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Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface
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Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2021) | Viewed by 24277

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Paola Fermo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: environmental analytical chemistry; analytical chemistry applied to cultural heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of cultural heritage very often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving many scientific disciplines such as chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and conservation science. Within this context, scientific methods are applied for the study of works of arts with the aim of deepening knowledge with respect to a material’s chemical and physical properties, as well as their conservation and deterioration processes. For this Special Issue, papers dealing with these aspects are welcome. Topics can range from the study of both organic and inorganic materials (both the study of their properties and of the state of degradation induced by environment) to the conservation of these through the use of new materials. Papers may focus on the development of new techniques, including sample preparation or the application of non-destructive instrumentation. Papers highlighting a multidisciplinary approach are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Paola Fermo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • analytical chemistry
  • cultural heritage
  • organic materials
  • inorganic materials
  • non-destructive methods

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 14286 KiB  
Article
Degradation Products on Byzantine Glasses from Northern Tunisia
by Valeria Comite, Martina Andreoli, Davide Atzei, Donatella Barca, Marzia Fantauzzi, Mauro Francesco La Russa, Antonella Rossi, Vittoria Guglielmi and Paola Fermo
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7523; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217523 - 26 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2362
Abstract
This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface altered points, [...] Read more.
This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface altered points, namely iridescent and black patinas, which are present on some selected glasses. Non-destructive techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) are here exploited. SEM-EDS was employed to ascertain the morphological structure and the chemical composition of various points, apparently different, on the glass surfaces. Small area XPS was performed for identifying the elements present on the sample surface, for determining their chemical state and for establishing the atomic composition of the morphologically different regions. LA-ICP-MS was exploited to determine the chemical composition as far as the trace elements are concerned. The presence of iridescent patinas and of encrustations has been highlighted on the glass surfaces in correspondence to the altered areas: iridescent patinas are due to the fact that the glasses are depleted in alkali and alkaline earths. The incrustations resulted due to the presence of calcium carbonates, and/or oxyhydroxides. In one case sulfides were also detected by SEM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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9 pages, 2886 KiB  
Article
Luminescence Dating of Rock Surface. The Case of Monoliths from the Megalithic Sanctuary of Ossimo-Pat (Valle Camonica, Italy)
by Anna Galli, Laura Panzeri, Paolo Rondini, Raffaella Poggiani Keller and Marco Martini
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7403; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217403 - 22 Oct 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3387
Abstract
Ossimo-Pat megalithic sanctuary (Valle Camonica, BS, Italy) is one of the most relevant archaeological findings of the southern alpine region, for the variety of its structures and the quality of its engraved monoliths. Its unique state of preservation gives the opportunity to apply [...] Read more.
Ossimo-Pat megalithic sanctuary (Valle Camonica, BS, Italy) is one of the most relevant archaeological findings of the southern alpine region, for the variety of its structures and the quality of its engraved monoliths. Its unique state of preservation gives the opportunity to apply the luminescence dating of the rock surface method. Here, we investigate the use of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) for dating five cobbles from the site and compare cobble-surface derived ages to quartz OSL ages from sediments and to archaeological evidences. The obtained ages confirm the archaeological studies and open the way to a new hypothesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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18 pages, 8451 KiB  
Article
Pigments on Roman Wall Painting and Stucco Fragments from the Monte d’Oro Area (Rome): A Multi-Technique Approach
by Vittoria Guglielmi, Valeria Comite, Martina Andreoli, Francesco Demartin, Chiara Andrea Lombardi and Paola Fermo
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(20), 7121; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207121 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4391
Abstract
This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed to [...] Read more.
This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed to obtain more information about the collected materials. A multi-analytical approach has been applied including spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and visible reflectance analyses) and elemental analysis (SEM-EDS) techniques. The chromatic palette has been in this way disclosed evidencing the use of pigments such as cinnabar, Egyptian blue, red and yellow ochre and green earth, but also the simultaneous use of them. The presence of a decoration achieved by using a gold leaf has been highlighted also, indicating the preciousness of the decorations. The convenience and advantages linked to the use of portable instrumentation have been also evidenced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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18 pages, 6580 KiB  
Article
Pore Structure and Water Transfer in Pietra d’Aspra Limestone: A Neutronographic Study
by Luciana Randazzo, Giuseppe Paladini, Valentina Venuti, Vincenza Crupi, Frédéric Ott, Giuseppe Montana, Michela Ricca, Natalia Rovella, Mauro Francesco La Russa and Domenico Majolino
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(19), 6745; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10196745 - 26 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2982
Abstract
Neutron radiography (NR) was here applied to study the effects of two different commercially available consolidants on the water absorption properties in a particular type of limestone (biocalcarenite), known as Pietra d’Aspra stone, which is one of the most extensively used lithotypes in [...] Read more.
Neutron radiography (NR) was here applied to study the effects of two different commercially available consolidants on the water absorption properties in a particular type of limestone (biocalcarenite), known as Pietra d’Aspra stone, which is one of the most extensively used lithotypes in Sicilian Baroque buildings. Our attention was mainly focused on the evaluation, using a fast and nondestructive visualization of water motion through capillarity, of the effectiveness of such layers as consolidating agents in view of preserving and maintaining both old and modern structures. The biocalcarenite was treated with nanosilica (Nano Estel®) and nanolime (CaLoSil®) by brushing it until full saturation, and then artificially weathered by salt crystallization and temperature/relative humidity jumps. Liquid distribution and height of the water front were monitored as a function of time. Significant differences in the water suction behavior among all the investigated samples were highlighted, which allowed us to gain insight into the coating/substrate interaction mechanisms which regulate the fluid mobility inside the porous network of the limestone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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21 pages, 10755 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approach to Characterize Archaeological Materials and Status of Conservation of the Roman Thermae of Reggio Calabria Site (Calabria, South Italy)
by Michela Ricca, Clara Enza Urzì, Natalia Rovella, Alessandro Sardella, Alessandra Bonazza, Silvestro Antonio Ruffolo, Filomena De Leo, Luciana Randazzo, Anna Arcudi and Mauro Francesco La Russa
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(15), 5106; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10155106 - 24 Jul 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3173
Abstract
This multidisciplinary research focuses on diagnostic investigations to characterize the archaeological materials, as well as the alteration and degradation forms detected at the Roman Thermae of Reggio Calabria (Calabria, South Italy) site. The thermal complex, (dating I–II century B.C.), was built around three [...] Read more.
This multidisciplinary research focuses on diagnostic investigations to characterize the archaeological materials, as well as the alteration and degradation forms detected at the Roman Thermae of Reggio Calabria (Calabria, South Italy) site. The thermal complex, (dating I–II century B.C.), was built around three main rooms such as the caldarium (hot bath), the tepidarium (warm bath) and the frigidarium (cold bath), all connected to a central room through several entrances. The central hall still preserves a suggestive mosaic floor dating between the II and III century A.D., characterized by geometric motifs and black and white tesserae. Fragments of various archaeological stone materials, such as bricks, mortars, sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic rocks have been studied with different and complementary techniques. Particularly, polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were performed to characterize the materials employed to construct the site and evaluate their state of preservation. Finally, laboratory microbiological culture analysis was conducted to identify the main microorganisms composing the biological patinas detected on the sampled materials. Results allowed us to evaluate the most suitable restoration procedures to conduct at the archaeological site, considering the different stone materials present in the studied area and their state of conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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18 pages, 3061 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approach for Evaluating the Geochemical Degradation of Building Stone Related to Pollution Sources in the Historical Center of Naples (Italy)
by Valeria Comite, Michela Ricca, Silvestro Antonio Ruffolo, Sossio Fabio Graziano, Natalia Rovella, Concetta Rispoli, Chiara Gallo, Luciana Randazzo, Donatella Barca, Piergiulio Cappelletti and Mauro Francesco La Russa
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(12), 4241; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10124241 - 20 Jun 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3490
Abstract
Natural stones have represented one of the main building materials since ancient times. In recent decades, a worsening in degradation phenomena related mostly to environmental pollution was observed, threatening their conservation. The present work is focused on the minero-petrographic and geochemical characterization of [...] Read more.
Natural stones have represented one of the main building materials since ancient times. In recent decades, a worsening in degradation phenomena related mostly to environmental pollution was observed, threatening their conservation. The present work is focused on the minero-petrographic and geochemical characterization of black crust (BC) samples taken from the historical center of Naples, after selecting two pilot monumental areas. The latter were chosen based on their historical importance, type of material, state of preservation and position in the urban context (i.e., high vehicular traffic area, limited traffic area, industrial area, etc.). The building materials used and their interaction with environmental pollutions were studied comparing the results obtained by means of different analytical techniques such as polarized light Optical Microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion system (SEM-EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and laser ablation coupled with inductive plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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14 pages, 2694 KiB  
Article
A Preliminary Spectroscopic Approach to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Water- and Silicone-Based Cleaning Methods on Historical Varnished Brass
by Michela Albano, Silvia Grassi, Giacomo Fiocco, Claudia Invernizzi, Tommaso Rovetta, Maurizio Licchelli, Raffaella Marotti, Curzio Merlo, Daniela Comelli and Marco Malagodi
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 3982; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10113982 - 8 Jun 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3489
Abstract
Soiling deposition and wrong conservation practices are among the causes of the decay process that can affect the morphological, mechanical, and compositional features of the varnish, the most exposed layer of an artefact. In this perspective, the identification of the best cleaning practices [...] Read more.
Soiling deposition and wrong conservation practices are among the causes of the decay process that can affect the morphological, mechanical, and compositional features of the varnish, the most exposed layer of an artefact. In this perspective, the identification of the best cleaning practices is a priority. During the 18th century, scientific instruments of the highest quality were built, and peculiar varnishes were produced to confer protection and elegance to their metal elements. For this study, based on a historical recipe, we have reproduced a peculiar spirit varnish, enriched with natural resins and colorants, and we have applied on it a synthetic soiling mixture to simulate the aging conditions. We have then performed a non-invasive multi-analytical study to monitor the effectiveness of two water-based and a silicone-based, cleaning methods, namely, water in agarose, Tween 20 (3%) in agarose, and Velvesil™ Plus. The study includes colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping, coupled with chemometrics. Principal component analysis applied to FTIR spectral data has been demonstrated to be a powerful tool to enhance weak variations in the IR spectra, empowering the interpretation of cleaning effect versus the application time of each cleaning test. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methodologies Applied to the Study of Cultural Heritage Surface)
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