Heritage, Volume 8, Issue 12 (December 2025) – 54 articles

While urban historic areas are most vulnerable to disasters, they offer insights into leveraging their features to mitigate risk. This study analyzes scientific approaches to evacuation simulations to assess the tolerance of historic areas. Using a heritage-led disaster risk reduction approach, this study uses a heritage site as a case study for evacuation. This study uses a GIS-based methodology to define various blockage risks, categorizing them as no-obstruction, rubble-obstruction, on-street vehicle obstruction, and combined obstruction. The input parameters were transferred from a GIS to a simulation application, with combined obstruction representing the worst-case scenario. No-obstruction served as a baseline for measuring historic area vulnerability. Statistical analysis evaluated time usage and the number of evacuees, while GIS identified vulnerable places and street congestion. Obstructions significantly increase evacuation risks, with combined obstructions posing a 3.8 times higher risk than the no obstruction scenario (2638 s compared to 683 s). Vehicle obstruction causes a vulnerability of 1404 s, while building collapse-related rubble obstruction causes a vulnerability of 1073.1 s, despite creating dead-end streets. The strategy of reinventing heritage sites as temporary evacuation sites appears viable. This approach can support evacuees during and after disaster responses and expand options for ensuring urban heritage resilience. Full article

This study presents the e[kent-im] model, a map-based crowdsourcing initiative that digitizes and safeguards urban memory and cultural heritage through community participation and digital tools. The model facilitates the collection, archiving, and dissemination of urban memories by fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer and encouraging civic engagement in heritage preservation. Implemented in the historical center of Kütahya/Türkiye, the project gathered 150 memories and stories from 12 senior participants aged 50–85, which were linked to 303 historical visuals sourced from personal archives. These materials were integrated into a custom-designed web and mobile interface (Mapotic Pro) enriched with metadata categories such as type, period, and location, enabling users to filter and navigate content effectively and watch the videos enriched with participant narratives. A digital city archive matrix was also developed to systematically organize the collected data and support the web-based platform. To assess the platform’s effectiveness, a pilot study with 15 young participants aged 18–28 was conducted. During a self-guided city tour, participants engaged with historical content on the platform and provided feedback through pre- and post-test evaluations. Results indicated heightened awareness of and interest in cultural heritage, demonstrating the model’s potential as both an interactive archive and a tool facilitating intergenerational heritage awareness. Overall, this study highlights the model’s adaptability, scalability, and capacity to bridge generational and technological divides. Full article

The environmental sustainability of cleaning materials used in heritage conservation remains poorly quantified despite growing attention to the replacement of hazardous petroleum-based solvents with bio-based alternatives. This study applies a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCIA) to compare conventional solvents with innovative bio-based formulations, including Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs), Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), and aqueous or organogel systems used for cleaning painted surfaces. Following ISO 14040/14044 standards and using the Ecoinvent v3.8 database with the EF 3.1 impact method, three functional units were adopted to reflect material and system-level scales. Results demonstrate that water-rich systems, such as agar gels and emulsified organogels, yield significantly lower climate and toxicity impacts (up to 85–90% reduction) compared with petroleum-based benchmarks, while FAME and DES exhibit outcomes highly dependent on allocation rules and baseline datasets. When including application materials, cotton wipes dominate total environmental burdens, emphasizing that system design outweighs solvent substitution in improving sustainability. The study provides reproducible data and methodological insights for integrating LCIA into conservation decision-making, contributing to the transition toward evidence-based and environmentally responsible heritage practices. Full article

This study is part of a broader conservation and restoration project of the 17th-century statue “Santissimo Salvatore” attributed to the Bolognese sculptor Gabriele Brunelli (1615–1682). This sculpture was traditionally classified as a marble statue, i.e., primarily composed of calcium carbonate. However, the careful diagnostic analyses conducted during the present work of restoration revealed that, instead, the sculpture is made of gypsum alabaster, a material predominantly composed of calcium sulphate hydrate (CaSO₄·2H₂O). In the present research, a multi-analytical investigation was carried out using X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Field Emission Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-ESEM) with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and confocal Raman microspectrometry. Here, we report detailed and updated analytical data of the material constituting the “Santissimo Salvatore” statue by Gabriele Brunelli. These data were found extremely useful to plan and accomplish the restoration work in detail: (i) the suitable conservation project of the artwork, (ii) the reassessment of the knowledge on the artist’s sculptural production, and (iii) gaining more information about the material used in the 17th-century Bolognese sculptural context. Full article

Produced from the parenchymatous tissue of the stem pith of Tetrapanax papyrifer, the material known as pith paper served as a distinctive support medium for Chinese export paintings during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is commonly found in collections worldwide. Due to its inherently fragile structure, conservation interventions are often necessary. However, the material’s chemical composition and deterioration mechanisms remain poorly understood, which not only complicates treatment decisions but also undermines preventive conservation efforts. This study presents a systematic investigation into the anatomical structure and ageing behaviour of pith paper using a multi-analytical approach. Optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed a preserved honeycomb-like cellular architecture composed of thin-walled, entirely of non-lignified parenchyma cells, which contributes to the material’s mechanical fragility. Artificial ageing experiments showed a significant loss of flexibility, increased yellowing, and a decline in pH with ageing time. Infrared spectroscopy identified molecular changes consistent with cellulose chain scission, with decreases in O–H and C–O–C absorptions revealing acid-hydrolysis-driven breakdown, while colourimetry pointed to the formation of chromophoric degradation products. These findings offer a foundational understanding of pith paper’s vulnerabilities and provide essential insights for the development of informed conservation and storage strategies. Full article

This study proposes a methodological approach to reinterpret the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the built heritage of the Island of Mozambique, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991 under criteria IV and VI. In view of emerging challenges that threaten the heritage-making process—namely, progressive interventions in the built fabric—a methodology of interrelated reading is presented, grounded in a critical and participatory perspective centered on the local community. This methodological structure is operationalized through an interrelated reading model that combines architectural, constructive and intangible layers within a multi-scalar analytical matrix. This approach is based on three interdependent dimensions: (i) material and immaterial; (ii) symbolic and identity-related; and (iii) functional and sustainable. The theoretical model developed, supported by the participation of multiple stakeholders, demonstrates that small adaptations—compatible with cultural values and local actors’ interpretations—can strengthen the recognition of the value of built heritage and foster sustainable human development. Given the existing typological diversity, the study concludes that it is essential to adapt the model of OUV reinterpretation to each specific context, acknowledging the plurality of possible solutions and promoting a balanced integration of material and immaterial values without compromising existing cultural significance. Full article

The study aims to reconstruct the life history of an individual whose skeleton was recovered during the excavation of the late medieval Pauline monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Moslavina Mountain, Croatia. The monastery was one of the most important ecclesiastical centres in continental Croatia during the 14th/15th centuries CE and was abandoned between 1520 and 1544 due to fear of imminent Ottoman attacks. The inscription and coat of arms on the tombstone of a tomb located in the chancel, next to the main altar, indicate that the skeleton belongs to Sofia Kaštelančić née di Prata (di Pordenone), a member of Croatian late medieval high-ranking nobility. We conducted a conventional bioarchaeological study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis, paleoradiological imaging (CT/CBCT scanning), and three-dimensional facial reconstruction. The skeleton belongs to a middle-aged woman between 40 and 50 years old with an estimated stature of about 161 cm. Numerous pathological changes, such as ante mortem tooth loss, caries, abscess, linear enamel hypoplasia, dysodontiasis, and osteophytosis were observed, with the most notable pathology being the fracture of the right ankle, a fact also confirmed by CT scanning. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values are consistent with a terrestrial diet based on C₃ plants with no marine input, and the consumption of large quantities of animal-based proteins. Three-dimensional facial reconstruction made it possible for the first time in over 500 years to obtain the approximate physical appearance of the individual. The presented results are consistent with the hypothesis that the skeleton probably belongs to Sofia Kaštelančić. Nevertheless, none of the observed osteological traits are individually or collectively diagnostic of Sofia, so, in the absence of individualising evidence, the identification remains hypothetical rather than demonstrative. Full article

Oxus “Scarface”, a small statuette from the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex culture (Middle Bronze Age of Central Asia) preserved at the Metropolitan Museum (New York), wears a meteoritic iron headband like a comparable specimen preserved in Le Louvre Museum (Paris), as shown by XRF analyses of the headband. This implement could be crucial for the interpretation of these elusive figures. It could be the symbolic material for the retention of water by these monstrous creatures of the underworld, retainers of spring water, as is recorded in the Rig Veda, a myth in agreement with the problematics of agriculture in a semi-arid context. Accordingly, the scars across their faces are the deadly “split across the head” through which the water was released. The convergence of this culture of elamitic affinity with an Indo-Aryan myth suggests some hybridization between the two cultures. Full article

The dynamic characterization of historical buildings located in a complex geological and seismological context is essential to assess seismic vulnerability and to guide conservation strategies. This study presents a non-invasive, ambient vibration-based, investigation of the Norman Castle of Aci Castello (Sicily, Italy), applying Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), Horizontal to Horizontal Spectral Ratio (HHSR), and Random Decrement Method (RDM) to evaluate the structure’s dynamic behavior and potential Soil–Structure Interaction (SSI) effects. The fundamental site frequency, estimated within a broad plateau in the range 2.05–2.70 Hz, does not overlap with the structural frequencies of the castle, which range approximately from 6.30 Hz to 9.00 Hz in the N–S structural direction and from 3.50 Hz to 8.50 Hz in the E–W direction, indicating absence of global SSI resonance. However, the structure exhibits a complex multimodal response, with direction-dependent behavior evident both in spectral peaks and in damping ratios, ranging from 2.10–7.73% along N–S and 0.90–5.84% along E–W. These behaviors can be interpreted as possibly linked to structural complexity and the interaction with the fractured volcanic substrate, characterized by shallow cavities, as well as to the material degradation of the masonry. In particular, the localized presence of subsurface voids may induce a perturbation of the low-frequency ambient vibration wavefield (e.g., microseisms), producing a localized increase in spectral amplitude observed at Level I. The analysis indicates the absence of global SSI resonance due to the lack of overlap between site and structural fundamental frequencies, while significant local SSI effects, mainly related to cavity-induced wavefield perturbation, are observed and may represent a potential vulnerability factor. These findings highlight the relevance of vibration-based diagnostics for heritage vulnerability assessment and conservation strategies. Full article

Over the past few decades, the focus on the geographic origin of cacao has shifted from Mesoamerica to the Upper Amazon region of Ecuador. Recent research clarifies the trajectory of cacao, tracing its circulation from this Amazonian origin area to the Ecuadorian coast and subsequently to Mesoamerica. However, the presence of cacao in the Andean valleys has remained elusive and largely unstudied until now. This paper presents the first evidence of cacao consumption in the Andes region at the beginning of the Integration Period (AD 500–1500) during pre-Hispanic times. Starch granules and theobromine alkaloid were identified in a vessel recovered from a settlement in present-day Quito. The high concentration of theobromine detected allows us to infer that the cacao used most likely originated from Theobroma cacao, although aDNA would be needed to confirm this. Moreover, the vessel contained starch granules from other plants, suggesting the utilization of the vessel for serving various food preparations. This finding allows us to suggest that cacao was not only consumed in the Amazon and coastal regions, but also in areas such as the current territory of Quito where cacao was not locally cultivated. The shape of the vessel in which the residue was found further suggests that the cacao was consumed as a beverage, challenging the previous belief that such practices were primarily confined to Mesoamerica. This study offers new insights into the significance of the cacao bean in pre-Hispanic societies and demonstrates how the application of various chemical methods can enhance our comprehension of historical occurrences. Full article

The digital transformation of cultural heritage has expanded the availability of data while revealing structural forms of incompleteness. This study investigates how missing data are conceptualised in the scientific and design literature on digital cultural heritage and how Advanced Design can transform absence into a resource. The research combines a critical thematic review of peer-reviewed publications from 2010 to 2025 with Research through Design practices and case studies developed within the PNRR CHANGES project. The analysis identifies three main configurations of absence: processual gaps arising along the data lifecycle, epistemic exclusions embedded in standards and knowledge models, and projectual shortcomings related to governance and participation. Based on these findings, a design taxonomy and an operational model are proposed, linking each form of absence to specific levers of intervention, such as transparency of workflows, community-grounded annotation and narration, collaborative metadata writing, and long-term maintenance practices. The results show that Advanced Design provides an infrastructural and reflective framework capable of connecting technical processes, cultural interpretation, and community involvement. The study concludes that incompleteness, rather than a defect, can act as a generative condition for digital heritage, fostering more inclusive, situated, and transformative design practices. Full article

In the context of a study on selected fragments of ancient architecture belonging to a collection of the archaeological museum “Luigi Bernabò Brea” in Lipari (Aeolian Islands, Messina, Italy), we analysed, using the non-destructive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method, dozens of artefacts dating back to the sixth century BCE. The aim was to identify the origin of the raw materials used by craftsmen in the production of ceramic artefacts. The quantitative analyses, based on the composition and trace elements, suggest that the composition material used is consistent with local natural resources, given the presence of kaolinite–clay deposits in the northern part of Lipari. By comparing the ancient fragments with local raw kaolin powders still available today, this study aims to confirm the use of these materials in past ceramic production and decoration. These results support the hypothesis that the investigated fragments were locally manufactured, providing deeper insights into the production techniques of the time and the raw materials of the region. Full article

This study explores how the Digital Dunhuang project transforms the heritage experience and the meaning-making of visitors, marking a shift from material conservation to digital presence. Drawing upon Freeman Tilden’s principles of heritage interpretation, this research examines how digital interpretive practices, including virtual caves, interactive installations, and immersive imaging, facilitate a cultural experience that moves “from the tangible to the rational, and from the rational to the emotional.” By comparing traditional on-site visits with digital encounters, the study investigates differences in visitors’ knowledge acquisition, emotional resonance, and conservation awareness. Employing semi-structured interviews and participant observation, the research involves visitors, curators, and project managers, complemented by on-site observations at the Digital Dunhuang exhibition. Findings reveal that digital interpretation not only enhances the accessibility and democratization of cultural heritage but also redefines the aura and authenticity of heritage in the context of contemporary cultural consumption. Full article

The topic of archaeological apothekes, i.e., storage areas not intended for display and not accessible to the public (depositi in Italian), has only recently received the attention it deserves, for reasons related to the history of research methodology. The archiving of archaeological material poses specific problems compared to other categories of material with which the process is generally associated, such as artistic artefacts. Excavation finds consist mainly (and increasingly) of a mass of anonymous, repetitive pottery fragments, not destined to be accessible to the public. The management of these storage facilities poses two sets of problems linked with its archiving: on one hand, its (digital) documentation; on the other hand, its physical arrangement. Both aspects have often been contemplated, but as separate entities by different specialists (archaeologists, conservators, etc.). An adequate approach requires however both aspects to be considered together, for archaeological material only achieves its full value when its context of origin is secure. Only proper management of digital and physical archives can ensure a full understanding of the historical significance of archaeological material. These challenges also apply to the Archaeological Mission of Phaistos, in Crete, where Italian have been active since 1900. The reorganisation of the warehouses in 2024–2025 provided an opportunity to adequately address both the digital archiving of the material and the layout of the warehouses, tackling at the same time the particularly pressing issue in this case of the reuse of ‘legacy data’, which poses problems of standardization. This led also to a new perspective, using old labels and boxes as metadata to reconstruct the methods of archaeological research. The main results however were the creation of a holistic approach to the management of archaeological material and its (written, graphic, photographic, and topographic) documentation through the adoption and implementation of PyArchInit (version 4.9.5), a plug-in of QGIS (version 3.40.7 Bratislava). Full article

Quantitative data on the colors of early film productions is very scarce but may be useful for preserving these cultural assets and for guiding modern digitization processes. We measured the spectral transmittance of 46 small areas in 13 frames of films from the 1910s and 1920s, which were colored using the same tinting process. From spectral measurements of the light source in an early carbon arc cinema projector, we computed CIELAB color coordinates for these areas and the results were compared with those from two more recent light sources: a Xenon lamp and an ultra-high performance (UHP) lamp. Average color inconstancy values for the 46 samples were 3.5, 7.9, and 7.0 CIELAB units for carbon-Xenon, carbon-UHP and Xenon-UHP changes, respectively, which are color differences above human visual thresholds for observers with normal color vision. Therefore, for accurate color specifications of such films, in addition to the spectral transmittances of frames, we must consider the spectral power distribution of projection lamps. Compared with a recent surface object-color gamut, the 46 samples were spread across a relatively wide region of color space, excluding CIELAB hue-angles in the range of 270–360 degrees. Full article

Background: A comprehensive temporal analysis of mtDNA haplogroup variation across Lithuanian history remains limited. This study investigates the mtDNA variation landscape during the Iron Age by comparing newly reported Iron Age individual mtDNA data with the new data from present-day Lithuanians. Methods: Remains of individuals from the Iron Age Lithuania (n = 101) were processed using standard protocols for ancient DNA processing. For the present-day Lithuanians (n = 279), whole mitogenomes were sequenced. Thirty-six polymorphic sites within the Hypervariable Region I were used for haplogroup assignment, phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. Results: Fifteen distinct haplogroups in the Iron Age and the present-day Lithuanians were identified. Haplogroup R0/H remained the most frequent across time. Haplogroups U, T, and N were prominent in the Iron Age. Haplogroups M and D were introduced after the Iron Age. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses revealed greater mtDNA diversity in the present-day Lithuanians. Significant difference in molecular variance was observed during the Iron Age. Barring the Viking period, the Iron Age mtDNA variation matched the present-day Lithuanian and European populations. Conclusions: Our study showed that mtDNA variation over time remained stable with some random fluctuations and gained more diversity in the present-day Lithuanians. Full article

This paper explores what heritage conservation might become when it listens differently—when it opens itself to relational, situated, and community-led practices of care. Beginning with the provocation “Museums? I don’t think this is for us. Museums are far too clever for us,” voiced in the context of an ecomuseum, I interrogate the assumptions that underpin conventional heritage conservation: expert authority, linear temporality, and the desire to stabilize. Drawing on new materialism theories, I question the disciplinary logics that produce heritage as a human centred practice that look at objects as static and conservation as a neutral act. In contrast, I present ecomuseums not as policy model but as conceptual disruption—territories of care that emerge from entanglements of memory and place, becoming, therefore, an active force that are engaged in sustainable practices. In thinking with ecomuseum practices, I consider how conservation would look if shifted from colonial to liberative practices, from control to attention, from fixity to fluidity. I explore conservation as a field of relations—affective and unfinished. Finally, I offer a call for heritage practitioners to reimagine conservation not as the act of keeping things the same, but as an ongoing negotiation with change in a pluriversal world. Full article

The consolidation of mural paintings presents a significant challenge for conservators, as the treatments applied must not only be effective but also preserve the aesthetic qualities of the artwork. Ongoing research focuses on developing new products that are more efficient, durable, and compatible with the physicochemical and aesthetic characteristics of the original materials, thereby addressing the limitations of existing consolidants. This study examines two consolidants for mural painting restoration: Estel 1200^® (C.T.S., Madrid, Spain), a commercially available and widely used ethyl silicate-based product, and Nanorepair UV^® (Patent: ES-2766074-B2, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain), a nanocomposite composed of calcium hydroxide nanoparticles doped with zinc quantum dots. On mortar specimens, prepared according to the Roman fresco technique, the application method for the proposed treatments was optimized. The applicability of the treatments for mural painting conservation was studied by colorimetric measurements and SEM imaging to detect and characterize the formation of surface layers. The effectiveness of the treatments was quantitatively evaluated with tape-peeling cycles. The results show that, although both treatments enhance the consolidation state of mural paintings, Nanorepair UV^® proved to be a more effective consolidant, without altering the aesthetic or physicochemical properties of the artwork. Additionally, this treatment allows for straightforward evaluation of its penetration and enables distinction between treated and untreated areas through the fluorescence of the zinc oxide quantum dots. Full article

Fotis Kontoglou (1895–1965) was a prominent Greek painter and writer, known primarily for revitalizing byzantine painting in the 20th century and being one of the first artist-conservators in Greece active at this period. The current study represents the first systematic attempt to examine seven (7) icons (i.e., ecclesiastical panel paintings) attributed to Kontoglou, currently located in two famous monasteries in Laconia, Greece. The research utilized exclusively non-destructive analytical techniques, namely digital optical microscopy, UV-induced visible fluorescence photography (UVIVF), and portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) spectroscopy, to identify the materials—particularly pigments—employed in the corresponding paintings. The results are interpreted under the light of Kontoglou’s own writings on painting, in particular his “Ekphrasis” painting manual. Preliminary assessments of surface morphology and state of preservation were achieved through macroscopic and microscopic probing, as well as through inspection under ultraviolet light, while further analysis was performed using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The results confirm the employment of both traditional and modern synthetic inorganic components, while comparisons with the pigments listed in Kontoglou’s “Ekphrasis” painting manual suggest his persistent use of a rather limited palette of pigments. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the paintings were executed in a small period of time (1954–1956), data revealed notable differentiation between the studied icons, which probably indicates procurement of materials from various sources. Given the scarcity of technical investigations of modern (20th century) paintings, this study is relevant and reveals some interesting hints, which may pertain to the trends of the mid-20th century Greek paint market, like, e.g., the rather limited distribution of Ti-white. Additionally, the current findings contribute considerably towards understanding Kontoglou’s artistic methods during a highly creative period and can be utilized to support future conservation efforts. Ultimately, the current preliminary study sheds light on some methodological aspects of the pertinent research and assists towards establishing a detailed protocol for future studies. Full article

Distinguishing peri-mortem trauma from heat-induced trauma is often a challenging aspect of forensic anthropology casework where fire has been used as a means of concealing evidence. This paper aims to explore the extent to which peri-mortem ballistic trauma characteristics are still present after burning and whether they can be distinguished from heat-induced fractures. This research used Sus domesticus femora and ribs that had been manually defleshed and shot with 7.92 × 57 mm Mauser ammunition at a shooting distance of 3 m, 10 m and 20 m. This type of firearm and ammunition were commonly used in a number of conflicts, such as the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The fracture patterns as a result of the ballistic trauma were analysed prior to placing the samples in an electric furnace, where they were heated at a peak temperature of 850 °C for 30 min. Post-burning, each fragment was analysed for ballistic and heat-induced trauma. Following reconstruction, entry and exit wound morphology and radiating fractures remained, with entry wounds being more clearly defined than exit wounds. Ballistic trauma characteristics such as bevelling were still apparent after burning. The results of this study reveal that pre-existing ballistic trauma is still identifiable after bones have been exposed to heat and it is possible to reconstruct the bones to gain a better interpretation. Full article

The focus of this paper is on the large-format wooden panel painting Maundy Thursday Altarpiece from Southern Germany. Its wooden support and paint layer were severely damaged due to high climatic fluctuations, above all dryness. The aim of the research project was to develop a low-risk, conservatively acceptable procedure for controlled in situ humidification. In an interdisciplinary approach, a practical monitoring concept on-site was linked to art technology analyses, surface monitoring, hygrothermal simulations, and climate chamber tests. Based on the results, an individual climate corridor for controlled humidification of the case study was developed with the help of an enclosure and implemented in two gradual moistening phases. The combination of conservative support, measurement technology, and digital assessment allowed a controlled approach to a conservation optimum without other active interventions in the original material. The results highlight the need for object-specific strategies and humidity corridors at the interface between conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainability. A deviation from museum standard recommendations (depending on the guidelines 40–60% rH) shows the special challenges of monument preservation. Full article

The PHEND (Past Has Ears at Notre-Dame) collaborative research project is being carried out by a team of multidisciplinary researchers interested in the acoustic history of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The project involved the creation of seven digital models representing the interior of the monument between 1182 and 2018. To support one of the virtual reconstructions, that of 1868, a technical report was drawn up based on the written and iconographic archives of the restorations carried out between 1845 and 1870 by the architects Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814–1879) and Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus (1807–1857). The archives come mainly from the “Fonds Viollet-le-Duc”, from the work diary of the “Médiathèque du patrimoine et de la photographie” (MPP), and from the archives of the Notre-Dame chapter. In order to select the most relevant data for the digital reconstruction, the research addresses specific questions regarding the cathedral’s materiality, such as structural modifications, restorations, and the choice of materials and furnishings. To understand how the interior of the cathedral was transformed in the 19th century, a detailed inventory of its condition was compiled at two points in time: at the beginning of the restoration in 1848 and following its completion in 1868. In parallel with this work, to provide a graphic representation of the changes that had occurred in each area, comparative illustrations were produced showing the situation before and after restoration. The modifications were then detailed by area: general restoration (vaults, openings, paving), and redevelopment of the choir and the main body of the building (chapels, transept, nave). This research revealed the building’s profound structural changes and the fact that the renovations spared no space. These included mainly modifications to the high windows, a complete redesign of the decorative layout of the choir and chapels, the restoration of all the vaults and paving at different levels, and a complete restoration of the organ. Full article

Phytolith analysis was applied for the first time in Latvian archaeology to investigate plant use at the Abora I settlement, one of the key Late Neolithic sites in the Lubāns Wetland, eastern Latvia. Phytoliths were extracted from sediments, pottery sherds, grinding stones, and human teeth in order to assess evidence for cereal-type grasses and plant processing. A diverse range of phytolith morphotypes was identified, including rondel and bilobate forms commonly associated with grasses of the Triticeae. These morphotypes were most frequently recorded in association with grinding stones and food-related pottery. While previous isotopic and archaeological studies at Abora I indicate a subsistence strategy largely based on fishing, hunting, and gathering, the phytolith evidence points to localised small-scale processing of cereal-type grasses. Taken together, these results indicate that plant exploitation formed part of a mixed, multi-resource economy during the Late Neolithic at Abora I, although differentiation between wild and domesticated grasses remains limited due to taxonomic constraints of phytolith analysis. Full article

Mountain cultural landscapes represent dynamic systems where heritage, policy, and tourism intersect to shape local resilience. This study explores how public incentives and adaptive reuse frameworks can transform traditional settlements into sustainable tourism destinations. Building on an established Conservation–Development model, an additional “Investigation” axis is introduced to empirically link policy intent, investment implementation, and demographic outcomes. Combining archival research, quantitative indicators and spatial analysis, the study examines the impact of successive development laws (1982–2022) on the evolution of heritage hospitality, focusing on small-scale, high-altitude enterprises that integrate cultural preservation with local entrepreneurship. The UNESCO cultural landscape of Zagori, Greece, serves as the empirical context of this analysis. The results reveal that heritage hospitality, driven by policy incentives rather than spontaneous market growth, has formed a micro-network of small-scale hotels, reinforcing both preservation and local resilience. Municipal-level patterns indicate that population decline was mitigated where heritage hospitality coexisted with diversified tourism infrastructure. Conversely, overconcentration or policy gaps led to stagnation. These findings position Zagori as a model for policy-driven, heritage-based sustainability in mountain cultural landscapes, emphasizing the interplay between legislation, built heritage and population vitality. Full article

This contribution illustrates the research focused on the process of securing and the transportation prior to the conservation treatment of a wooden Crucifix—severely damaged in 2016 during the earthquake of Central Italy—through the application of menthyl lactate. The preparatory and paint layers of the polychrome sculpture are extremely fragile due to decohesion issues and the presence of unstable cleavages and losses linked to severe thermo-hygrometric variations. Many scientific and application tests were carried out in the laboratory and then, later, on a fragment of the Crucifix in order to identify the volatile binder best-suited to this case study: menthyl lactate was selected among six binders as the most appropriate compound due to its effective consolidation, lower sublimation rate, negligible residue, and non-hazardousness. Lastly, a very specific transportation system was designed and realised to move the work, without further loss and damage, from the storage building where it was kept in Spoleto to the conservation department of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence. The volatile binder will continue to be locally applied to allow the mechanical cleaning, in order to remove the thick deposits of debris without damaging the colour. The conservation treatment will be carried out in the future, in parallel with further scientific tests. Full article

The need to evaluate automated approaches arises not from a lack of expertise among historians but from the challenge of scaling, reproducing, and systematizing dress silhouette classification across large digital datasets. Automation is positioned here as a complement to expert knowledge, not a replacement. A dataset of 270 images from four periods—Empire, Romanticism, Victorian, and Art Nouveau—was processed with AI tools for background removal and standardization. Fifteen formal shape indices were calculated, selected through sequential evaluation, and classified using k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, and decision trees. Initial analyses showed accuracy between 9.7% and 40.2%, but with the polynomial kernel in SVM, accuracy improved to 76–81%. Victorian dress silhouettes achieved the highest accuracy, while Empire dress silhouettes were the most difficult to classify. The study adds new empirical data and classification models to the literature, highlighting the methodological contribution of automated dress silhouette analysis to interdisciplinary heritage studies. Future work will expand datasets and incorporate adaptive algorithms, with potential applications in education, digital reconstruction, and fashion design. Full article

The conservation of cultural heritage is highly influenced by environmental factors, including chemical and biological air quality and microclimatic conditions. Understanding their combined effects is essential for developing preventive conservation strategies. This study focuses on the indoor air quality in the King’s Apartment in the Royal Palace of Turin (Italy), a historic building lacking air-conditioning systems, where a multidisciplinary approach was applied to assess the conservation environment. Continuous monitoring of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀), temperature and relative humidity was performed between March 2024 and July 2025 using portable sensors; aerobiological analyses were carried out through active and passive sampling, while volatile compounds were identified via SPME-GC/MS. Pollutants and biological monitoring revealed fluctuations influenced by microclimatic variations and spatial position. Notably, results showed that one room exhibited the highest levels of concern across all monitoring activities, representing the most vulnerable environment. The use of a multidisciplinary approach enabled a comprehensive understanding of the environmental conditions affecting the King’s Apartment, highlighting the relevance of collaboration in heritage science to guide evidence-based preventive conservation strategies. Full article

The 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property remains the cornerstone international instrument governing the restitution of cultural objects in peacetime. This article critically assesses the extent to which the Convention still fulfils its objectives more than five decades after its adoption. Through a legal and analytical examination of its core provisions, national implementation practices and selected judicial decisions, the study identifies several structural weaknesses that limit its effectiveness. These include the use of broad and indeterminate language, the lack of enforcement mechanisms, significant divergences between domestic legal frameworks and persistent challenges relating to provenance, scope, non-retroactivity and the interpretation of good faith. The article further discusses the extent to which States have attempted to mitigate these shortcomings through complementary legislative, judicial and diplomatic measures. It concludes that although the Convention retains important symbolic and normative value, its operational limitations continue to impede the effective recovery of cultural heritage. The article argues that a carefully designed amendment process, coupled with strengthened bilateral or regional cooperation, could enhance the Convention’s future implementation. Full article

Two folding screens by futurist artist Giacomo Balla (1871–1958) in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum (the Netherlands) were investigated: Paravento con linea di velocità (1916–1917) and Paravento (1916/1917–1958). The screens are painted on both sides, the first on four canvases, stretched onto two wooden strainers and framed with painted wooden strips, and the second on wooden panels set into four painted stiles. In the past, damages on Paravento con linea di velocità were restored by conservators, while Paravento was probably first reworked by the artist himself and later restored by conservators. Yellowed varnish and discolored retouches on both screens led to a wish for treatment. The aim of this research was to gain insight into the painting techniques, layer buildup, pigments, binders, and varnishes of the two artworks. This information supported the decision making for treatment, and it broadens the knowledge on the materials used by Balla. Up to now, only a few published studies deal with the technical examination of paintings by this artist. Both folding screens were subjected to technical photography (UV, IR photography, and X-ray) and were examined with portable point X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, samples were taken. Cross-sections were studied with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Loose samples were examined with SEM-EDX, FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). For Paravento con linea di velocità, all pigments and fillers of the painted canvases are compatible with the dating of the screen (1916–1917), but they differ from those on the frame. Here, rutile, in combination with various pigments, among which are blue copper phthalocyanine (PB15) and other synthetic organic pigments, was found. This indicates that the frame has been painted later, likely after the Second World War. The composition of the binders differs as well. Drying oil and pine resin have been used on the canvases, explaining the smooth and glossy appearance and solvent-sensitivity of the paint. On the frame, oil with some alkyd resin was identified. The provenance of the screen before 1972 is not clear, nor when the frame was made and painted and by whom. The results for Paravento indicate that the palettes of the two sides—painted in different styles—are comparable. Mainly inorganic pigments were found, except for the dark red areas, where toluidine red (PR3) is present. pXRF showed high amounts of zinc; cross-sections revealed that zinc white is present in the lower layers. These pigments are compatible with the dating of the screen (1916–1917). In many of the upper paint layers though, except for some green, dark red, and black areas, rutile has been identified. This indicates that these layers were applied later, likely after the Second World War. Since this folding screen was used by the artist and his family until his death in 1958, it seems likely that Balla himself reworked the screen. Full article

Focusing on traditional dwellings in China’s Yangtze River Delta, this study integrates physical environment measurement and computer simulation to quantify the influence of spatial morphological parameters on the daylighting environment and analyze its temporal dynamic adaptation throughout the year. Moreover, by exploring the dynamic interaction between the daylighting environment and the dwellers’ behavior patterns, it elucidates how traditional spaces, through light, guide and support a specific lifestyle, and how this interaction, combined with regional aesthetic concepts and cultural traditions, fosters a unique culture of light. Based on the findings, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) spatially, traditional dwellings adopt a synergetic daylighting mechanism, which is collectively determined by the morphological parameters of the south sky-well, the deployment of north crab eye sky-wells, and the coordination of orientation, depth, and window type; (2) temporally, traditional dwellings exhibit a dynamic daylighting regulation mechanism realized by the reasonable design and combination of spatial and interface components, and they precisely balance the light and thermal needs in different seasons; (3) the temporal daylighting regulation guides the dwellers to form a behavior sequence that is synchronized with natural rhythms, thereby shaping human behavior and local culture in the regions; (4) the daylighting environment in traditional dwellings satisfies the demand for practical functions, embodying the organic integration between technical rationality and humanistic spirit. In summary, from the perspectives of spatial layout, seasonal adaptation, behavior guidance, and cultural expression, this research clarifies the characteristics, formation mechanism, and implicit relationship with local culture of the daylighting environment in traditional dwellings in the Yangtze River Delta. It provides a new perspective for understanding the ecological adaptability of regional traditional architecture and offers valuable insights and references for the development of green architecture nowadays. Full article