The implementation of Stratigraphic analysis in HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling), and the combination with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is an active field of research that needs deeper knowledge and exploration. This work focuses on approaching this especially necessary translation of architectural and archaeological heritage into ‘as-built’ digital models that reliably represent and identify the characteristics of both the studied objects and their context. For this purpose, a novel multi-scale and multidisciplinary method is proposed to provide an integrated Stratigraphic-HBIM-GIS model. The 3D representation is developed in a specific open-access software that allows for: the interrelation of information from different data sources, its continuous upgrade, and its use from various expertise fields. The method has been validated by applying it to a singular Roman hydraulic structure located in the Archaeological Ensemble of Baelo Claudia (Cádiz, Spain), the Punta Paloma aqueduct (Chorrera section). It has been obtained the following valuable results: development of a GIS database of an archaeological ensemble, the identification of stratigraphic units and its implementation in a digital model associated with archaeological, architectural and historic data, the definition of possible vulnerability factors, and cross-referenced graphic information regarding historic data, archaeological excavation and context features. This method could be applied to enable the digitalization of archaeological and heritage structures, to valorize them from different frameworks, and also as a useful tool within preventive conservation works.
{"title":"A multi-scale stratigraphicHBIM-GIS method for the characterization of structures in heritage sites","authors":"Elena López-Ortiz , Iván García-Jiménez , Jianfei Dong , Paloma Pineda","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The implementation of Stratigraphic analysis in HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling), and the combination with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is an active field of research that needs deeper knowledge and exploration. This work focuses on approaching this especially necessary translation of architectural and archaeological heritage into ‘as-built’ digital models that reliably represent and identify the characteristics of both the studied objects and their context. For this purpose, a novel multi-scale and multidisciplinary method is proposed to provide an integrated Stratigraphic-HBIM-GIS model. The 3D representation is developed in a specific open-access software that allows for: the interrelation of information from different data sources, its continuous upgrade, and its use from various expertise fields. The method has been validated by applying it to a singular Roman hydraulic structure located in the Archaeological Ensemble of Baelo Claudia (Cádiz, Spain), the Punta Paloma aqueduct (Chorrera section). It has been obtained the following valuable results: development of a GIS database of an archaeological ensemble, the identification of stratigraphic units and its implementation in a digital model associated with archaeological, architectural and historic data, the definition of possible vulnerability factors, and cross-referenced graphic information regarding historic data, archaeological excavation and context features. This method could be applied to enable the digitalization of archaeological and heritage structures, to valorize them from different frameworks, and also as a useful tool within preventive conservation works.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 357-372"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462658","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.012
Laura Maestro-Guijarro , Pilar Punter , Francisco Javier Menasalvas , Ana Crespo , Santiago Sanchez-Cortes , Rafael Fort , Mónica Álvarez de Buergo , Paula María Carmona-Quiroga , Marta Castillejo , Mohamed Oujja
The immense variety of materials found in museum's archaeological collections often makes the tasks of cataloging and conservation difficult. This is even more challenging when dealing with objects related to personal adornments, such as jewelry or amulets, due to their extensive material diversity and complexity. For these reasons, the chemical characterization of this type of objects is crucial for linking the use of certain raw materials in the production of artifacts with commercial and influential spheres. The present study aims at the non/micro-invasive material characterization of a set of heterogeneous personal adornment pieces from a wide chronological period (2nd BC – 18th AD centuries) belonging to the archaeology collection of the Teruel Museum, Spain. A multi-analytical approach, without sample taking, was applied involving Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), which allowed surface and in-depth elemental analysis of materials including the detection of trace elements. The LIBS results were complemented by using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (p-XRF) and µ-Raman spectroscopy, which offered additional information on elemental and molecular surface composition, respectively, for accurate mineralogical identification. The analysis of the considered objects revealed the presence of a wide variety of both organic and inorganic materials that were used in the manufacturing processes, including red coral, black amber, glass, and iron, among others. This allowed for a comprehensive characterization and provided extensive details about the provenance and relative dating of the objects, information that will be useful in the elaboration of an updated catalog list and new conservation protocols for the archaeological collection of the Teruel Museum.
{"title":"Spectroanalytical approach for analysis of archaeological objects related to personal adornment from Teruel Museum","authors":"Laura Maestro-Guijarro , Pilar Punter , Francisco Javier Menasalvas , Ana Crespo , Santiago Sanchez-Cortes , Rafael Fort , Mónica Álvarez de Buergo , Paula María Carmona-Quiroga , Marta Castillejo , Mohamed Oujja","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The immense variety of materials found in museum's archaeological collections often makes the tasks of cataloging and conservation difficult. This is even more challenging when dealing with objects related to personal adornments, such as jewelry or amulets, due to their extensive material diversity and complexity. For these reasons, the chemical characterization of this type of objects is crucial for linking the use of certain raw materials in the production of artifacts with commercial and influential spheres. The present study aims at the non/micro-invasive material characterization of a set of heterogeneous personal adornment pieces from a wide chronological period (2nd BC – 18th AD centuries) belonging to the archaeology collection of the Teruel Museum, Spain. A multi-analytical approach, without sample taking, was applied involving Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), which allowed surface and in-depth elemental analysis of materials including the detection of trace elements. The LIBS results were complemented by using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (p-XRF) and µ-Raman spectroscopy, which offered additional information on elemental and molecular surface composition, respectively, for accurate mineralogical identification. The analysis of the considered objects revealed the presence of a wide variety of both organic and inorganic materials that were used in the manufacturing processes, including red coral, black amber, glass, and iron, among others. This allowed for a comprehensive characterization and provided extensive details about the provenance and relative dating of the objects, information that will be useful in the elaboration of an updated catalog list and new conservation protocols for the archaeological collection of the Teruel Museum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 277-287"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462665","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}
X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a well-established non-destructive imaging technique widely employed to examine the internal structures and materials of complex objects, offering crucial insights for conservation and restoration efforts. However, its application for direct material identification in cultural heritage contexts is partially explored. In this work, the CT imaging approach based on the Hounsfield Units (HU) scale—traditionally used in medical radiology and directly correlated with the linear attenuation coefficient (µ) and material density (kg/m³) were employed to analyze the wooden support of a seventeenth-century panel painting from the National Academy of San Luca Gallery in Rome and the wooden support of an Egyptian coffin from the collection of the Vatican Museums. HU values obtained from the case studies were quantitatively compared with those from reference wood samples scanned under identical conditions, enabling reasonably accurate material characterization. The obtained HU values allowed for a confident, non-invasive identification of wood species present in the samples highlighting the diagnostic value of HU mapping in heritage applications.
{"title":"Non-invasive identification and characterisation of wooden cultural heritage through Hounsfield unit-based CT imaging","authors":"Sveva Longo , Vincenza Crupi , Carmelo Corsaro , Silvia Capuani , Enza Fazio","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a well-established non-destructive imaging technique widely employed to examine the internal structures and materials of complex objects, offering crucial insights for conservation and restoration efforts. However, its application for direct material identification in cultural heritage contexts is partially explored. In this work, the CT imaging approach based on the Hounsfield Units (HU) scale—traditionally used in medical radiology and directly correlated with the linear attenuation coefficient (µ) and material density (kg/m³) were employed to analyze the wooden support of a seventeenth-century panel painting from the National Academy of San Luca Gallery in Rome and the wooden support of an Egyptian coffin from the collection of the Vatican Museums. HU values obtained from the case studies were quantitatively compared with those from reference wood samples scanned under identical conditions, enabling reasonably accurate material characterization. The obtained HU values allowed for a confident, non-invasive identification of wood species present in the samples highlighting the diagnostic value of HU mapping in heritage applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 288-298"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462662","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.007
María Higueras , Iván Díaz , Ruth Chércoles , Marta Pérez-Estébanez , Sonia Santos , Emilio Cano , Margarita San Andrés
<div><div>In the recent years, Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies ―popularly known as 3D printing― have been introduced in different areas of daily life and nowadays a wide variety of polymeric printing materials are available. The term AM comprises a huge range of fabrication processes mainly characterized by the method employed during the transformation of the raw materials. Amongst them, Extrusion-based technologies, and specifically Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) have become very popular, affordable and widespread for many applications.</div><div>Three-dimensional printing has demonstrated a relevant potential to contribute to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, as well as to artistic production. Some applications of AM in the conservation landscape are the design of display systems, the creation of storage structures and the reconstruction of missing parts. Thus, the interaction of new AM materials introduced in the proximity of cultural assets in a closed space could represent a risk of damage when gaseous pollutants are emitted from the printing material.</div><div>In this context, a literature review was conducted, and the Oddy test was performed to assess a selection of 9 FDM PLA materials, evaluating their long-term behaviour in terms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions and their suitability for use in heritage conservation and artistic production. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a widespread polymer used for FDM due to its cost and the rise of the social awareness concerning the relevance of using waste-recycling and biodegradable materials. This assay was performed both before and after subjecting the 3D printed samples to accelerated ageing in a Xenon-Arc chamber during 1080 h of exposure with 60 W/m<sup>2</sup> irradiance through a window glass filter, temperature of 60 °C and 10 % relative humidity. After the Oddy test, the FDM materials were evaluated, and their recommendation of use was classified based on the corrosion observed on the metallic coupons. Simultaneously, crystalline efflorescences emerged from the 3D printed samples exposed to the Oddy Test, motivating their observation through optical microscopy. Additionally, for the chemical characterization, inorganic fillers of the PLA filaments were analysed with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscope attached to a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDX).</div><div>The results allowed the classification of PLA filaments for their permanent or temporary use in an environment with cultural assets and reject those that released harmful pollutants. It is remarkable the effect of the additives and fillers when comparing the results in terms of corrosive VOC emissions of different composite PLA materials. The lower corrosion of the metals was promoted by PLA containing CaCO<sub>3</sub> fillers, while other PLA combinations were completely discarded. Nonetheless, crystalline efflorescences emerged from 3D printed samples containing mineral fillers. It is
{"title":"The Oddy test applied to the study of fused deposition modelling additive manufacturing materials","authors":"María Higueras , Iván Díaz , Ruth Chércoles , Marta Pérez-Estébanez , Sonia Santos , Emilio Cano , Margarita San Andrés","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the recent years, Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies ―popularly known as 3D printing― have been introduced in different areas of daily life and nowadays a wide variety of polymeric printing materials are available. The term AM comprises a huge range of fabrication processes mainly characterized by the method employed during the transformation of the raw materials. Amongst them, Extrusion-based technologies, and specifically Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) have become very popular, affordable and widespread for many applications.</div><div>Three-dimensional printing has demonstrated a relevant potential to contribute to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, as well as to artistic production. Some applications of AM in the conservation landscape are the design of display systems, the creation of storage structures and the reconstruction of missing parts. Thus, the interaction of new AM materials introduced in the proximity of cultural assets in a closed space could represent a risk of damage when gaseous pollutants are emitted from the printing material.</div><div>In this context, a literature review was conducted, and the Oddy test was performed to assess a selection of 9 FDM PLA materials, evaluating their long-term behaviour in terms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions and their suitability for use in heritage conservation and artistic production. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a widespread polymer used for FDM due to its cost and the rise of the social awareness concerning the relevance of using waste-recycling and biodegradable materials. This assay was performed both before and after subjecting the 3D printed samples to accelerated ageing in a Xenon-Arc chamber during 1080 h of exposure with 60 W/m<sup>2</sup> irradiance through a window glass filter, temperature of 60 °C and 10 % relative humidity. After the Oddy test, the FDM materials were evaluated, and their recommendation of use was classified based on the corrosion observed on the metallic coupons. Simultaneously, crystalline efflorescences emerged from the 3D printed samples exposed to the Oddy Test, motivating their observation through optical microscopy. Additionally, for the chemical characterization, inorganic fillers of the PLA filaments were analysed with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscope attached to a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDX).</div><div>The results allowed the classification of PLA filaments for their permanent or temporary use in an environment with cultural assets and reject those that released harmful pollutants. It is remarkable the effect of the additives and fillers when comparing the results in terms of corrosive VOC emissions of different composite PLA materials. The lower corrosion of the metals was promoted by PLA containing CaCO<sub>3</sub> fillers, while other PLA combinations were completely discarded. Nonetheless, crystalline efflorescences emerged from 3D printed samples containing mineral fillers. It is ","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 227-238"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416510","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}
Cultural heritage objects reflect the social memory of humanity, making their protection essential. Fungal colonization is widely acknowledged as a principal agent of deterioration in historical manuscripts (HMs). However, standardized sampling and analysis protocols that integrate both culture-based and culture-independent approaches to accurately reflect in situ fungal diversity, along with the identification of the most suitable culture media, have not yet been comprehensively established. This persistent knowledge gap not only highlights the limited understanding of fungal-induced biodegradation in historical manuscripts but also critically hampers the development of targeted, evidence-based preventive measures for priceless collections that already exhibit fungal staining and cellulose degradation. This study aimed to (i) characterize the total fungal community in deteriorated HMs found in the Süleymaniye Manuscript Library using both culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches, (ii) assess the effect of different sampling methods and media selection on the identification of fungal biota, and (iii) screen for extracellular enzymes associated with HMs deterioration. In essence, this research moves beyond descriptive fungal inventories to deliver a methodological blueprint for future assessments, enabling the development of more accurate, microbiologically informed conservation strategies for invaluable historical manuscript collections by highlighting the critical impact of sampling and media choices on biodiversity data. To achieve the objectives, 10 deteriorated HMs were sampled by swab (S) and membrane filter methods. Fungal community was analyzed by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The fungal load in HMs was determined using both dichloran glycerol 18 (DG18) and malt extract agar media, and fungi were isolated. All isolates were screened for producing cellulase, amylase, and gelatinase, and also identified by molecular methods. In both DGGE and culture-dependent analyses of HMs, Aspergillus was the predominant genus, with A. halophilicus most frequently detected by DGGE and A. versicolor predominantly identified through culture-dependent methods. The S method proved more effective in recovering fungal communities. Moreover, combining different media enhanced the detection of fungal diversity. However, fungal counts in HMs were more clearly determined on DG18. The K20 isolate closely related to Aspergillus sp. demonstrated notable enzymatic activity, exhibiting the highest enzymatic index values for both cellulase and gelatinase. Concurrently, another isolate (K19), identified as closely related to A. versicolor, displayed the highest amylase activity among those tested. These findings collectively suggest that the genus Aspergillus may play a significant role in the biodeterioration and/or the acceleration of biodeterioration in HMs.
{"title":"Fungal composition in deteriorated historical manuscripts: A comparative study of sampling and media factors using molecular and cultural approaches","authors":"Duygu Kadaifciler , Tuğçe Tüccar , Yasemin Ünlü-Yokuş , Esra Ilhan-Sungur","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cultural heritage objects reflect the social memory of humanity, making their protection essential. Fungal colonization is widely acknowledged as a principal agent of deterioration in historical manuscripts (HMs). However, standardized sampling and analysis protocols that integrate both culture-based and culture-independent approaches to accurately reflect in situ fungal diversity, along with the identification of the most suitable culture media, have not yet been comprehensively established. This persistent knowledge gap not only highlights the limited understanding of fungal-induced biodegradation in historical manuscripts but also critically hampers the development of targeted, evidence-based preventive measures for priceless collections that already exhibit fungal staining and cellulose degradation. This study aimed to (i) characterize the total fungal community in deteriorated HMs found in the Süleymaniye Manuscript Library using both culture-independent and culture-dependent approaches, (ii) assess the effect of different sampling methods and media selection on the identification of fungal biota, and (iii) screen for extracellular enzymes associated with HMs deterioration. In essence, this research moves beyond descriptive fungal inventories to deliver a methodological blueprint for future assessments, enabling the development of more accurate, microbiologically informed conservation strategies for invaluable historical manuscript collections by highlighting the critical impact of sampling and media choices on biodiversity data. To achieve the objectives, 10 deteriorated HMs were sampled by swab (S) and membrane filter methods. Fungal community was analyzed by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The fungal load in HMs was determined using both dichloran glycerol 18 (DG18) and malt extract agar media, and fungi were isolated. All isolates were screened for producing cellulase, amylase, and gelatinase, and also identified by molecular methods. In both DGGE and culture-dependent analyses of HMs, <em>Aspergillus</em> was the predominant genus, with <em>A. halophilicus</em> most frequently detected by DGGE and <em>A. versicolor</em> predominantly identified through culture-dependent methods. The S method proved more effective in recovering fungal communities. Moreover, combining different media enhanced the detection of fungal diversity. However, fungal counts in HMs were more clearly determined on DG18. The K20 isolate closely related to <em>Aspergillus</em> sp. demonstrated notable enzymatic activity, exhibiting the highest enzymatic index values for both cellulase and gelatinase. Concurrently, another isolate (K19), identified as closely related to <em>A. versicolor</em>, displayed the highest amylase activity among those tested. These findings collectively suggest that the genus <em>Aspergillus</em> may play a significant role in the biodeterioration and/or the acceleration of biodeterioration in HMs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 307-316"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462660","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.004
J. Sanjurjo-Sánchez , N. Guasch-Ferré , A. Pitarch Martí , M. Badia , J. Menchon , L.I. Casas , J.L. Prada
The Les Ferreres bridge is a Roman aqueduct located in the municipality of Tarragona, Spain. It was constructed to supply water from the Francolí River to the ancient city of Tarraco. This aqueduct stands out as one of the most monumental and well-preserved examples from Roman times, and was listed as a UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 2000. From 2010 to 2015, a comprehensive restoration project was undertaken, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and the Tarragona City Council. The initiative involved conservation issues, cleaning of the monument, investigating the origin of the raw materials used to build it, and determining the construction age. The characterisation of the mortars allowed us to know, for the first time, that several types of mortars were used during the construction of the bridge, clearly different to other ones used in historical repairs. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of these mortars provides key information for the use of optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) in their dating, to provide insights into the construction phases and historical development of the aqueduct. Despite the heterogeneity of the mortar components, which added complexity to the dating process, the obtained OSL ages aligns with the historical and archaeological studies, providing new data about the chronology with unknown repairs during the Late Roman period.
{"title":"New insights into the chronology of the Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Tarragona, Spain) by combining petrographic analyses and OSL dating on lime mortars","authors":"J. Sanjurjo-Sánchez , N. Guasch-Ferré , A. Pitarch Martí , M. Badia , J. Menchon , L.I. Casas , J.L. Prada","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>Les Ferreres</em> bridge is a Roman aqueduct located in the municipality of Tarragona, Spain. It was constructed to supply water from the Francolí River to the ancient city of Tarraco. This aqueduct stands out as one of the most monumental and well-preserved examples from Roman times, and was listed as a UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 2000. From 2010 to 2015, a comprehensive restoration project was undertaken, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and the Tarragona City Council. The initiative involved conservation issues, cleaning of the monument, investigating the origin of the raw materials used to build it, and determining the construction age. The characterisation of the mortars allowed us to know, for the first time, that several types of mortars were used during the construction of the bridge, clearly different to other ones used in historical repairs. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of these mortars provides key information for the use of optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) in their dating, to provide insights into the construction phases and historical development of the aqueduct. Despite the heterogeneity of the mortar components, which added complexity to the dating process, the obtained OSL ages aligns with the historical and archaeological studies, providing new data about the chronology with unknown repairs during the Late Roman period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 327-337"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462663","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 : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.013
Astrid Harth , Bert George
Across the globe, built heritage is being reused to serve specific policy goals of politicians. Such goals can include more efficiency, reusing built heritage to generate more income or reduce costs. They can also involve urban revitalization, reusing built heritage as community meeting centers for example. Noteworthy, decisions to reuse are not without controversy and have resulted in strong opposition from citizens and other societal actors. Within a political context, reusing historic buildings often serves different goals, which go beyond reasons of heritage preservation and protection. But which values drive politicians to make the decision to reuse built heritage? Are they influenced by economic, democratic or historical values? To answer this question, this paper engages in a survey experiment with 682 local politicians from Flanders (i.e. the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium). In the experiment, a scenario is described where the local politician’s municipality is considering a potential reusing of a historic event hall as a movie theater (drawing from a real-world example).
Different valuation tools are linked to the scenario, which measure economic, democratic or historical values. Specifically, politicians are randomly assigned to one of seven groups: a control group which receives general information about the reuse case, and six treatment groups which receive the same information as the control group but the results of valuation tools are added: a cost-benefit analysis (economic value) supports or rejects the decision to reuse, a citizen survey (democratic value) supports or rejects the decision to reuse, or a consultation of academic heritage experts (historical value) supports or rejects the decision to reuse. Afterwards, all groups are asked to indicate the extent to which they feel the built heritage should be reused. A range of balance, manipulation and attention checks are also included, and the experimental design was pre-registered and ethically approved.
Results indicate that democratic values outweigh economic and historical ones, seemingly supporting the important role of citizens’ opinions in driving political behavior, compared to the role of more economic or scientific information. In line with behavioral economics and especially prospect theory, we also find that economic values only matter when they are negative – indicating a potential loss aversion and negativity bias among local politicians. These findings support an experimental and behavioral approach to cultural heritage and demonstrate the added value of survey experiments to elicit values preferences and causal mechanisms related to heritage decision-making by politicians and other stakeholders.
{"title":"Understanding politicians’ attitudes to reusing built heritage: An experimental and behavioral approach","authors":"Astrid Harth , Bert George","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Across the globe, built heritage is being reused to serve specific policy goals of politicians. Such goals can include more efficiency, reusing built heritage to generate more income or reduce costs. They can also involve urban revitalization, reusing built heritage as community meeting centers for example. Noteworthy, decisions to reuse are not without controversy and have resulted in strong opposition from citizens and other societal actors. Within a political context, reusing historic buildings often serves different goals, which go beyond reasons of heritage preservation and protection. But which values drive politicians to make the decision to reuse built heritage? Are they influenced by economic, democratic or historical values? To answer this question, this paper engages in a survey experiment with 682 local politicians from Flanders (i.e. the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium). In the experiment, a scenario is described where the local politician’s municipality is considering a potential reusing of a historic event hall as a movie theater (drawing from a real-world example).</div><div>Different valuation tools are linked to the scenario, which measure economic, democratic or historical values. Specifically, politicians are randomly assigned to one of seven groups: a control group which receives general information about the reuse case, and six treatment groups which receive the same information as the control group but the results of valuation tools are added: a cost-benefit analysis (<em>economic value</em>) supports or rejects the decision to reuse, a citizen survey (<em>democratic value</em>) supports or rejects the decision to reuse, or a consultation of academic heritage experts (<em>historical value</em>) supports or rejects the decision to reuse. Afterwards, all groups are asked to indicate the extent to which they feel the built heritage should be reused. A range of balance, manipulation and attention checks are also included, and the experimental design was pre-registered and ethically approved.</div><div>Results indicate that democratic values outweigh economic and historical ones, seemingly supporting the important role of citizens’ opinions in driving political behavior, compared to the role of more economic or scientific information. In line with behavioral economics and especially prospect theory, we also find that economic values only matter when they are negative – indicating a potential loss aversion and negativity bias among local politicians. These findings support an experimental and behavioral approach to cultural heritage and demonstrate the added value of survey experiments to elicit values preferences and causal mechanisms related to heritage decision-making by politicians and other stakeholders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 299-306"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145462664","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 : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.006
Rocco Murro
The article aims to identify innovative management models for the valorization of cultural heritage and to assess their sustainability by applying a multidimensional evaluation methodology. The study has been structured as follows: after an introductory overview, in which the current needs and challenges of cultural heritage valorization have been outlined, the key-elements of innovative management models for cultural heritage (Cultural Networks and Districts) and multidimensional evaluation approaches have been illustrated; then, the application of the innovative management models for a set of cultural properties, located in the Roman Campagna, have been proposed and the assessment of their sustainability has been developed; finally, based on the results obtained, concluding remarks have been provided. The assessment showed a preference for Cultural Districts, as they represent a more sustainable management model, especially from an economic and financial point of view, thanks to their ability to integrate different functions and to promote collaborations with the productive sectors of the local reality. The multidimensional assessment made it possible to comprehensively evaluate the sustainability of the hypothesised scenarios, highlighting the effects produced on the urban context. This study can represent a starting point to the definition and implementation of innovative management models for cultural heritage in Italy.
{"title":"Assessing the sustainability of valorization policies for cultural heritage: A multidimensional approach","authors":"Rocco Murro","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The article aims to identify innovative management models for the valorization of cultural heritage and to assess their sustainability by applying a multidimensional evaluation methodology. The study has been structured as follows: after an introductory overview, in which the current needs and challenges of cultural heritage valorization have been outlined, the key-elements of innovative management models for cultural heritage (Cultural Networks and Districts) and multidimensional evaluation approaches have been illustrated; then, the application of the innovative management models for a set of cultural properties, located in the <em>Roman Campagna,</em> have been proposed and the assessment of their sustainability has been developed; finally, based on the results obtained, concluding remarks have been provided. The assessment showed a preference for Cultural Districts, as they represent a more sustainable management model, especially from an economic and financial point of view, thanks to their ability to integrate different functions and to promote collaborations with the productive sectors of the local reality. The multidimensional assessment made it possible to comprehensively evaluate the sustainability of the hypothesised scenarios, highlighting the effects produced on the urban context. This study can represent a starting point to the definition and implementation of innovative management models for cultural heritage in Italy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 195-203"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358932","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}
In the built heritage field, the lack of comprehensive systems that centralize knowledge about ancient materials and construction techniques often results in a limited understanding of building components, leading to uncontrolled interventions, and restoration errors. In the Algerian context, a Digital Materials Platform, TARMEEM (The Algerian heRitage Materials knowlEdge systEM), was developed as the first research tool of its kind in the country, designed to meet the specific needs of the Algeria’s heritage. This paper presents TARMEEM’s organizational approach, which offers a systematic structure for its data and content. Five primary search components, along with their respective sub-components, have been identified to allow for in-depth exploration and efficient access to material-related information. The paper also details the platform’s design methodology and architectural framework. Furthermore, it discusses the platform’s implementation and exploitation, highlighting its potential and various functionalities. TARMEEM is envisioned as a foundational tool to support future efforts in conservation and restoration.
{"title":"Organizational approach for a digital materials platform applied to Algeria's built heritage","authors":"Sara Allaouchiche , Sabrina Kacher , Selma Khouri , Houda Oufaida , Yassmin Bachikh , Izdihar Belmrabet","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the built heritage field, the lack of comprehensive systems that centralize knowledge about ancient materials and construction techniques often results in a limited understanding of building components, leading to uncontrolled interventions, and restoration errors. In the Algerian context, a Digital Materials Platform, TARMEEM (<strong>T</strong>he <strong>A</strong>lgerian he<strong>R</strong>itage <strong>M</strong>aterials knowl<strong>E</strong>dge syst<strong>EM</strong>), was developed as the first research tool of its kind in the country, designed to meet the specific needs of the Algeria’s heritage. This paper presents TARMEEM’s organizational approach, which offers a systematic structure for its data and content. Five primary search components, along with their respective sub-components, have been identified to allow for in-depth exploration and efficient access to material-related information. The paper also details the platform’s design methodology and architectural framework. Furthermore, it discusses the platform’s implementation and exploitation, highlighting its potential and various functionalities. TARMEEM is envisioned as a foundational tool to support future efforts in conservation and restoration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 204-217"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358931","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 : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.09.009
Jiang Guo , Changlei Yu , Hongying Zhang , Kelin Yang , Yuan Fang , Zhanhu Guo , Linyan Ma , Peng Tian , Jianfeng Zhu , Wenling Wu , Yi Liu , Sefei Yang
Paper relics are of great significance to the progress of human civilization. It is crucial to develop multifunctional materials to protect these paper relics. In this work, the superhydrophobic and transparent multifunctional coating based on stearic acid modified silica (SiO2) was successfully applied for paper relics conservation via a facile spraying approach. The water contact angle (WCA) of paper relics with multifunctional coating can reach 159.7° exhibiting excellent self-cleaning and weather resistance performance. Moreover, after various aging treatments including dry heat aging, damp heat aging, and ultraviolet aging, the modified paper relics still maintained superhydrophobic performance indicating the excellent stability of the multifunctional coating. Critically, the multifunctional coating did not affect the color of paper relics, the color difference is lower than 1.5. Meanwhile, the multifunctional coating can be easily removed by using anhydrous ethanol without affecting the original morphology of the paper relics. This removable characteristic has been successfully validated on Song Dynasty paper relics, demonstrating this coating is in full compliance with the cultural relics fundamental conservation principles of reversibility, minimal intervention, and authenticity. This work provides an innovative conservation strategy for cultural heritage preservation.
{"title":"Superhydrophobic and transparent multifunctional coating based on stearic acid modified silica for paper relics conservation","authors":"Jiang Guo , Changlei Yu , Hongying Zhang , Kelin Yang , Yuan Fang , Zhanhu Guo , Linyan Ma , Peng Tian , Jianfeng Zhu , Wenling Wu , Yi Liu , Sefei Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.09.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Paper relics are of great significance to the progress of human civilization. It is crucial to develop multifunctional materials to protect these paper relics. In this work, the superhydrophobic and transparent multifunctional coating based on stearic acid modified silica (SiO<sub>2</sub>) was successfully applied for paper relics conservation via a facile spraying approach. The water contact angle (WCA) of paper relics with multifunctional coating can reach 159.7° exhibiting excellent self-cleaning and weather resistance performance. Moreover, after various aging treatments including dry heat aging, damp heat aging, and ultraviolet aging, the modified paper relics still maintained superhydrophobic performance indicating the excellent stability of the multifunctional coating. Critically, the multifunctional coating did not affect the color of paper relics, the color difference is lower than 1.5. Meanwhile, the multifunctional coating can be easily removed by using anhydrous ethanol without affecting the original morphology of the paper relics. This removable characteristic has been successfully validated on Song Dynasty paper relics, demonstrating this coating is in full compliance with the cultural relics fundamental conservation principles of reversibility, minimal intervention, and authenticity. This work provides an innovative conservation strategy for cultural heritage preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"76 ","pages":"Pages 184-194"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267592","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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