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Heritage, Volume 8, Issue 8 (August 2025) – 19 articles

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23 pages, 2497 KiB  
Article
Biosphere Reserves in Spain: A Holistic Commitment to Environmental and Cultural Heritage Within the 2030 Agenda
by Juan José Maldonado-Briegas, María Isabel Sánchez-Hernández and José María Corrales-Vázquez
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080309 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Abstract
Biosphere Reserves (BRs), designated by UNESCO, are uniquely positioned to serve as model territories for sustainable development, as they aim to harmonize biodiversity conservation with the socio-economic vitality and cultural identity of local communities. This work examines the commitment of the Spanish Network [...] Read more.
Biosphere Reserves (BRs), designated by UNESCO, are uniquely positioned to serve as model territories for sustainable development, as they aim to harmonize biodiversity conservation with the socio-economic vitality and cultural identity of local communities. This work examines the commitment of the Spanish Network of Biosphere Reserves to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a survey-based research design, this study assesses the extent to which the reserves have integrated the SDGs into their strategic frameworks and operational practices. It also identifies and analyses successful initiatives and best practices implemented across Spain that exemplify this integration. The findings highlight the need for enhanced awareness and understanding of the 2030 Agenda among stakeholders, alongside stronger mechanisms for participation, cooperation, and governance. The conclusion emphasises the importance of equipping all reserves with strategic planning tools and robust systems for monitoring, evaluation, and accountability. Moreover, the analysis of exemplary cases reveals the transformative potential of sustainability-oriented projects—not only in advancing environmental goals but also in revitalizing local economies and reinforcing cultural heritage. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of how BRs can act as dynamic laboratories for sustainable development and heritage preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biological and Natural Heritage)
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14 pages, 873 KiB  
Article
Try It Before You Buy It: A Non-Invasive Authenticity Assessment of a Purported Phoenician Head-Shaped Pendant (Cáceres, Spain)
by Valentina Lončarić, Pedro Barrulas, José Miguel González Bornay and Mafalda Costa
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080308 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Museums may acquire archaeological artefacts discovered by non-specialists or amateur archaeologists, holding the potential to promote the safeguarding of cultural heritage by integrating the local community in their activities. However, this also creates an opportunity for the fraudulent sale of modern forgeries presented [...] Read more.
Museums may acquire archaeological artefacts discovered by non-specialists or amateur archaeologists, holding the potential to promote the safeguarding of cultural heritage by integrating the local community in their activities. However, this also creates an opportunity for the fraudulent sale of modern forgeries presented as archaeological artefacts, resulting in the need for a critical assessment of the artefact’s authenticity prior to acquisition by the museum. In 2019, the regional museum in Cáceres (Spain) was offered the opportunity to acquire a Phoenician-Punic head pendant, allegedly discovered in the vicinity of the city. The artefact’s authenticity was assessed by traditional approaches, including typological analysis and analysis of manufacture technique, which raised doubts about its purported age. VP-SEM-EDS analysis of the chemical composition of the different glass portions comprising the pendant was used for non-invasive determination of glassmaking recipes, enabling the identification of glass components incompatible with known Iron Age glassmaking recipes from the Mediterranean. Further comparison with historical and modern glassmaking recipes allowed for the identification of the artefact as a recent forgery made from glasses employing modern colouring and opacifying techniques. Full article
24 pages, 2373 KiB  
Review
Assessment of Soil Erosion Risk in Cultural Heritage Sites: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Nikoletta Papageorgiou, Diofantos Hadjimitsis, Chris Danezis and Rosa Lasaponara
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080307 - 30 Jul 2025
Abstract
Different monitoring approaches and techniques have been adopted to estimate and prevent soil erosion and its corresponding phenomena at cultural heritage sites. Remote sensing plays a crucial role in detecting and monitoring soil erosion events by providing a wealth of geospatial data and [...] Read more.
Different monitoring approaches and techniques have been adopted to estimate and prevent soil erosion and its corresponding phenomena at cultural heritage sites. Remote sensing plays a crucial role in detecting and monitoring soil erosion events by providing a wealth of geospatial data and information that helps to better understand and respond to the mechanisms of soil erosion and mitigate or reduce its impacts. The main aims of this review are to (1) provide an overview of remote sensing methods, applications, and sensor types, (2) discuss the role of remote sensing in the estimation of soil erosion at cultural heritage sites, and (3) present a bibliometric analysis of soil erosion studies at cultural heritage sites covering the period from 1994 to 2025. The results of this study provide insights into the yearly scientific production, methods employed, topics, and trends in this field. This research offers valuable information for future research and the development and promotion of policies and strategies for the effective and sustainable management of cultural heritage sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geological Hazards and Heritage Safeguard)
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40 pages, 3045 KiB  
Review
HBIM and Information Management for Knowledge and Conservation of Architectural Heritage: A Review
by Maria Parente, Nazarena Bruno and Federica Ottoni
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080306 (registering DOI) - 30 Jul 2025
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive review of research on Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM), focusing on its role as a tool for managing knowledge and supporting conservation practices of Architectural Heritage. While previous review articles and most research works have predominantly addressed geometric [...] Read more.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of research on Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM), focusing on its role as a tool for managing knowledge and supporting conservation practices of Architectural Heritage. While previous review articles and most research works have predominantly addressed geometric modeling—given its significant challenges in the context of historic buildings—this study places greater emphasis on the integration of non-geometric data within the BIM environment. A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus database to extract the 451 relevant publications analyzed in this review, covering the period from 2008 to mid-2024. A bibliometric analysis was first performed to identify trends in publication types, geographic distribution, research focuses, and software usage. The main body of the review then explores three core themes in the development of the information system: the definition of model entities, both semantic and geometric; the data enrichment phase, incorporating historical, diagnostic, monitoring and conservation-related information; and finally, data use and sharing, including on-site applications and interoperability. For each topic, the review highlights and discusses the principal approaches documented in the literature, critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of different information management methods with respect to the distinctive features of the building under analysis and the specific objectives of the information model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HBIM and Information Systems for Cultural Heritage Memory and Preservation)
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22 pages, 63497 KiB  
Article
From Earth to Interface: Towards a 3D Semantic Virtual Stratigraphy of the Funerary Ara of Ofilius Ianuarius from the Via Appia Antica 39 Burial Complex
by Matteo Lombardi and Rachele Dubbini
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080305 - 30 Jul 2025
Abstract
This paper presents the integrated study of the funerary ara of Ofilius Ianuarius, discovered within the burial complex of Via Appia Antica 39, and explores its digital stratigraphic recontextualisation through two 3D semantic workflows. The research aims to evaluate the potential of [...] Read more.
This paper presents the integrated study of the funerary ara of Ofilius Ianuarius, discovered within the burial complex of Via Appia Antica 39, and explores its digital stratigraphic recontextualisation through two 3D semantic workflows. The research aims to evaluate the potential of stratigraphic 3D modelling as a tool for post-excavation analysis and transparent archaeological interpretation. Starting from a set of georeferenced photogrammetric models acquired between 2023 and 2025, the study tests two workflows: (1) an EMF-based approach using the Extended Matrix, Blender, and EMviq for stratigraphic relationship modelling and online visualisation; (2) a semantic integration method using the .gltf format and the CRMArcheo Annotation Tool developed in Blender, exported to the ATON platform. While both workflows enable accurate 3D documentation, they differ in their capacity for structured semantic enrichment and interoperability. The results highlight the value of combining reality-based models with semantically linked stratigraphic proxies and suggest future directions for linking archaeological datasets, ontologies, and interactive digital platforms. This work contributes to the ongoing effort to foster transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility in virtual archaeological reconstruction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Digital Heritage)
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25 pages, 5412 KiB  
Article
Non-Invasive Use of Imaging and Portable Spectrometers for On-Site Pigment Identification in Contemporary Watercolors from the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny
by Álvaro Solbes-García, Mirco Ramacciotti, Ester Alba Pagán, Gianni Gallello, María Luisa Vázquez de Ágredos Pascual and Ángel Morales Rubio
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080304 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 43
Abstract
Imaging techniques have revolutionized cultural heritage analysis, particularly for objects that cannot be sampled. This study investigated the utilization of spectral imaging for the identification of pigments in artifacts from the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny, in conjunction with other portable spectroscopy techniques [...] Read more.
Imaging techniques have revolutionized cultural heritage analysis, particularly for objects that cannot be sampled. This study investigated the utilization of spectral imaging for the identification of pigments in artifacts from the Arxiu Valencià del Disseny, in conjunction with other portable spectroscopy techniques such as XRF, Raman, FT-NIR, and FT-MIR. Four early 1930s watercolors were examined using point-wise elemental and molecular spectroscopic data for pigment classification. Initially, the data cubes obtained with the spectral camera were processed using various methods. The spectral behavior was analyzed pixel-point, and the reflectance curves were qualitatively compared with a set of standards. Subsequently, a computational approach was applied to the data cube to produce RGB, false-color infrared (IRFC), and principal component (PC) images. Algorithms, such as the Vector Angle (VA) mapper, were also employed to map the pigment spectra. Consequently, 19th-century pigments such as Prussian blue, chrome yellow, and alizarin red were distinguished according to their composition, combining the spatial and spectral dimensions of the data. Elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy supported these findings. In this context, the use of reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS), despite its technical limitations, emerged as an essential tool for the documentation and conservation of design heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Non-invasive Multi-analytical Approaches for the Study of Painted Artworks)
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19 pages, 4572 KiB  
Article
The Role of Craft in Special Education: Insights from the CRAEFT Program
by Danae Kaplanidi, Athina Sismanidou, Katerina Ziova, Christodoulos Riggas and Nikolaos Partarakis
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080303 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 263
Abstract
This study explores the potential of craft-based activities in the context of special education, focusing on a papier mâché sculpting workshop implemented at the Special Kindergarten of Komotini, Greece, as part of the Horizon Europe Craeft project. The initiative aimed to assess how [...] Read more.
This study explores the potential of craft-based activities in the context of special education, focusing on a papier mâché sculpting workshop implemented at the Special Kindergarten of Komotini, Greece, as part of the Horizon Europe Craeft project. The initiative aimed to assess how such creative activities could enhance the learning experience of children with intellectual and motor impairments, foster socialization, and develop fine motor skills. With reference to literature in art therapy, craft education, and inclusive pedagogy, the study applied a mixed-methods approach combining observation, visual analysis, and a survey. The findings indicate that, despite varied levels of participation based on individual needs, all students engaged meaningfully with the materials and activities. School professionals observed increased student engagement, emotional comfort, and communication, while also identifying the activity as well adapted and replicable in similar contexts. The results highlight the value of crafts in special education, not only as a sensory and cognitive stimulus but also as a means of fostering inclusion and self-expression. The study concludes with a call for further research into the role of tactile materials and hand gestures in relation to specific impairments. Full article
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20 pages, 3276 KiB  
Article
What Is Modern Heritage? A Methodology to Bridge the Research Gap in This Emerging Category of the Built Environment
by Mar Loren-Méndez and Roberto F Alonso-Jiménez
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080302 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 178
Abstract
Modern heritage (MH) is a key component of our built environment; however, it currently lacks widespread recognition and a clear, universally accepted definition, placing it in an emerging phase. This category of heritage, understood within the context of modernisation processes and the changes [...] Read more.
Modern heritage (MH) is a key component of our built environment; however, it currently lacks widespread recognition and a clear, universally accepted definition, placing it in an emerging phase. This category of heritage, understood within the context of modernisation processes and the changes characteristic of the late modern period, remains underrepresented and warrants further study. The objective of this article is to fill the identified research gap, thereby fostering awareness of MH, improving its accessibility and enhancing its visibility and appreciation. It offers a diagnostic analysis of the corpus on MH through the design and development of a concrete methodology, which is transferable to the other heritage categories. This study reveals insights into the present understanding of the term ‘Modern Heritage’ and its relevance within an international framework. This understanding prompts a reflection on the terminology used to describe this concept, which serves not only as a significant result in itself but also as a foundation for future research. Despite the close association of modern heritage with the 20th century, this research identifies a cross-cutting nature that needs to be recognised, encompassing a wide range of periods, themes and typologies in this category. Full article
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52 pages, 3733 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Deep Reinforcement Learning and Metaheuristic Framework for Heritage Tourism Route Optimization in Warin Chamrap’s Old Town
by Rapeepan Pitakaso, Thanatkij Srichok, Surajet Khonjun, Natthapong Nanthasamroeng, Arunrat Sawettham, Paweena Khampukka, Sairoong Dinkoksung, Kanya Jungvimut, Ganokgarn Jirasirilerd, Chawapot Supasarn, Pornpimol Mongkhonngam and Yong Boonarree
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080301 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Designing optimal heritage tourism routes in secondary cities involves complex trade-offs between cultural richness, travel time, carbon emissions, spatial coherence, and group satisfaction. This study addresses the Personalized Group Trip Design Problem (PGTDP) under real-world constraints by proposing DRL–IMVO–GAN—a hybrid multi-objective optimization framework [...] Read more.
Designing optimal heritage tourism routes in secondary cities involves complex trade-offs between cultural richness, travel time, carbon emissions, spatial coherence, and group satisfaction. This study addresses the Personalized Group Trip Design Problem (PGTDP) under real-world constraints by proposing DRL–IMVO–GAN—a hybrid multi-objective optimization framework that integrates Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) for policy-guided initialization, an Improved Multiverse Optimizer (IMVO) for global search, and a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) for local refinement and solution diversity. The model operates within a digital twin of Warin Chamrap’s old town, leveraging 92 POIs, congestion heatmaps, and behaviorally clustered tourist profiles. The proposed method was benchmarked against seven state-of-the-art techniques, including PSO + DRL, Genetic Algorithm with Multi-Neighborhood Search (Genetic + MNS), Dual-ACO, ALNS-ASP, and others. Results demonstrate that DRL–IMVO–GAN consistently dominates across key metrics. Under equal-objective weighting, it attained the highest heritage score (74.2), shortest travel time (21.3 min), and top satisfaction score (17.5 out of 18), along with the highest hypervolume (0.85) and Pareto Coverage Ratio (0.95). Beyond performance, the framework exhibits strong generalization in zero- and few-shot scenarios, adapting to unseen POIs, modified constraints, and new user profiles without retraining. These findings underscore the method’s robustness, behavioral coherence, and interpretability—positioning it as a scalable, intelligent decision-support tool for sustainable and user-centered cultural tourism planning in secondary cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI and the Future of Cultural Heritage)
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25 pages, 10162 KiB  
Article
The Luminous Ambience of an Ancient Roman Public Building: A Characterization of the Inner Daylit Environment of Rogatianus Library in Thamugadi City (Timgad, Algeria)
by Hana Djouadi, Azeddine Belakehal and Paola Zanovello
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080300 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 284
Abstract
The Roman public library of Timgad (Algeria) constituted the study object of several extensive research works, particularly during the French colonial era. Following a virtual restitution-focused research work, this investigation aims to quantitatively characterize the daylighting conditions inside Timgad Public Library. Here, it [...] Read more.
The Roman public library of Timgad (Algeria) constituted the study object of several extensive research works, particularly during the French colonial era. Following a virtual restitution-focused research work, this investigation aims to quantitatively characterize the daylighting conditions inside Timgad Public Library. Here, it must be remembered that the luminous environment inside libraries is a main design parameter and a main environmentalfactor. In addition, it must be highlighted that the Timgad region’s luminous climate differs from where Rome’s designers and builders practiced. Hence, at a first step, a comparison is carried out between the precepts of Vitruvius, the pioneer of ancient Roman architecture, and the outcomes of previous studies related to Roman libraries. Then, as a second step, a double approach combining both 3D geometric modeling and numerical simulation using Radiance (2.0Beta) software. These simulations are mainly elaborated for the case of the large reading room, including most of the building’s main activities—consulting, reading, and storing books. Finally, this inner luminous environment’s characterization highlights that the Timgad Roman antic library was not uniformly daylit and suggests that its use varied spatially and temporally with respect to this environmental parameter. Full article
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20 pages, 4277 KiB  
Article
BIM and HBIM: Comparative Analysis of Distinct Modelling Approaches for New and Heritage Buildings
by Alcínia Zita Sampaio, Augusto M. Gomes, João Tomé and António M. Pinto
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080299 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 174
Abstract
The Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology has been applied in distinct sectors of the construction industry with a growing demonstration of benefits, supporting the elaboration of integrated and collaborative projects. The main foundation of the methodology is the generation of a three-dimensional (3D) [...] Read more.
The Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology has been applied in distinct sectors of the construction industry with a growing demonstration of benefits, supporting the elaboration of integrated and collaborative projects. The main foundation of the methodology is the generation of a three-dimensional (3D) digital representation, the BIM model, concerning the different disciplines that make up a complete project. The BIM model includes a database referring to all the information regarding the geometric and physical aspects of the project. The procedure related to the generation of BIM models presents a significant difference depending on whether the project refers to new or old buildings. Current BIM systems contain libraries with various types of parametric objects that are effortlessly adaptable to new constructions. However, the generation of models of old buildings, supported by the definition of detailed new parametric objects, is required. The present study explores the distinct modelling procedures applied in the generation of specific parametric objects for new and old constructions, with the objective of evaluating the comparative complexity that the designer faces in modelling specific components. For a correct representation of new buildings in the design phase or for the reproduction of the accurate architectural configuration of heritage buildings, the modelling process presents significant differences identified in the study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HBIM and Digital Technologies-Based Conservation Practices in Cultural Heritage Sites)
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26 pages, 2844 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Comparative Framework to Explore Land Use Histories of the Northeastern Peloponnese, Greece
by James Newhard, Tingting Tong, Antonia Lombardi, Haley Bryan, Kelsey Campbell, Emma Jansen and Matthew Titzler
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080298 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
Calls for an “archaeology of climate change” highlight the interest in integrating human land use histories with the paleoenvironmental record. Shifts in land use patterns, observed via regional archaeological surveys, have been used in studies exploring the relationships between human and environmental systems, [...] Read more.
Calls for an “archaeology of climate change” highlight the interest in integrating human land use histories with the paleoenvironmental record. Shifts in land use patterns, observed via regional archaeological surveys, have been used in studies exploring the relationships between human and environmental systems, often via the Adaptive Cycle (AC). Recent work has combined datasets from separate surveys to examine macroregional patterns, which can then be integrated with environmental proxy data. However, efforts at aggregating archaeological data are often problematized due to projects’ differing collection methods and periodizations. This study ascribes the formal constructs of the AC to survey data to minimize data aggregation issues and maintain local integrity. Aoristic sum functions were performed individually on data from four projects in the northeastern Peloponnese to identify local patterns. These data were then aggregated, allowing for changes in land use to be observed at the macro and regional levels. Further measurements relating to land use abandonment, continuity, expansion, and potential serve as proxy data to identify the AC constructs of organization, exploitation, conservation, and release. The approach allows for cross-comparative regional analysis and the creation of an aggregated dataset that describes macroregional trends, essential to integrating human and paleoenvironmental narratives over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Archaeology of Climate Change)
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23 pages, 8273 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approach in the Structural Diagnosis of Historic Buildings: Stability Study of the Bullring of Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda (Spain)
by Pablo Pachón, Carlos Garduño, Enrique Vázquez-Vicente, Juan Ramón Baeza and Víctor Compán
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080297 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 266
Abstract
The structural health monitoring of historic buildings represents one of the most significant challenges in contemporary structural analysis, particularly for large-scale structures with accumulated damage. Obtaining reliable diagnostics is crucial yet complex due to the inherent uncertainties in both geometric definition and material [...] Read more.
The structural health monitoring of historic buildings represents one of the most significant challenges in contemporary structural analysis, particularly for large-scale structures with accumulated damage. Obtaining reliable diagnostics is crucial yet complex due to the inherent uncertainties in both geometric definition and material properties of historic constructions, especially when structural stability may be compromised. This study presents a comprehensive structural assessment of the Bullring of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda (Spain), an emblematic 18th-century structure, through an innovative multi-technique approach aimed at evaluating its structural stability. The methodology integrates various non-destructive techniques: 3D laser scanning for precise geometric documentation, operational modal analysis (OMA) for global dynamic characterisation, experimental modal analysis (EMA) for local assessment of critical structural elements, and sonic tests (ST) to determine the elastic moduli of the principal materials that define the historic construction. The research particularly focuses on the inner ring of sandstone columns, identified as the most vulnerable structural component through initial dynamic testing. A detailed finite-element (FE) model was developed based on high-precision laser-scanning data and calibrated using experimental dynamic properties. The model’s reliability was validated through the correlation between numerical predictions and experimental observations, enabling a thorough stability analysis of the structure. Results reveal concerning stability issues in specific columns of the inner ring, identifying elements at significant risk of collapse. This finding demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in detecting critical structural vulnerabilities in historic buildings, providing crucial information for preservation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment)
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15 pages, 650 KiB  
Article
Advanced Isotopic Techniques to Investigate Cultural Heritage: The Research Activities at the iCONa Laboratory
by Noemi Mantile, Simona Altieri, Maria Rosa di Cicco, Valentina Giacometti and Carmine Lubritto
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080296 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 175
Abstract
Isotopic analyses are useful tools with a wide range of applications, including environmental studies, archaeology and biomedicine. Founded in 2019 at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, the iCONa laboratory specialises in stable isotope mass spectrometry, with a particular focus on cultural heritage. [...] Read more.
Isotopic analyses are useful tools with a wide range of applications, including environmental studies, archaeology and biomedicine. Founded in 2019 at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, the iCONa laboratory specialises in stable isotope mass spectrometry, with a particular focus on cultural heritage. The laboratory performs carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopic analyses, including the most recent advances in compound-specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AAs). In addition to these analytical services, iCONa provides chemical and physical sample preparation for a variety of sample types. This paper focuses on our applications in the field of cultural heritage, exploring how the analysis of stable isotopes performed on archaeological remains can be used to reconstruct past subsistence strategies and human behaviours. We also discuss the challenges inherent in isotopic analysis and recent methodological advances in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue It's All a Matter of Time: Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Artworks through Dating, Authentication, Material Characterization, Monitoring and Restoration)
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20 pages, 262 KiB  
Article
Comics as Heritage: Theorizing Digital Futures of Vernacular Expression
by Ilan Manouach and Anna Foka
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080295 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 781
Abstract
This paper investigates digital comics—particularly webcomics and webtoons—as emerging forms of cultural heritage, analyzing their exponential global influence alongside the limitations of traditional heritage frameworks in systematically preserving them. The UNESCO heritage model, rooted in concepts of physical fixity and authenticity, is shown [...] Read more.
This paper investigates digital comics—particularly webcomics and webtoons—as emerging forms of cultural heritage, analyzing their exponential global influence alongside the limitations of traditional heritage frameworks in systematically preserving them. The UNESCO heritage model, rooted in concepts of physical fixity and authenticity, is shown as inadequate for born-digital works like comics, which derive meaning from technological infrastructure, dynamic platforms, and ongoing community interaction rather than static material forms. Drawing on heritage futures and digital materiality theories, the authors argue that digital comics exemplify "temporal authenticity," evolving through continual transformation and algorithmic curation. The paper details how platform recommendation systems and analytics directly shape which comics achieve cultural visibility and preservation, while community-driven initiatives—such as The Flashpoint Archive—demonstrate effective models for holistic, grassroots digital preservation beyond institutional reach. Ultimately, the study calls for new theoretical and practical approaches to heritage, recognizing digital comics as both cultural artifacts and dynamic, platform-specific vernacular expressions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Digital Heritage)
25 pages, 27161 KiB  
Article
Reverse-Engineering of the Japanese Defense Tactics During 1941–1945 Occupation Period in Hong Kong Through 21st-Century Geospatial Technologies
by Chun-Hei Lam, Chun-Ho Pun, Wallace-Wai-Lok Lai, Chi-Man Kwong and Craig Mitchell
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080294 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Hundreds of Japanese features of war (field positions, tunnels, and fortifications) were constructed in Hong Kong during World War II. However, most of them were poorly documented and were left unknown but still in relatively good condition because of their durable design, workmanship, [...] Read more.
Hundreds of Japanese features of war (field positions, tunnels, and fortifications) were constructed in Hong Kong during World War II. However, most of them were poorly documented and were left unknown but still in relatively good condition because of their durable design, workmanship, and remoteness. These features of war form parts of Hong Kong’s brutal history. Conservation, at least in digital form, is worth considering. With the authors coming from multidisciplinary and varied backgrounds, this paper aims to explore these features using a scientific workflow. First, we reviewed the surviving archival sources of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Second, airborne LiDAR data were used to form territory digital terrain models (DTM) based on the Red Relief Image Map (RRIM) for identifying suspected locations. Third, field expeditions of searching for features of war were conducted through guidance of Global Navigation Satellite System—Real-Time Kinetics (GNSS-RTK). Fourth, the found features were 3D-laser scanned to generate mesh models as a digital archive and validate the findings of DTM-RRIM. This study represents a reverse-engineering effort to reconstruct the planned Japanese defense tactics of guerilla fight and Kamikaze grottos that were never used in Hong Kong. Full article
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21 pages, 856 KiB  
Article
Interpreting Collapse in Norse Greenland: Why Similar Data Produces Different Conclusions
by Rowan Jackson and Andrew Dugmore
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080293 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 345
Abstract
This paper examines interpretations of depopulation in Norse Greenland between the 14th and 15th centuries CE. Using in-depth interviews with 13 experts working on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of settlement and depopulation in Norse Greenland, we examine the different interpretations of [...] Read more.
This paper examines interpretations of depopulation in Norse Greenland between the 14th and 15th centuries CE. Using in-depth interviews with 13 experts working on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of settlement and depopulation in Norse Greenland, we examine the different interpretations of decline by experts using the same data. Our analysis reveals a geographical and disciplinary pattern of interpretation that reflects the institutional and disciplinary cultures, successive paradigms, and placed ideas about human–environment interaction. We examine the interplay between data and interpretation to uncover key developments in knowledge of the past and ideas about both the role of climate, ecology and social, economic and political processes in the end of the Norse settlement in Greenland, as well as their wider persistence in the North Atlantic region. In particular, we emphasise the importance of active reflection on disciplinary training, schools of thought, and national narratives in both the interpretation and perceived relevance of the past. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Archaeology of Climate Change)
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6 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Digital Innovation for the Documentation, Management, and Fruition of Cultural Heritage
by Marcello La Guardia, Mila Koeva and Mauro Lo Brutto
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080292 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Recent years have been characterised by a profound transformation in the field of Cultural Heritage (CH), shaped by interdisciplinary methodologies, digital innovation and the demand for more inclusive, sustainable management approaches [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and 3D Web Exploration for the Management, Enjoyment and Conservation of Cultural Heritage)
27 pages, 12120 KiB  
Article
The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain
by Lidia Cabello-Ligero, Primitiva Bueno-Ramírez, María José Armenteros-Lojo, José Suarez Padilla, José L. Caro Herrero, Rodrigo de Balbín-Behrmann, Rosa Barroso-Bermejo, Alia Vázquez Martínez, Juan José Durán Valsero, Sergio Raúl Durán-Laforet, Rafael Jordá Bordehore, Raquel Morales García and Miguel Ángel Varo Sánchez-Garrido
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080291 - 22 Jul 2025
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Abstract
The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality [...] Read more.
The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality data to confirm their continued relevance. Our aim here is to understand whether menhirs also played that role, using the area of Tierras de Antequera, which is connected to the sea, as a case study. With that goal in mind, a research project has been initiated through intensive archaeological field surveying, combined with the collection of testimonies from oral tradition and other archaeological tools such as GIS, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry and RTI, for the detection of engravings and paintings on some of the located landmarks. We present in this paper the first geological analyses in the megalithic territory of Antequera to determine the raw material of the menhirs that are studied and the geological outcrops from which they come. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)
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