Heritage

28 pages, 27500 KB

Open AccessArticle

Revisiting Jiahu’s 9000-Year-Old Fermented Beverage: New Microfossil Evidence for Early Qu-Based and Malt-Based Brewing Technologies in North China

by Li Liu, Yahui He, Jingpu Li, Juzhong Zhang and Wuhong Luo

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080335 - 21 Aug 2026

Viewed by 578

Abstract

The Jiahu site (ca. 9000–7500 cal. BP) in the Huai River valley has yielded the earliest reported evidence of fermented alcoholic beverages in China. Previous chemical residue analyses interpreted these beverages as a mixture of rice, honey, and fruit, differing markedly from brewing [...] Read more.

The Jiahu site (ca. 9000–7500 cal. BP) in the Huai River valley has yielded the earliest reported evidence of fermented alcoholic beverages in China. Previous chemical residue analyses interpreted these beverages as a mixture of rice, honey, and fruit, differing markedly from brewing traditions documented at other Neolithic sites in China. To reassess Jiahu brewing practices, we analyzed microfossils preserved in residues from 16 pottery sherds. The residues contained abundant starch granules, phytoliths, and fungal remains, including Monascus cleistothecia, hyphae, and yeast cells, together with starch damage patterns resulting from enzymatic hydrolysis, mashing, and cooking-induced gelatinization. Plant remains included rice, Panicoideae and Triticeae cereals, Job’s tears, foxnut, underground storage organs (USOs), and other taxa. Rice starches and Monascus remains were the most ubiquitous components, indicating that rice and Monascus formed the basis of qu-based brewing, while evidence consistent with malt saccharification was also identified. Together with previous chemical analyses, these findings suggest that Jiahu brewing relied primarily on qu-based saccharification, with contributions from malt-based processing, while honey and fruits may have supplied additional fermentable sugars. Integrating chemical and microfossil evidence provides a robust framework for reconstructing ancient brewing technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)

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24 pages, 930 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cultural Governance and Destination Identity: Examining Sustainability Practices in Greek Cultural Heritage Institutions

by Despoina Tsavdaridou and Eirini Papadaki

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080334 - 21 Aug 2026

Viewed by 545

Abstract

Destinations increasingly shift from promotional branding toward holistic and inclusive identity strategies, where cultural heritage operates as both an anchor of local distinctiveness and a catalyst for creative place-making. This study presents a mixed-methods Triple Bottom Line (TBL) assessment of four Greek cultural [...] Read more.

Destinations increasingly shift from promotional branding toward holistic and inclusive identity strategies, where cultural heritage operates as both an anchor of local distinctiveness and a catalyst for creative place-making. This study presents a mixed-methods Triple Bottom Line (TBL) assessment of four Greek cultural heritage institutions, a regional theatre, a municipal gallery, a university-affiliated foundation, and a regional film festival, to examine how governance structures, resource availability, and organisational capacity shape environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. Through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the research identifies eleven recurring thematic variables across the TBL dimensions and systematically compares their implementation across distinct governance models. Findings show that social sustainability, particularly accessibility, education, and community engagement, constitutes a structurally universal baseline across all institutions, regardless of governance type or resource level. In contrast, environmental and economic performance diverge sharply according to governance model, building ownership, and access to capital. As cultural institutions function as experiential landmarks within cultural and creative tourism, their inclusive practices enhance community wellbeing while co-producing destination identity as socially responsible and culturally authentic. The study concludes with targeted policy recommendations on reporting standards, capacity building, and structural constraints, offering transferable insights for creative place-making and sustainable destination branding in Greece and other Mediterranean contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage and Creative Place-Making: Pathways to Destination Sustainability)

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22 pages, 46772 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Resource Organization and Multi-Terminal Presentation Framework for Traditional Handicraft Transmission Sites: A Case Study of Sanyi Tie-Dyeing Factory in Weishan County, Yunnan, China

by Rui Wang, Yuntuan Li, Qiansheng Li and Mingzhen Ye

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080333 - 21 Aug 2026

Viewed by 327

Abstract

Traditional handicraft knowledge is not only embodied in final products and craft procedures but also embedded in the context formed by production spaces, tools, materials, practitioners, and their interrelationships. However, existing digital preservation practices often focus on individual objects or specific data types, [...] Read more.

Traditional handicraft knowledge is not only embodied in final products and craft procedures but also embedded in the context formed by production spaces, tools, materials, practitioners, and their interrelationships. However, existing digital preservation practices often focus on individual objects or specific data types, making the spatial and semantic relationships among heterogeneous resources insufficiently represented and limiting public understanding of the broader context of craft practices. To address this issue, this paper proposes a digital resource organization and multi-terminal presentation framework. Using 3D point clouds as a unified spatial reference for the site, the framework links images, videos, interviews, craft records, and object-related materials to spatial locations through structured annotation, and visualizes relationships among practitioners, tools, materials, processes, and spaces through node-link representations. The Web-based viewer and CAVE immersive system access the same content dataset, enabling “input once, reuse across terminals”. User feedback suggests that the framework supports the integrated representation of spatial context, craft resources, and associated information within traditional handicraft sites, with relational visualization contributing to a more holistic understanding of craft practices. The framework provides a reusable workflow for organizing, linking, and presenting heterogeneous heritage resources in traditional handicraft transmission sites, offering digital support for a contextual understanding of craft practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Digital Heritage Preservation and Open Science)

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45 pages, 39569 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dyed Not Dead: A Pilot Study of Dye Analysis in Preindustrial Textile Case Studies from Icelandic Collections Using FORS and Spectragryph

by Noemí Cubas Martín and Ian M. King

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080332 - 21 Aug 2026

Viewed by 379

Abstract

In Iceland, dyed textiles carried meanings beyond aesthetics and function. Through textile production and circulation, woollen cloth, including vaðmál as one historically important example, became central to the Icelandic economy and offers a material perspective on technological practice, exchange systems, and regional connections. [...] Read more.

In Iceland, dyed textiles carried meanings beyond aesthetics and function. Through textile production and circulation, woollen cloth, including vaðmál as one historically important example, became central to the Icelandic economy and offers a material perspective on technological practice, exchange systems, and regional connections. This paper presents a pilot methodological study exploring the combined use of fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and a reference corpus developed in Spectragryph for the preliminary assessment of possible dye classes in preindustrial textile case studies from Icelandic collections. The approach provides a rapid, portable, and non-invasive framework for spectral comparison prior to complementary molecular analysis, with targeted LC–MS of selected archaeological textiles planned as the next phase of the research. Following botanical and ethnographic research, a reference corpus of 351 wool samples was assembled, including undyed fleece controls, experimentally dyed fibres, and ethnographic dyed yarns preserved in museum collections. Seven case studies are presented, comprising four archaeological textiles and three early modern ecclesiastical textiles preserved in the collections of the National Museum of Iceland. The spectra show reflectance features consistent with possible indigoid and anthraquinone-related dye classes in several of the analysed textiles, whereas possible flavonoid- and tannin-related patterns generally remain non-diagnostic. At the same time, degradation, contamination, natural fleece pigmentation, and overlapping chromophoric signals frequently complicate interpretation, particularly in archaeological materials and darker tonal ranges. The study illustrates the potential of FORS combined with structured spectral comparison as a non-invasive first-stage methodology for dye analysis in Icelandic textile case studies, while highlighting the limitations of reflectance-based interpretation and the need for complementary molecular analysis for definitive compound-level identification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dyes in History and Archaeology 44)

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16 pages, 10393 KB

Open AccessArticle

Generalising HARF Beyond Bamiyan: A Bounded Cross-Site Evaluation of a Generative-AI Heritage Reconstruction Framework at the Temple of Bel, Palmyra

by Kawsar Arzomand and Tatiana Kalganova

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080331 - 21 Aug 2026

Viewed by 222

Abstract

The Heritage-Aligned Reconstruction Framework (HARF) was developed and initially evaluated using the Western Buddha of Bamiyan to structure evidence-constrained generative-AI heritage reconstruction. This article examines its bounded generalisation to the Temple of Bel at Palmyra, a materially, formally and iconographically contrasting heritage monument. [...] Read more.

The Heritage-Aligned Reconstruction Framework (HARF) was developed and initially evaluated using the Western Buddha of Bamiyan to structure evidence-constrained generative-AI heritage reconstruction. This article examines its bounded generalisation to the Temple of Bel at Palmyra, a materially, formally and iconographically contrasting heritage monument. The Dynamic Prompt Blueprint was re-instantiated using documentary evidence concerning the temple’s dimensions, limestone construction, Corinthian order, architectural layout, inscriptions and decorative programme, while retaining the framework’s top-level structure. A fourteen-item Palmyra questionnaire block was completed by 32 members of the interdisciplinary panel who also completed the Bamiyan evaluation. Within the Palmyra evaluation, Corinthian-column representation received the most favourable rating, whereas restored relief, inscription and surface detail received the least favourable rating. Eighteen respondents (56.2%) selected “none of the iterations are historically accurate” when assessing relief iconography. The paired difference in global prompt-sufficiency ratings did not reach the conventional significance threshold (p = 0.061), although ratings were positively associated across the two sites (Spearman ρ = 0.664, p < 0.001). The seven-domain keyword-coverage profiles were also positively rank-correlated (ρ = 0.771, p = 0.043). These findings support the bounded re-instantiation of HARF’s prompt schema and diagnostic evaluation logic in a contrasting heritage context. They do not establish equivalence between the two implementations, archaeological validity of the generated Temple of Bel images or validation of the complete HARF workflow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Generative AI and Cultural Heritage: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Frontiers)

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18 pages, 15201 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Elephant in the Room: The Use of Mammoth Bones for the Manufacture of Objects in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwestern France

by Jean-Marc Pétillon, Élise Tartar, Laura G. van der Sluis, Krista McGrath, Lucía Agudo Pérez, Leire Torres-Iglesias, Ana B. Marín-Arroyo, Christian Normand Orieux, Camilla Speller, Antoine Zazzo and Alexandre Lefebvre

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080330 - 19 Aug 2026

Viewed by 356

Abstract

During the Upper Paleolithic of southwestern France, the working of mammoth ivory is widely documented, but the use of mammoth bone has not been identified except for one possible Gravettian case. Here we report six worked objects made of mammoth bone from five [...] Read more.

During the Upper Paleolithic of southwestern France, the working of mammoth ivory is widely documented, but the use of mammoth bone has not been identified except for one possible Gravettian case. Here we report six worked objects made of mammoth bone from five sites in southwestern France, which have been identified taxonomically by proteomics using ZooMS. They were radiocarbon dated and their chronological distribution spans the Upper Paleolithic: Aurignacian (Sous-le-Roc, 35.5–34.6 ka cal BP), Gravettian (Brassempouy, 28.6–27.6 ka cal BP), Solutrean (Laugerie-Haute and Harpons, 26.3–23.4 and 24.2–23.7 ka cal BP), and Magdalenian (La Madeleine, 15.9–15.5 ka cal BP). Additionally, the technical use of unworked flakes from mammoth bones was identified at another site (Isturitz) and dated to the Gravettian (33.8–31.9 ka cal BP). We argue that in the Upper Paleolithic of southwestern Europe, the use of mammoth bone, while infrequent, is more common than previously documented, and identification biases account for its under-recognition. More systematic research is necessary to assess the extent of this phenomenon. This contribution highlights the research potential in collections from ancient excavations, provided that they are approached with a combination of complementary analytical methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Studies on Archaeological Worked Bone Heritage)

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15 pages, 24103 KB

Open AccessArticle

Problems of Dating Petroglyphs Using Measurements of Manganese Accumulation in Rock Varnish: New Research Findings and Their Implications

by Ronald I. Dorn and David S. Whitley

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080329 - 19 Aug 2026

Viewed by 1058

Abstract

Recent attempts at petroglyph dating have focused on measuring the manganese accumulation in the rock varnish coating that develops in a motif groove after it was engraved, under the assumption that this amount is systematically related to age. These efforts reflect the basic [...] Read more.

Recent attempts at petroglyph dating have focused on measuring the manganese accumulation in the rock varnish coating that develops in a motif groove after it was engraved, under the assumption that this amount is systematically related to age. These efforts reflect the basic need for chronological control for both heritage management and research purposes. Despite the wide availability of portable X-ray fluorescence devices and their ability to take non-destructive field measurements of manganese, these applications have not examined the nature or location of the manganese being analyzed. We employ a mixture of electron microscope methods on samples of petroglyphs obtained from prior investigations of petroglyphs to assess this problem. Results reveal that significant amounts of manganese associated with petroglyphs derive from sources other than the post-engraving rock varnish coating, including the weathering rinds underlying varnish, isolated patches of inherited varnish that were not completely removed during petroglyph engraving, and silica glazes. Significant amounts of manganese also may be removed by microcolonial fungi that, in our samples, dissolve between 22 and 60% of a rock varnish coating. Until the manganese accumulation petroglyph dating approach is able to distinguish manganese subtractions from acid-producing fungi and additions from non-varnish sources from varnish sources, it cannot provide reliable age estimates. Full article

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25 pages, 39162 KB

Open AccessEssay

Accessible 3D Gaussian Splatting from Consumer-Grade UAVs as a Framework for Rapid Documentation of Cultural Heritage

by Alessio Martino and Filiberto Chiabrando

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080328 - 19 Aug 2026

Viewed by 328

Abstract

Cultural heritage faces accelerating threats from armed conflict and climate-induced disasters, generating emergency scenarios in which the window for documentation may be measured in hours. Traditional high-fidelity workflows such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning and survey-grade Structure-from-Motion campaign can be operationally incompatible with these [...] Read more.

Cultural heritage faces accelerating threats from armed conflict and climate-induced disasters, generating emergency scenarios in which the window for documentation may be measured in hours. Traditional high-fidelity workflows such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning and survey-grade Structure-from-Motion campaign can be operationally incompatible with these constraints due to costly hardware and specialist-team requirements. Emergency image acquisition can be undertaken with consumer-grade equipment, while the same photographic dataset can subsequently support both an SfM-MVS mesh for metric and geometric analysis and a 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) representation for view-dependent visual interpretation. This paper evaluates an accessible, entirely graphical workflow for producing these complementary outputs, with particular attention paid to the 3DGS stage and without requiring programming or command-line expertise. We develop a theoretical case drawing on Brandinian restoration theory and the international conservation framework, introducing the concept of informational amnesia, the irreversible loss of a site’s documentary record, as a distinct and undertheorized category of heritage failure. We further argue that the democratization of 3DGS documentation cannot be measured by licensing cost alone: a tool distributed as open-source code but requiring command-line expertise presents an effective accessibility barrier functionally equivalent to a commercial paywall. True accessibility requires installable, graphical software operable by non-specialist practitioners in the field. We present a proof-of-concept application of this accessible pipeline, namely DJI Mini 5 Pro, RealityScan for photogrammetric reconstruction, and Lichtfeld Studio for 3DGS generation, to the Fontana d’Ercole at the Reggia di Venaria Reale (UNESCO World Heritage, Turin, Italy). Visual results show photorealistic, navigable 3DGS surrogates of architecturally complex heritage assets achievable by non-specialist operators within hours of acquisition and establish the empirical foundation for future quantitative evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Heritage and Cultural Landscape)

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31 pages, 16673 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Fit-for-Purpose Evaluation for Computer Vision in Archaeology: A Case Study in Extracting Geospatial Data from Legacy Archaeological Maps

by Mark D. McCoy and Hannah Moncrieff

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080327 - 19 Aug 2026

Viewed by 329

Abstract

Hand-drawn field maps are an irreplaceable archive of archaeological sites, yet converting scanned images of analog field maps into geospatial data remains a significant bottleneck. Currently, prompt-driven large language models (LLMs) cannot reproduce human heads-up digitizing consistently or affordably at scale. LLMs do, [...] Read more.

Hand-drawn field maps are an irreplaceable archive of archaeological sites, yet converting scanned images of analog field maps into geospatial data remains a significant bottleneck. Currently, prompt-driven large language models (LLMs) cannot reproduce human heads-up digitizing consistently or affordably at scale. LLMs do, however, allow users to quickly produce custom computer vision (CV) workflows. We describe an example of one such custom Python (3.13.9) pipeline that extracts polygons that represent terraces on maps of fortified settlements (called pā) in Aotearoa New Zealand. It starts with scanned archaeological maps, decides if the map is in a cartographic style it can process, finds shapes, and decides if these shapes are valid based on a model trained on human-annotated examples. It works extremely quickly, outputs clean geospatial datasets, and has excellent spatial and formal accuracy, with a mean intersection-over-union (mIoU) for matched detections of 0.89–0.94. Detection performance, as measured by F1 scores covered an extremely wide range, from 0.800 to 0.00, with a mean of 0.528 (median = 0.588) typical of marginally successful CV studies. In practice, for every four terraces correctly mapped, three are missed, and three false positive are created. Critically, when we did a fit-for-purpose evaluation using an archaeologically meaningful metric (the Gini coefficient), we discovered a sliding scale of reliability. The best results were comparable with human-traced maps (F1 scores > 0.80). Below that, introduced error meant they were reliable in some senses but unreliable in others (F1 0.53 to 0.80). The worst were totally unreliable for quantitative analyses (F1 < 0.53). The lesson for archaeology is this: standard CV benchmarks alone cannot tell us whether an automated output is fit for archaeological inference. Archaeology would benefit from discipline-specific fit-for-purpose metrics, like the example here, as a regularized part of computer vision studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)

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21 pages, 3208 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Historic Garden Climate Risk Management Framework (HG-CRMF): A Multi-Scale Heritage-Centered Methodology for Integrating Climate Risk into Conservation Management Plans

by Cristina Del-Pozo

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080326 - 19 Aug 2026

Viewed by 279

Abstract

Historic gardens are among the cultural heritage assets most vulnerable to climate change because their significance depends on the continuous interaction between living ecological systems, designed landscapes and cultural values. Although international policies increasingly advocate the integration of climate adaptation into heritage management, [...] Read more.

Historic gardens are among the cultural heritage assets most vulnerable to climate change because their significance depends on the continuous interaction between living ecological systems, designed landscapes and cultural values. Although international policies increasingly advocate the integration of climate adaptation into heritage management, operational methodologies capable of systematically incorporating climate risk into the conservation planning of historic gardens remain limited. This paper develops the Historic Garden Climate Risk Management Framework (HG-CRMF), a multi-scale, heritage-centered methodological framework designed to integrate climate risk management within existing Conservation Management Plans (CMPs). The framework was developed through the synthesis of international heritage conservation principles, climate adaptation policies, environmental risk assessment methodologies and adaptive governance approaches. Its principal innovation lies in combining strategic conservation planning at the scale of the historic garden with operational implementation through Garden Conservation Units (GCUs), spatially coherent heritage entities that enable site-specific assessment of heritage values, climate hazards, exposure, vulnerability, adaptation measures and monitoring indicators. The HG-CRMF provides a structured workflow linking heritage significance, climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, monitoring and adaptive governance within a single decision-support methodology. Rather than constituting a stand-alone adaptation strategy, the framework strengthens existing conservation planning by embedding climate-informed decision-making into routine management processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic (World) Heritage Sites and Values in Danger: Climate-Change Related Challenges and Transformation, 2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 53709 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ceremonial Tools or Just Hunting Weapons? A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mesolithic Inlaid Osseous Points from Lake Lubāns, Latvia

by Grzegorz Osipowicz, Justyna Orłowska, Mariusz Bosiak, Ilga Zagorska, Mieczysław Cieszko and Zbigniew Szczepański

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080325 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 424

Abstract

This study presents the results of interdisciplinary analyses of unique Mesolithic ornamented and inlaid osseous artefacts from Lake Lubāns, Latvia. The research integrates AMS radiocarbon dating, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and microcomputed tomography (microCT) to interpret [...] Read more.

This study presents the results of interdisciplinary analyses of unique Mesolithic ornamented and inlaid osseous artefacts from Lake Lubāns, Latvia. The research integrates AMS radiocarbon dating, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and microcomputed tomography (microCT) to interpret the techniques used to manufacture and ornament the artefacts, the origin of the residues observed on their surfaces, and their actual function and social role. The results suggest that the two engraved points analysed were probably ceremonial or symbolic artefacts, prepared and decorated in a special manner, including the possible attachment of decorative elements to their tips and, in one case, the bichrome inlaying of the ornamentation. These objects probably represent some of the first artefacts of this type identified in Mesolithic contexts. In the case of the third analysed point, the study confirmed both the presence of inlay or painted decoration on its surface and its use as a hunting weapon. From this perspective, it also represents a unique specimen, without close analogues in archaeological contexts of similar chronology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Studies on Archaeological Worked Bone Heritage)

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32 pages, 131914 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multimodal Non-Invasive Investigation of the Penitent Magdalene, Formerly in the Joseph Robinson Collection: New Technical Evidence for Attribution

by Nobuyuki Kamba

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080324 - 18 Aug 2026

Viewed by 481

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive non-invasive technical investigation of The Penitent Magdalene from the former Joseph Robinson Collection, a painting traditionally attributed to Anthony van Dyck rather than Peter Paul Rubens. High-resolution imaging, digital microscopy, ultraviolet fluorescence, infrared reflectography, X-radiography, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence [...] Read more.

This study presents a comprehensive non-invasive technical investigation of The Penitent Magdalene from the former Joseph Robinson Collection, a painting traditionally attributed to Anthony van Dyck rather than Peter Paul Rubens. High-resolution imaging, digital microscopy, ultraviolet fluorescence, infrared reflectography, X-radiography, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence mapping, and reflectance imaging spectroscopy were used to examine its materials, technique, and conservation history. The results reveal seventeenth-century materials and painting practices consistent with both Rubens and Van Dyck, together with extensive compositional revisions and painting techniques showing close affinities with Rubens and his workshop. Comparison with Titian’s Penitent Magdalene and Cornelis Cort’s engraving further demonstrates strong compositional relationships. The combined technical and art-historical evidence suggests that the long-standing preference for a Van Dyck attribution should be reconsidered and that Rubens deserves renewed consideration as a possible author. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Modal Methods for the Inspection of Artworks and Cultural Heritage)

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27 pages, 13446 KB

Open AccessArticle

Medieval Persianate Wall Paintings, 10–15th Centuries: From Production Approaches and Craftsmanship to Function, Meaning and Aesthetics

by Ana Marija Grbanovic

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080323 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 398

Abstract

This article proposes the first systematic overview of some twenty-five medieval Iranian wall paintings in their architectural contexts (10–15th centuries). Its focus on the artistic technology of wall painting, epigraphic programmes, craftspeople’s workshops, decorative iconography and aesthetics is intended to promote their preservation. [...] Read more.

This article proposes the first systematic overview of some twenty-five medieval Iranian wall paintings in their architectural contexts (10–15th centuries). Its focus on the artistic technology of wall painting, epigraphic programmes, craftspeople’s workshops, decorative iconography and aesthetics is intended to promote their preservation. The study of these wall paintings contributes to the understanding of the history of religion, artists’ social statuses and patrons’ identities. The medieval Iranian monuments’ constructive and decorative chronology, and in some cases their dating, can be revised through scrutiny of their wall paintings. The article presents a model of the development of medieval wall painting technology and aesthetics. Recently published archaeometric analyses, combined with in situ documentation of wall paintings, facilitate discussion of wall painting production technology, craftspeople’s mobility, and regional characteristics of wall painting. The relationship between the arts of wall painting, carved stuccos, applied moulded and stencilled stuccos, and tile revetments is discussed to better understand the logic behind the use of wall paintings, their role in decorating monuments, and their position within the decorative hierarchy of multimedia decorative programmes. A contextualised interpretation of wall paintings’ aesthetics, function and meaning is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)

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30 pages, 488 KB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Earth Pigments as Geological Polymineral Systems: A Structured Approach to Provenance and Degradation Assessment in Heritage Science

by Sebastiano Ettore Spoto and Roberta Somma

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080322 - 17 Aug 2026

Viewed by 231

Abstract

Natural earth pigments are polymineral materials whose present composition may differ from the source because of selection, grinding, heating, mixing, binder incorporation, and later alteration. This study develops a structured method for separating these contributions and for stating which provenance and degradation claims [...] Read more.

Natural earth pigments are polymineral materials whose present composition may differ from the source because of selection, grinding, heating, mixing, binder incorporation, and later alteration. This study develops a structured method for separating these contributions and for stating which provenance and degradation claims are supported by available evidence. The material is represented by geological, technological, and degradation components linked to elemental, mineralogical, spectroscopic, microscopic, and colour observations. Provenance is expressed as probabilistic compatibility across source levels, whereas degradation assessment ranks classes of environmental exposure rather than reconstructing a unique history. Published data from Roussillon yellow ochres and commercial and historical green earths are re-analysed as proof-of-concept checks, and a literature-based Herculaneum application illustrates degradation reasoning. The ochre analysis shows that mineralogical and colour relations remain directionally stable under robustness checks and that wet sieving can shift measured composition without eliminating family-level compatibility. The green-earth analysis shows that commercial labels and bulk chemistry alone do not reliably establish celadonite–glauconite family membership, whereas structural and vibrational evidence provides stronger discrimination. The Herculaneum case demonstrates how thermal events and subsequent exposure can alter ochre states. The study provides a practical diagnostic sequence and defines the present limits of inference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials Matter: Recent Perspectives in Diagnostics and Conservation)

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36 pages, 3381 KB

Open AccessArticle

Towards a Regionally Grounded Theoretical Model of East African Built Heritage as a Layered System: Implications for Architectural Education

by Rweyemamu Valentine Vedasto, Koenraad Van Cleempoel, Els Hannes, Shubira Leonidas Kalugila and Sarah Phoya

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080321 - 15 Aug 2026

Viewed by 390

Abstract

Built cultural heritage in East Africa is often interpreted and taught through monument-based, stylistic, or externally derived frameworks that insufficiently account for the region’s overlapping environmental, cultural, historical, and socio-spatial processes. Responding to this theoretical and pedagogical gap, this article develops a regionally [...] Read more.

Built cultural heritage in East Africa is often interpreted and taught through monument-based, stylistic, or externally derived frameworks that insufficiently account for the region’s overlapping environmental, cultural, historical, and socio-spatial processes. Responding to this theoretical and pedagogical gap, this article develops a regionally grounded theoretical model of East African built heritage as a layered system, with particular attention to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative, interpretive approach, combining a critical literature review, analysis of selected built heritage layers, and expert perspectives from East African and European/international respondents. The findings show that East African built heritage is shaped by five interrelated layers: environmental foundations, indigenous and vernacular systems, Swahili/coastal Indian Ocean urbanism, colonial reconfiguration, and postcolonial/contemporary transformation. These layers do not form a linear historical sequence; rather, they overlap, interact, are disrupted, and are reinterpreted through material practices, spatial transformation, memory, environmental knowledge, and everyday use. The article argues that East African built heritage is defined by a layered system that is hybrid, fragile, unevenly recognized, partly intangible, and negotiated. It concludes that architectural education must move beyond object-based conservation knowledge transfer toward competency building in historical interpretation, environmental understanding, community engagement, adaptive reuse, and critical design intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)

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23 pages, 27175 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reading Confucian Ethics on the Façade: A Semiotic-Coding Framework for Guangfu Ancestral Halls Demonstrated on the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall

by Jingyi Su, Yaohan Ding and Alice Sabrina Binti Ismail

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080320 - 14 Aug 2026

Viewed by 318

Abstract

Confucian ethics are widely credited with shaping Guangfu ancestral halls, yet existing scholarship approaches their façades from two disconnected ends: macro-cultural studies treat the façade as an undifferentiated emblem of lineage order, while craft studies document individual motifs without asking how the composition [...] Read more.

Confucian ethics are widely credited with shaping Guangfu ancestral halls, yet existing scholarship approaches their façades from two disconnected ends: macro-cultural studies treat the façade as an undifferentiated emblem of lineage order, while craft studies document individual motifs without asking how the composition addresses a viewer. This study bridges the two with a transparent, auditable, and replicable semiotic-coding framework, demonstrated on the main ceremonial façade of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou [广州] (1894). A semiotic reading identifies three legibility bands: a doorway band at eye level that regulates entry, a mid-register readable from the forecourt, and a crown that frames the long view. MAXQDA-assisted coding then classifies 88 carrier items screened by explicit inclusion rules. Confucian themes dominate (59.1%) over Taoist-related (22.7%), local Guangzhou (13.6%), and foreign (4.5%) repertoires; textual carriers are confined to the doorway band, narratives concentrate in the mid-register, emblems dominate the crown, and cross-validation shows each reading band is met by its coded distribution. Theoretically, the analysis reveals the façade as a graduated moral curriculum that reserves threshold and skyline for Confucian claims while domesticating other repertoires into subordinate positions; methodologically, the framework gives every value claim a traceable carrier, rule, and audit trail; practically, it equips heritage interpretation, conservation prioritisation, and cross-site comparison of Guangfu ancestral hall façades. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)

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27 pages, 5760 KB

Open AccessArticle

Worked and Working Bones—Wild Resource Use in an Agricultural Neolithic Community at Miaodigou Site, China

by Jie Shen, Wenquan Fan and Jie Yu

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080319 - 13 Aug 2026

Viewed by 536

Abstract

This paper examines worked-bone production at the Miaodigou (MDG) site, a key Middle Neolithic settlement in northern China, to assess the role of bone objects in craft production, subsistence, and social life. During the expansion of millet agriculture and pig domestication, a small [...] Read more.

This paper examines worked-bone production at the Miaodigou (MDG) site, a key Middle Neolithic settlement in northern China, to assess the role of bone objects in craft production, subsistence, and social life. During the expansion of millet agriculture and pig domestication, a small group of community members continued to acquire wild animal resources and engage in bone working. This study analyzes 26 finished bone objects and 69 modified osseous fragments through technological analysis, microscopic use-wear analysis, and replication experiments. Results reveal a simple yet pragmatic production system and provide the first reconstruction of the Middle Yangshao worked-bone production sequence. Small-scale bone production reflects a limited but persistent tradition of wild resource exploitation, integrating procurement, manufacture, and use. It also highlights the diversity of subsistence and craft activities within an agriculture-based society, where hunting and gathering practices are often underrepresented. This study further clarifies the functions of two common but understudied tool types in Chinese Neolithic assemblages. Replication experiments show that some awls were likely used for loosening threads or cords, while so-called “knives or daggers” might function as scrapers for bast fibers or animal hides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Studies on Archaeological Worked Bone Heritage)

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28 pages, 366 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Empirically Grounded Framework for Documenting Digital Cultural Heritage Use/Reuse

by Mahendra Mahey, Pille Pruulmann-Vengerfeldt and Pille Runnel

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080318 - 13 Aug 2026

Viewed by 339

Abstract

Over several decades, digital cultural heritage has been increasingly reused across research, education, creative practice and through public community engagement. However, these activities remain undescribed or inconsistently documented and difficult to compare. Organisations typically rely on ‘proxy metrics’ such as downloads, page views [...] Read more.

Over several decades, digital cultural heritage has been increasingly reused across research, education, creative practice and through public community engagement. However, these activities remain undescribed or inconsistently documented and difficult to compare. Organisations typically rely on ‘proxy metrics’ such as downloads, page views or reverse searches to assess use/reuse. However, these metrics reveal little about how materials were transformed, interpreted, or how they generated value and impact. GLAMs often rely on unstructured anecdotes to capture/trace reuse, as it is difficult to retrospectively document reuse when GLAMs publish cultural heritage data openly without the expectation of users to tell the organisation what they did with the digital cultural heritage they accessed and used. Documenting reuse approaches often focuses on single dimensions or factors such as sector, content type, audience or impact. This has resulted in fragmented knowledge about digital cultural heritage reuse, which has created limitations in carrying out evaluations across examples, learning from good practice and planning digital cultural heritage initiatives. This article introduces and empirically grounds a flexible, multi-dimensional schema for documenting and planning digital cultural heritage reuse. Using an abductive methodology that combines literature analysis and synthesis, practitioner interviews, user-journey examinations and iterative prototyping, we developed a six-category framework capturing (1) organisation and context, (2) heritage assets and technologies, (3) purpose and process, (4) users and engagement modes, (5) nature of use and availability, and (6) impact and sustainability. Applied across real-world examples, this framework can reveal forms of value, dependency and risk, often absent from conventional reporting in the reuse of digital cultural heritage. We argue that reuse documentation functions as a form of socio-technical infrastructure, enabling a shared vocabulary and understanding for cross-case comparison, cumulative learning and strategic design of digital heritage initiatives. By shifting categorisation from retrospective description to include prospective planning, the framework supports a more meaningful impact assessment and sustainable reuse of digital cultural heritage as a societal resource. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Digital Heritage Preservation and Open Science)

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25 pages, 107876 KB

Open AccessArticle

The First Archaeological Survey of Potentially Polluting Wrecks: Torpedo Boats S57, V72, and V75

by Ivar Treffner, Priit Lätti and Jouni Polkko

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080317 - 13 Aug 2026

Viewed by 957

Abstract

In November 1916, the Imperial German Navy conducted an ambitious raid against the Russian forces in the Baltic Sea. With the aim of attacking Russian ships in the coastal waters of Estonia, a squadron was dispatched from Libau. The operation proved to be [...] Read more.

In November 1916, the Imperial German Navy conducted an ambitious raid against the Russian forces in the Baltic Sea. With the aim of attacking Russian ships in the coastal waters of Estonia, a squadron was dispatched from Libau. The operation proved to be very costly, with seven ships sunk by Russian mines and only minimal damage caused to the port of Paldiski. In 2025, the Estonian Maritime Museum conducted a survey of three of the seven Imperial German Navy large torpedo boats sunk north of Hiiumaa island in Estonia. The aim was to identify the wrecks and determine the potential threat the wrecks may pose to the environment from the fuel oil the boats carried. The assessment was time critical as the wrecks had sunk more than a hundred years ago, and due to the location, any oil spill from the wrecks could potentially impact Estonia, Finland, and/or Sweden. The research concluded that all three surveyed wrecks could still contain substantial amounts of fuel oil, and although the wrecks are not leaking and the collapse of the wrecks is not considered imminent, the risk mitigation should be carried out as soon as possible; the possibility for successful oil removal diminishes every year as the wrecks corrode and disintegrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration and Preservation of Historical Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage)

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33 pages, 37442 KB

Open AccessArticle

Two Alternative Strategies for the Integrated Restoration of the Central Rectangular Tower of the Eastern Curtain Wall of Larissa Castle in Argos, Greece

by Konstantinos Dimitroulias and Styliani Papatzani

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080316 - 13 Aug 2026

Viewed by 261

Abstract

Larissa Castle of Argos in the Peloponnese represents one of the most significant fortified landscapes in Greece, reflecting architectural transformation and military adaptation from prehistory to the twentieth century. Amongst its parts, one of the best-preserved towers has recently regained much of its [...] Read more.

Larissa Castle of Argos in the Peloponnese represents one of the most significant fortified landscapes in Greece, reflecting architectural transformation and military adaptation from prehistory to the twentieth century. Amongst its parts, one of the best-preserved towers has recently regained much of its original form through partial restoration works, emerging as a dominant landmark within the castle and the wider Argolic landscape. This study investigates the complete restoration and adaptive reuse of the tower, focusing on the challenge of providing public access while respecting its historical and architectural integrity. Based on detailed architectural analysis, two alternative design approaches for vertical circulation and access to the battlement level are examined. The first proposal employs traditional materials and construction principles, whereas the second introduces a contemporary intervention through a lightweight metal spiral structure. The comparative assessment demonstrates how both solutions can facilitate visitor access, enhance the interpretation of the monument, and reveal the tower’s defensive operation and architectural evolution, while respecting the construction phases of the monument and the international principles of cultural heritage. The proposed reuse as an observation point capitalizes on the tower’s strategic position and exceptional panoramic views over the major archaeological landmarks of the Argolic plain. The original contribution of this study lies in the systematic comparison of two evidence-based intervention strategies—one historically referenced and one explicitly contemporary—within a common conservation framework applicable to similar defense monuments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Approaches to Fortification and Defense Heritage)

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30 pages, 635 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transforming Tradition: Hospitality and Tourism Employees’ Perceptions of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Serbian Gastronomic Heritage

by Maja Radišić, Mladen Radišić, Dušan Pevac, Srđan Milošević, Tamara Gajić and Dragan Vukolić

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080315 - 12 Aug 2026

Viewed by 268

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being associated with the ways in which cultural heritage is preserved, presented, and promoted in tourism. Although AI offers new opportunities to enhance the visibility of gastronomic heritage, important questions remain regarding its relationship with authenticity, commercialization, and [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being associated with the ways in which cultural heritage is preserved, presented, and promoted in tourism. Although AI offers new opportunities to enhance the visibility of gastronomic heritage, important questions remain regarding its relationship with authenticity, commercialization, and cultural identity. The aim of this study is to examine the role of AI in the transformation and preservation of Serbian gastronomic heritage from the perspective of hospitality and tourism employees, as they represent key stakeholders in the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of gastronomic heritage, as well as in the implementation of modern technologies within tourism practice. The research was conducted among employees working in restaurants, hotels, ethno-restaurants, agritourism farms, and tourism organizations in Serbia. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The results indicate that employees perceive AI as having significant potential for the promotion, preservation, and transformation of gastronomic heritage. Furthermore, the Authenticity of Gastronomic Heritage was identified as a significant predictor of the Preservation of Gastronomic Heritage, while AI was positively associated with both the Authenticity of Gastronomic Heritage and the Transformation of Gastronomic Heritage. The findings also suggest that employees perceive commercialization not only as a market-driven process but also as a potential mechanism for enhancing the visibility and valorization of gastronomic heritage. Overall, the findings reflect the perceptions of hospitality and tourism employees and highlight the importance of aligning technological innovations with cultural values in the preservation and promotion of Serbian gastronomic heritage. Full article

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47 pages, 21530 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Certosa di Pavia Digital Ecosystem: A Massive Multi-Scale Digitization Framework Integrating 3D Survey, HBIM, and VR for Long-Term Preservation and Knowledge Dissemination

by Fabrizio Banfi, Ezio Arlati, Fabio Roncoroni, Stefano Della Torre, Rosario Maria Anzalone, Stefano Aiello, Silvia Zanzani, Marco Pela and Gabriele Minelle

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080314 - 12 Aug 2026

Viewed by 650

Abstract

Digital technologies have significantly advanced documentation, management, and dissemination of Cultural Heritage (CH) through reality capture, Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), and Extended Reality (XR). However, the digitisation of large and historically stratified heritage sites still relies on fragmented workflows that compromise interoperability [...] Read more.

Digital technologies have significantly advanced documentation, management, and dissemination of Cultural Heritage (CH) through reality capture, Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM), and Extended Reality (XR). However, the digitisation of large and historically stratified heritage sites still relies on fragmented workflows that compromise interoperability and interrupt the continuity of geometric and semantic information throughout the heritage lifecycle. This paper proposes and validates a platform-independent, ecosystem-based methodology integrating multi-scale reality capture, hybrid Scan-to-HBIM modelling, semantic information management, interoperability, and XR within a continuous digital workflow. The methodology was validated through the large-scale digitisation of the Certosa di Pavia, where more than 1500 terrestrial laser scans, over 200,000 photographs, and approximately 50 billion points were acquired across a monumental complex covering nearly 331,000 m². The proposed framework reconstructs irregular architectural geometries with millimetre-scale accuracy (σ = 0.005 m) while preserving geometric reliability, semantic consistency, and information traceability across point-cloud processing, HBIM environments, Common Data Environments (CDEs), and XR applications. The results demonstrate that the effective digitisation of complex CH depends not only on the accuracy of individual technologies but also on their coordinated integration within interoperable digital ecosystems. The proposed methodology provides a transferable framework for preserving knowledge continuity throughout the heritage lifecycle, enabling HBIM to evolve from a geometric representation into a dynamic knowledge environment supporting conservation, management, research, education, and public dissemination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue HBIM and Digital Technologies-Based Conservation Practices in Cultural Heritage Sites)

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20 pages, 6032 KB

Open AccessArticle

Traditional Moken Ethnic Houses as a Basis for Post-Disaster Housing Design: Surin Islands, Phang Nga Province, Thailand

by Monsinee Attavanich, Ayako Fujieda, Chiemi Iba and Hirohide Kobayashi

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080313 - 12 Aug 2026

Viewed by 237

Abstract

Post-disaster housing deficiencies compromise long-term habitability due to rigid reconstruction models that restrict spatial flexibility. Following the 2004 tsunami, the Moken preserved traditional dwelling characteristics, but standardized models provided after the 2019 fire introduced unadaptable layout constraints. While these structures did not directly [...] Read more.

Post-disaster housing deficiencies compromise long-term habitability due to rigid reconstruction models that restrict spatial flexibility. Following the 2004 tsunami, the Moken preserved traditional dwelling characteristics, but standardized models provided after the 2019 fire introduced unadaptable layout constraints. While these structures did not directly destroy traditional living patterns, their framework limited necessary spatial extensions based on changing family needs. To inform responsive shelter design, this study investigated Moken construction culture through measured surveys across 20 surviving households, analyzing structural relationships and functional zoning between the main house and its extensions. Empirical results reveal six distinct typologies of spatial transformation built around a traditional nine-post core axis, with expanded footprints averaging 32.44 m². These configurations utilize front zones for social use, lateral zones for storage, and rear zones for sleeping quarters. The study concludes that integrating fluid indigenous habits with localized physical constraints remains a critical necessity, advocating for a flexible core house framework that permanently utilizes traditional construction knowledge and localized spatial parameters to secure the continuous transmission of traditional building skills across generations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation, Adaptive Reuse and Urban Regeneration of Earthen and Vernacular Heritage)

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27 pages, 1643 KB

Open AccessPerspective

Molecules as Primary Archaeological Evidence: An Epistemic Framework for Multi-Omics Archaeology and Heritage Science

by Enrico Greco, Davide Tanasi and Elia Marin

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080312 - 12 Aug 2026

Viewed by 1306

Abstract

Biomolecular and multi-omics approaches have transformed archaeology and heritage science, yet they are still widely conceptualized as ancillary techniques that refine narratives built on artifacts, architecture, and texts. This Perspective argues instead for treating molecules as primary archaeological evidence with their own epistemic [...] Read more.

Biomolecular and multi-omics approaches have transformed archaeology and heritage science, yet they are still widely conceptualized as ancillary techniques that refine narratives built on artifacts, architecture, and texts. This Perspective argues instead for treating molecules as primary archaeological evidence with their own epistemic status, temporalities, and bias structure. Drawing on a corpus of multi-omics case studies from the central and eastern Mediterranean (chiefly Sicily, Malta, and Egypt), together with comparative material from the lower Danube, Polynesia, and the Andes, and engaging directly with the philosophy of science, we adopt a critical entity realism grounded in the practice of physical intervention on molecular entities, and we develop evidential reasoning chains that connect instrumental data to historical phenomena. From this grounding, we propose a six-dimensional epistemic framework: (1) redefinition of archaeological evidence; (2) molecular counter-archive against preservation bias; (3) polytemporality of molecular signals; (4) ethics and conservation as internal epistemic variables; (5) identity, boundaries, and connectivity in a molecular key; and (6) methodological pluralism and interpretive convergence. The framework has concrete implications for curatorial policies, sampling strategy, and data governance, and opens a productive dialogue between biomolecular heritage science and archaeological theory. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)

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36 pages, 1254 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage Communication, Perceived Conservation, and Cultural Heritage Visiting Behavior Among Chinese Tourists: Evidence from Chengde, China

by Xinli Jiang, Songyu Jiang and Nutteera Phakdeephirot

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080311 - 10 Aug 2026

Viewed by 491

Abstract

Chengde, China, is famous for its Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, which are a World Heritage Site. In recent years, it has received increasing attention from heritage research scholars. From a tourism perspective, tourists’ visits are important for supporting economic benefits, heritage conservation, and [...] Read more.

Chengde, China, is famous for its Qing Dynasty imperial gardens, which are a World Heritage Site. In recent years, it has received increasing attention from heritage research scholars. From a tourism perspective, tourists’ visits are important for supporting economic benefits, heritage conservation, and sustainable development. This study integrated the four dimensions of the 4E heritage communication framework—experience, exchange, everyplace, and evangelism—with heritage interpretation quality to develop a model to uncover cultural heritage visiting behavior. Based on the survey data of 887 Chinese tourists who have visited Chengde’s cultural heritage sites, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. The results showed that experience, exchange, everyplace, and evangelism, together with heritage interpretation quality, were all positively associated with cultural heritage visiting behavior. Perceived destination image and perceived conservation both significantly predicted cultural heritage visiting behavior and served as significant mediators in most of the proposed indirect relationships; however, the indirect path of evangelism through perceived destination image was not supported. Source credibility strengthened the relationships between the five antecedents and cultural heritage visiting behavior. Therefore, this article encourages the development of high-quality, comprehensive marketing strategies to attract more people to learn about World Cultural Heritage, while simultaneously improving guided tour services and their quality. It also emphasizes building a more positive cultural tourism image and conducting precise public relations to ensure that World Cultural Heritage receives support and attention from governments, educational institutions, and travel agencies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cultural Heritage)

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13 pages, 5088 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Database of Religious History as an Open-Access Digital Resource for the Study of the Ancient Mediterranean World

by Caroline Arbuckle MacLeod, Megan J. Daniels and M. Willis Monroe

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080310 - 10 Aug 2026

Viewed by 320

Abstract

In the current digital world, there is an incredible amount of information at our fingertips. In fact, there is so much information that the sheer amount of data can be overwhelming. As historians, archaeologists, and cultural heritage experts, a significant amount of research [...] Read more.

In the current digital world, there is an incredible amount of information at our fingertips. In fact, there is so much information that the sheer amount of data can be overwhelming. As historians, archaeologists, and cultural heritage experts, a significant amount of research or the use of assistants can be necessary simply to shift through centuries of publications to compile relevant resources before cultural questions can be adequately explored. This challenge compounds when attempting cross-cultural analyses. The Database of Religious History (DRH) was initially created in 2012 by Dr. Edward Slingerland as a digital tool designed to help offset these challenges and provide a means for experts, students, and historical enthusiasts to begin to explore significant religious questions without wading through centuries of data. In this article, the authors discuss how information for the DRH is collected from experts, and how it can be organized and queried to explore religious questions. While the database covers the global history of religion, this discussion focuses in particular on its use for exploring the ancient Mediterranean world. The authors also discuss pedagogical resources for incorporating the DRH into classrooms to improve students’ digital literacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Past for the Future: Digital Pathways in Cultural Heritage)

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19 pages, 1075 KB

Open AccessReview

A Use-Centred Evaluation Framework for HBIM and Heritage Digital Twins

by Elisabetta Doria, Maya Moussallieh and Marco Morandotti

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080309 - 8 Aug 2026

Viewed by 430

Abstract

HBIM (Historic Building Information Modelling) and Heritage Digital Twins (HDT) are increasingly used to organize geometric, historical, and conservation knowledge in digital environments. While research has advanced modelling accuracy, semantic enrichment, and interoperability, evaluation approaches remain largely focused on technical descriptors such as [...] Read more.

HBIM (Historic Building Information Modelling) and Heritage Digital Twins (HDT) are increasingly used to organize geometric, historical, and conservation knowledge in digital environments. While research has advanced modelling accuracy, semantic enrichment, and interoperability, evaluation approaches remain largely focused on technical descriptors such as Level of Development/Detail (LOD), information completeness, and geometric reliability. Less attention is given to whether these digital outputs are effectively accessed, interpreted, used, and maintained within institutional practice. This paper examines how use is currently framed in HBIM and HDT literature and identifies a gap between technical performance metrics and the conditions required for sustained real-world adoption. Based on an interpretive review of recent research, it analyses existing evaluation paradigms and highlights their limitations in capturing operational and lifecycle dimensions of digital heritage initiatives. To address this gap, the paper introduces Level of Use (LOU) as a complementary evaluation dimension. LOU is defined as the extent to which digital heritage models are accessible, interpretable, actionable, and maintained over time within their organisational context. Positioned alongside LOD, Level of Information (LOI), and accuracy specifications, LOU links technical model quality with institutional adoption, long-term usability, and sustainable heritage management. 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, 55995 KB

Open AccessArticle

Autonomous Exploration and Digital Documentation of Great Lakes Shipwrecks: A Multi-Platform Survey Framework for Maritime Heritage

by Arthur C. Trembanis

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080308 - 7 Aug 2026

Viewed by 589

Abstract

The preservation of submerged cultural heritage depends on the ability to locate, document, and monitor sites before they are degraded or lost. Although the North American Great Lakes contain thousands of exceptionally well-preserved shipwrecks, their large geographic extent and diverse operating environments present [...] Read more.

The preservation of submerged cultural heritage depends on the ability to locate, document, and monitor sites before they are degraded or lost. Although the North American Great Lakes contain thousands of exceptionally well-preserved shipwrecks, their large geographic extent and diverse operating environments present significant challenges for efficient archeological survey. This study presents a multi-platform autonomous survey framework developed and implemented during 2021–2022 field campaigns in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario. The framework integrates autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), crewed vessels, side-scan sonar, multibeam bathymetry, magnetometry, optical imaging, and field-based data review within a hierarchical workflow comprising wide-area assessment (WAA) reconnaissance, high-resolution geophysical (HRG) mapping, adaptive mission refinement, and visual confirmation. The surveys produced 19.72 km² of geophysical coverage, including side-scan sonar mosaics, bathymetric surfaces, magnetic anomaly maps, and optical imagery that supported archeological interpretation. A case study from Lake Ontario demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness through the confirmation of a previously undocumented wooden shipwreck using complementary acoustic, magnetic, and visual datasets. Beyond the individual discoveries, the results demonstrate how integrated autonomous systems improve survey efficiency, support adaptive decision-making, and provide scalable methods for digital documentation, baseline site characterization, long-term monitoring, and preservation of submerged cultural heritage in freshwater and marine environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration and Preservation of Historical Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage)

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26 pages, 43473 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Federated HBIM Workflow for Complex Heritage Conservation: Data Integration, Automation, and Construction-Phase Support for the Floor of the Holy Sepulchre Basilica

by Daniele Treccani, Olga Rosignoli and Luigi Fregonese

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080307 - 7 Aug 2026

Viewed by 378

Abstract

The management of complex heritage conservation projects requires the integration of heterogeneous datasets, multidisciplinary expertise, and information generated throughout investigation, design, construction, and maintenance activities. Although Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is increasingly adopted as a framework for organising heritage information, its implementation [...] Read more.

The management of complex heritage conservation projects requires the integration of heterogeneous datasets, multidisciplinary expertise, and information generated throughout investigation, design, construction, and maintenance activities. Although Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is increasingly adopted as a framework for organising heritage information, its implementation in complex conservation projects remains challenging due to the coexistence of multiple disciplines, modelling granularities, and information requirements. This paper presents the development of a federated HBIM system for the conservation of the floor of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and, starting from this real multidisciplinary implementation, derives a generalised methodological workflow for similar heritage conservation projects. The proposed workflow consists of four main phases: (i) definition of project objectives and information requirements, (ii) acquisition and organisation of multi-source datasets, (iii) development of a federated HBIM architecture integrating modelling, information management, and automation, and (iv) operational use of the federated model throughout the conservation process. A key aspect of the proposed approach is the organisation of federated sub-models according to both disciplinary responsibilities and specific operational purposes, allowing different geometric and semantic granularities to coexist within a coordinated information environment. The study also demonstrates the enabling role of automation in supporting the management of highly granular datasets and repetitive information management tasks. The application to the Holy Sepulchre Basilica demonstrates the applicability of the proposed workflow in a real multidisciplinary conservation project, while the abstraction process provides a transferable methodological framework for similar heritage conservation contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in HBIM and Digital Twins for Cultural Heritage—from Reality to Model and Back)

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12 pages, 7465 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Facial Heritage of the Canary Islands: Craniofacial Analysis of Fifty Skulls from a Pre-Hispanic Population

by Maria Castañeyra Ruiz and Caroline Wilkinson

Heritage 2026, 9(8), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9080306 - 6 Aug 2026

Viewed by 428

Abstract

This research project aimed to create a complete and representative picture of the facial heritage of the Canary Islands, by accommodating the interpretations of recent genome studies and explorations regarding the identity of the ancient Canarians, alongside facial anthropology and comparative analysis with [...] Read more.

This research project aimed to create a complete and representative picture of the facial heritage of the Canary Islands, by accommodating the interpretations of recent genome studies and explorations regarding the identity of the ancient Canarians, alongside facial anthropology and comparative analysis with a modern population. This project therefore represents an exciting combination of identity, migration, forensics and archaeology. Facial depictions were produced for fifty indigenous skulls housed at El Museo Canario of Gran Canaria, using the latest forensic technology along with well-established morphometrical standards. To our knowledge, this project represents the most extensive craniofacial analysis study of a single population from anywhere in the world. An exhibition at the El Museo Canario of Gran Canaria provided valuable public engagement in relation to anthropology and archaeology, while at the same time presenting the visualisation of people from the past. The research is timely and of global benefit within the wider cultural and social debate relating to identity, migration and nationality, demonstrating historical evidence for global migration as an ancient pattern rather than a recent phenomenon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cultural Heritage)

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