一种名为ioodophanus sp. STG-150的真菌,属于Pezizaceae科,它是从16世纪绘画“Deesis Tier of 13 Figures”的生物损伤部位分离出来的,这是一种以前从未被描述过的独特栖息地。为了分析它们降解绘画材料的能力,STG-150菌株的细胞被接种到精心制作的模拟层上,这些模拟层用不同的绘画材料着色,包括基色、粘合剂、蛋黄乳液和蛋彩画颜料、水彩和清漆。STG-150能够在基质(pavoloka)、粘合剂(鲟鱼胶和媒染剂)、蛋黄乳液和赭石色素上积极生长。相比之下,在水彩黑色和清漆(亚麻籽油,丙烯酸清漆)上观察到适度的增长。在蛋黄中加入钴绿、强韧黄、镉红和灰绿色,产生了显著的抗真菌能力。此外,添加锌白和烧sienna完全抑制了STG-150的生长。通过扫描电镜(SEM)观察到,STG-150在卵黄乳剂上产生菌丝和赭色色素-营养和气生分生孢子两种形态。所有其他艺术材料显示只有营养菌丝体。傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)还检测到了接种部位周围肉眼看不见的STG-150生长区域。矿物颜料作为防腐剂不能用于保护画作免受生物降解,因为它们会引入不必要的颜色并降低原始颜色。因此,我们有针对性地选择了新一代的防腐剂来保护STG-150的画作:(i)核苷衍生物:n4 -十二烷基-5-甲基-2 ' -脱氧胞苷(Ala 54), n4 -十二烷基-5-甲基胞苷(Ala 106), 3 ' -氨基- n4 -十二烷基-5-甲基-2 ',3 ' -二脱氧胞苷(SOV4);(ii)含硫杂环化合物:3,5-二硝基吡啶-2-基硫氰酸酯(М1)、4-硝基-2,1,3-苯并噻唑二唑-5-基硫氰酸酯(M2)、3-氰基-5-硝基吡啶-2-基硫吗啡-4-碳二硫酸酯(M3)和1 -羟基-6-硫氧基-1,6-二氢吡啶-3-羧酸酯乙酯(М4);以及(iii) h -膦酸类似物:1-氨基乙基- h -膦酸(Ala-pH)、1-氨基-2-甲基丙基- h -膦酸(Val-pH)、1-氨基-3-甲基硫丙基- h -膦酸(Met-pH)和1-氨基-2-羧乙基- h -膦酸(Asp-α-pH)。它们的作用完全抑制了碘藻STG-150的生长。进一步探索这些成功的杀菌剂与油漆和清漆的抗真菌活性和相容性应该在未来的模拟层研究中进行。
{"title":"Biodeterioration aspects of the 16th century icon “Deesis tier of thirteen figures” by the fungus Iodophanus sp. STG-150: a range of materials for biodegradation and selection of target antiseptics","authors":"Daria A. Avdanina , Olga B. Vorobyova , Anna A. Ermolyuk , Nikolay P. Simonenko , Ivan A. Volkov , Liudmila A. Alexandrova , Maxim V. Jasko , Dmitry A. Makarov , Maxim A. Khomutov , Elena N. Khurs , Alexey R. Khomutov , Olga B. Riabova , Vadim A. Makarov , Egor V. Troyan , Michael V. Shitov , Alexander A. Zhgun","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cultural heritage objects—particularly, paintings—consist of materials that can be deteriorated by specialized microorganisms. In this regard, it is imperative to both delineate their biodegradation capacity as well as select target antiseptics that can prevent this process, while remaining inert towards the painting materials. This study characterized the fungus <em>Iodophanus</em> sp. STG-150, belonging to the <em>Pezizaceae</em> family, which was isolated from bio-lesion sites of the 16th century painting “Deesis Tier of 13 Figures”—a unique habitat that has not been described before. To analyse their ability to degrade painting materials, cells of the STG-150 strain were inoculated onto crafted mock layers that were coloured with individual painting materials, including basis, adhesives, egg yolk emulsion and tempera paints, watercolour, and varnishes. STG-150 was able to actively grow on basis (pavoloka), adhesives (sturgeon glue and mordant), egg yolk emulsion, and ochre-pigment. Contrastingly, moderate growth was observed on watercolour black and varnishes (linseed oil, acrylic varnish). The addition of cobalt green, strontian yellow, cadmium red, and grey-green to the egg yolk resulted in significant antifungal resistance. Furthermore, the addition of zinc white and burnt sienna completely inhibited STG-150 growth. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was observed that STG-150 produced two morphological forms of mycelium on the egg yolk emulsion and ochre-pigment—vegetative and aerial with conidia. All other art materials revealed only vegetative mycelium. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also detected areas of STG-150 growth at the periphery of the inoculation site that were invisible to the eye. Mineral pigments as an antiseptic cannot be used to protect paintings from biodegradation, as they introduce unwanted colouration and degrade the original colour. Consequently, a targeted selection of new generation antiseptics were developed for the protection of paintings against STG-150: (i) nucleoside derivatives: <em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (Ala 54), <em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methylcytidine (Ala 106), 3′-amino-<em>N<sup>4</sup></em>-dodecyl-5-methyl-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (SOV4); (ii) sulphur-containing heterocyclic compounds: 3,5-dinitropyridin-2-yl thiocyanate – (М1), 4-nitro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-5-yl thiocyanate (M2), 3-cyano-5-nitropyridin-2-yl thiomorpholine-4-carbodithioate (M3), and ethyl 1‑hydroxy-6-thioxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate (М4); as well as (iii) <em>H</em>-phosphinic amino acid analogues: 1-Aminoethyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Ala-pH), <span>l</span>-amino-2-methylpropyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Val-pH), 1-amino-3-methylthiopropyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Met-pH), and <span>l</span>-amino-2-carboxyethyl-<em>H</em>-phosphinic acid (Asp-α-pH). Their effects completely suppressed the growth of <em>Iodophanus</em> sp. STG-150. Further exploratio","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 96-108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577754","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: 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.013
Francesca Nocca , Hilde Remøy
The abandonment of industrial buildings, driven by global economic changes and deindustrialization, has led to a growing interest in their adaptive reuse as a strategy for sustainable regeneration. This paper explores how disused industrial heritage can be transformed from waste into a valuable resource, aligning with circular economy principles. The main objective of the research is to propose an evaluation framework capable of assessing the multidimensional impacts (environmental, economic/financial, and socio-cultural) of adaptive reuse projects for industrial heritage across various project phases.
To achieve this, a systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying key criteria and indicators used in previous evaluations. The review highlighted the complexity of balancing heritage conservation, community needs, and sustainability goals. While numerous studies propose multicriteria evaluation frameworks, few explicitly address the circular economy perspective. In this context, the European Commission’s Level(s) tool (currently the only officially recognized framework for assessing building sustainability in a circular economy perspective) was selected as the basis for this research.
The Level(s) tool was integrated and expanded to account for the unique characteristics of industrial heritage, including historical significance and socio-cultural values. The resulting evaluation framework consists of six thematic-areas, nine macro-objectives and a comprehensive set of 48 criteria and 100+ indicators. Indicators are categorized by evaluation phase (ex-ante, ongoing, ex-post) and lifecycle status (renovation activity, in-use, future adaptation potential), ensuring relevance across the building lifecycle. They also distinguish between impacts on the building/site itself and those on its urban context.
The framework allows stakeholders, including designers, investors, policymakers, and communities, to evaluate the sustainability of adaptive reuse projects in a structured, transparent, and comparable way. It supports decision-making through multicriteria analysis and encourages stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, it emphasizes the integration of qualitative and quantitative data and accommodates varying levels of technical expertise.
This study provides a replicable, flexible, and interdisciplinary tool for evaluating the circular regeneration of industrial heritage. Future research will focus on applying this framework to real-world projects to validate and refine its components.
{"title":"Abandoned industrial heritage: From waste to resource. Which evaluation tools to evaluate this circular process?","authors":"Francesca Nocca , Hilde Remøy","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The abandonment of industrial buildings, driven by global economic changes and deindustrialization, has led to a growing interest in their adaptive reuse as a strategy for sustainable regeneration. This paper explores how disused industrial heritage can be transformed from waste into a valuable resource, aligning with circular economy principles. The main objective of the research is to propose an evaluation framework capable of assessing the multidimensional impacts (environmental, economic/financial, and socio-cultural) of adaptive reuse projects for industrial heritage across various project phases.</div><div>To achieve this, a systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying key criteria and indicators used in previous evaluations. The review highlighted the complexity of balancing heritage conservation, community needs, and sustainability goals. While numerous studies propose multicriteria evaluation frameworks, few explicitly address the circular economy perspective. In this context, the European Commission’s Level(s) tool (currently the only officially recognized framework for assessing building sustainability in a circular economy perspective) was selected as the basis for this research.</div><div>The Level(s) tool was integrated and expanded to account for the unique characteristics of industrial heritage, including historical significance and socio-cultural values. The resulting evaluation framework consists of six thematic-areas, nine macro-objectives and a comprehensive set of 48 criteria and 100+ indicators. Indicators are categorized by evaluation phase (ex-ante, ongoing, ex-post) and lifecycle status (renovation activity, in-use, future adaptation potential), ensuring relevance across the building lifecycle. They also distinguish between impacts on the building/site itself and those on its urban context.</div><div>The framework allows stakeholders, including designers, investors, policymakers, and communities, to evaluate the sustainability of adaptive reuse projects in a structured, transparent, and comparable way. It supports decision-making through multicriteria analysis and encourages stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, it emphasizes the integration of qualitative and quantitative data and accommodates varying levels of technical expertise.</div><div>This study provides a replicable, flexible, and interdisciplinary tool for evaluating the circular regeneration of industrial heritage. Future research will focus on applying this framework to real-world projects to validate and refine its components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 207-222"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733374","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: 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.008
W.P. Megarry , T. Venkatachalam , J.C. Day , S. Jain , S.F. Heron
The UNESCO World Heritage (WH) List contains cultural and natural properties deemed to be of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to all humanity. Property boundaries should encompass all elements that contribute to the OUV of the property and be sufficient to protect the OUV from any natural or anthropogenic threats. Climate change-related hazards are impacting WH properties at multiple scales. In many cases, especially for slow onset hazards, existing boundaries are not sufficient to monitor and respond to change. In these cases, it can help to explore the wider landscape context. This paper considers the utility of standardised remote sensing land use and land cover (LULC) data to understand the high-level environmental classifications within and surrounding cultural and mixed WH properties. Of 11 LULC classes within the analysed dataset, 10 were present in at least one of the 49 properties in the Indian Subcontinent recognised for their cultural heritage, with the most common being Tree cover (≥5% of the area of 40 properties and/or their surrounds). Protection of cultural properties from climate-based impacts can benefit from LULC analysis by responding to known climate-related risks (e.g., flood, wildfire, etc.) on specific land cover classes. These risk profiles can be useful decision support tools for climate adaptation. The analysis is demonstrated for four case studies at three locations, using properties with a range of sizes and values. For example, trees in the broader landscape within and around Khangchendzonga National Park may encounter future impacts from temperature change (resulting in shifting biomes and changing phenology), precipitation changes (resulting in changes in rainfall and drought) and wind changes (resulting in storm damage). Each of those climate drivers increase the risk of wildfires. Additionally, LULC analysis provides valuable information on a property’s environmental context when inscribed boundaries are unknown. This study demonstrates that a systematic and reliable analysis of LULC data can provide a way to consider the broader environmental context of WH properties, complementing property values described in their Statements of OUV. However, the study also acknowledges key limitations to using LULC, including classification accuracy concerns and challenges with validation across diverse site types. Finally, this work complements a parallel thematic approach that categorises values from WH documentation to streamline assessment of climate impacts.
{"title":"Land use and land cover analysis of cultural World Heritage to inform assessment of climate vulnerability","authors":"W.P. Megarry , T. Venkatachalam , J.C. Day , S. Jain , S.F. Heron","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.11.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The UNESCO World Heritage (WH) List contains cultural and natural properties deemed to be of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to all humanity. Property boundaries should encompass all elements that contribute to the OUV of the property and be sufficient to protect the OUV from any natural or anthropogenic threats. Climate change-related hazards are impacting WH properties at multiple scales. In many cases, especially for slow onset hazards, existing boundaries are not sufficient to monitor and respond to change. In these cases, it can help to explore the wider landscape context. This paper considers the utility of standardised remote sensing land use and land cover (LULC) data to understand the high-level environmental classifications within and surrounding cultural and mixed WH properties. Of 11 LULC classes within the analysed dataset, 10 were present in at least one of the 49 properties in the Indian Subcontinent recognised for their cultural heritage, with the most common being Tree cover (≥5% of the area of 40 properties and/or their surrounds). Protection of cultural properties from climate-based impacts can benefit from LULC analysis by responding to known climate-related risks (e.g., flood, wildfire, etc.) on specific land cover classes. These risk profiles can be useful decision support tools for climate adaptation. The analysis is demonstrated for four case studies at three locations, using properties with a range of sizes and values. For example, trees in the broader landscape within and around Khangchendzonga National Park may encounter future impacts from temperature change (resulting in shifting biomes and changing phenology), precipitation changes (resulting in changes in rainfall and drought) and wind changes (resulting in storm damage). Each of those climate drivers increase the risk of wildfires. Additionally, LULC analysis provides valuable information on a property’s environmental context when inscribed boundaries are unknown. This study demonstrates that a systematic and reliable analysis of LULC data can provide a way to consider the broader environmental context of WH properties, complementing property values described in their Statements of OUV. However, the study also acknowledges key limitations to using LULC, including classification accuracy concerns and challenges with validation across diverse site types. Finally, this work complements a parallel thematic approach that categorises values from WH documentation to streamline assessment of climate impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 243-253"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786902","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: 2025-11-12DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.025
Ximan Wang , Lu Wang , Zixuan Wang , Yan Liu , Fuwei Yang , Kun Zhang , Manli Sun , Yunxia Shen , Xiaoqin Yan
Gypsum mortar was widely used in many historic constructions. However, it is easy to be corroded by water from rain or damp. For the purpose of both surface protection and integral consolidation of the weathering gypsum mortar, a novel conservation method was explored in this study. The strategy is introducing the solutions of calcium hydroxy glycolate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate into the gypsum mortar one by one. X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy were employed to study the action mechanism of the method. Mechanical strength, compatibility and weather resistance tests were used to investigate the protective performance. The highly positive results show that the proposed method has a broad prospect in the conservation of the gypsum mortar in the historical buildings.
{"title":"Two birds with one stone: The method for both surface protection and integral reinforcement of gypsum mortar in historic constructions","authors":"Ximan Wang , Lu Wang , Zixuan Wang , Yan Liu , Fuwei Yang , Kun Zhang , Manli Sun , Yunxia Shen , Xiaoqin Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gypsum mortar was widely used in many historic constructions. However, it is easy to be corroded by water from rain or damp. For the purpose of both surface protection and integral consolidation of the weathering gypsum mortar, a novel conservation method was explored in this study. The strategy is introducing the solutions of calcium hydroxy glycolate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate into the gypsum mortar one by one. X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy were employed to study the action mechanism of the method. Mechanical strength, compatibility and weather resistance tests were used to investigate the protective performance. The highly positive results show that the proposed method has a broad prospect in the conservation of the gypsum mortar in the historical buildings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"77 ","pages":"Pages 15-25"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145493115","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}