Heritage

The buffer zone of a historical or cultural heritage always surrounds the core protected area of the heritage. Currently, there are no mature or universally applicable methods for buffer zone delineation. This study examines the historical and cultural village, Huitong Village in Zhuhai, Guangdong, as the research area. From the perspective of cultural geography, this study explores a new framework for delineating buffer zones with three steps. This paper proceeds from two points: the integrity of the water system and the shared value of mankind in the visual corridors. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) this study shows the feasibility of our proposed buffer zone delineation method based on cultural geography; (2) the delineation method of buffer zone in this study can serve as a reference method of value comparison for historical space protecting planning at different scales. Full article

The Rotunda in Thessaloniki, Greece, preserves in its interior a magnificent wall mosaic assemblage of unique inspiration and beauty. Thirty-six (36) glass tesserae, blue, green, yellow, brown, black, gold and silver in color, were examined for the first time via UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, in order to investigate the base glass composition, and their technological and morphological features. Despite the heterogeneity observed in the glass composition, the results indicated similarities with other Early Christian and Byzantine wall mosaics in the use of colorants, opacifiers and decolorizers. Cobalt, copper, iron and manganese along with lead and tin compounds are responsible for the blue, green, yellow, brown and black colors. Tin-based opacifiers and bone ash contribute to the glass opacity. The use of different glass recipes and opacifiers in the Rotunda’s assemblage reflects the transition from the Roman glass tradition to the Byzantine glass production of the fourth and the fifth century in the eastern Mediterranean. Full article

In the contemporary international context, the preventive conservation of cultural relics has become a widespread consensus. “Risk management” has emerged as a pivotal research focus at the present stage. However, the preventive protection of cultural relics is confronted with deficiencies in risk assessment and prediction. There is an urgent requirement for research to present a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the frontier technologies applicable to the preventive protection of cultural relics, with a particular emphasis on risk prevention and control. Additionally, it is essential to delineate the prospects for future investigations and developments in this domain. Consequently, this study employs bibliometric methods, applying CiteSpace (6.3.R1) and Biblioshiny (4.3.0) to perform comprehensive visual and analytical examinations of 392 publications sourced from the Web of Science (WoS) database covering the period 2010 to 2024. The results obtained from the research are summarized as follows: First, it is evident that scholars originating from China, Italy, and Spain have exhibited preponderant publication frequencies, contributing the largest quantity of articles. Second, augmented reality, digital technology, and risk-based analysis have been identified as the cardinal research frontiers. These areas have attracted significant scholarly attention and are at the forefront of innovation and exploration within the discipline. Third, the “Journal of Culture Heritage” and “Heritage Science” have been empirically determined to be the most frequently cited periodical within this particular field of study. Moreover, over the past decade, under the impetus and influence of the concept of Intangible Cultural Heritage, virtual reality, digital protection, and 3D models have progressively evolved into the central and crucial topics that have pervaded and shaped the research agenda. Finally, with respect to future research trajectories, there will be a pronounced focus on interdisciplinary design. This will be accompanied by an escalation in the requisites and standards for preventive conservation. Specifically, the spotlight will be cast upon aspects such as the air quality within the preservation environment of cultural relics held in collections, the implementation and efficacy of environmental real-time monitoring systems, the utilization and interpretation of big data analysis and early warning mechanisms, as well as the comprehensive and in-depth risk analysis of cultural relics. These multifaceted investigations will be essential for advancing understanding and safeguarding of cultural heritage. These findings deepen our grasp of how risk management in cultural heritage conservation has progressed and transformed between 2010 and 2024. Furthermore, the study provides novel insights and directions for subsequent investigations into risk assessment methodologies for heritage collections. Full article

The Medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a cultural and historical treasure requiring innovative approaches for its preservation and promotion in the digital era. This paper presents MedinaOnto, an ontology dedicated to modeling the built cultural heritage of the Medina of Fez, developed in alignment with established standards like CIDOC-CRM, FOAF, and GEOSPARQL. The ontology aims to structure and interconnect knowledge about the Medina’s buildings while integrating social, geospatial, and historical dimensions. Based on the Core Data Standard and enriched with structured data from open sources such as Wikidata and DBpedia, the ontology aims to represent a wide range of heritage entities, including monuments, historic buildings, and culturally significant spaces. The modeling approach followed a structured ontology engineering methodology, combining domain analysis, concept extraction, the formulation of Competency Questions, and iterative refinement. The evaluation of the ontology was conducted through logical consistency tests, scenario-based validation, and SPARQL queries derived from Competency Questions. The results confirmed that MedinaOnto enables robust semantic reasoning and effective data querying. Designed as a reusable and scalable semantic framework, Medina Onto targets both public and heritage professionals, with a focus on valorization, mediation, and research. Full article

Digital platforms have become primary channels for cultural heritage transmission, yet how individuals visually represent their personal heritage online remains unexplored. This study investigates the visual patterns in personal heritage representation across digital platforms, examining whether platform affordances or demographics influence these patterns. Through the LAVIS multimodal AI system, we analyzed 588 heritage images from Instagram and “Personas y Patrimonios”, combining automated content, composition, color, and saturation analyses with human validation. Our findings revealed that intimate, portable objects—particularly jewelry (22.79%)—dominate personal heritage representations, with no content differences between platforms or genders. Small but statistically significant platform differences emerged in color patterns (Cohen’s d = −0.215) and compositional attention (Cohen’s d = 0.147), while gender showed no significant differences in any visual dimension. These findings may indicate that personal heritage representation follows universal visual patterns, emphasizing personal bonds that transcend both platform affordances and demographic differences. These results advance understanding of personal digital heritage communication by identifying the universal patterns in its visualization. Beyond establishing a methodological framework for AI-assisted heritage image analysis, this research provides practical insights for heritage educators and digital platform designers while illuminating how biographical objects function in digital environments, ultimately underscoring the pivotal role of imagery in contemporary cultural transmission. Full article

Historic buildings are often assumed to have poor energy performance, and energy optimization of the buildings is perceived as threatening their cultural values. This study tests these assumptions. First, it examines the energy performance of Danish historic apartment buildings (buildings constructed before 1950 with a high preservation value, according to the national SAVE system (Survey of Architectural Values in the Built Environment)). Second, it assesses the extent to which the energy improvements in the historic buildings conflict with their historic value. An analysis of energy performance certificates (EPC) in 13,000 Danish historic apartment buildings reveals that they perform no differently than apartment buildings with a low preservation value, with 46% of historic apartment buildings achieving an EPC rating of “C”. Nevertheless, significant potential for further energy improvements is identified. Expert interviews and three case studies indicate that typical interventions for enhancing buildings’ energy performance rarely interfere with its historic values. This is partly due to structural conditions where shoulder-by-shoulder location, high building compactness, and supply with district heating gives a beneficial foundation for a high energy performance. Potential conflicts between energy improvements and historic values exist but are often resolved through dialogue between local authorities and owners about the interventions. Full article

Chimneypieces, washbasins, well heads, and sinks by Andrea Palladio represent refined design works following architectural systems on a reduced scale, even if systematic documentation and analysis of them is still limited. This paper introduces the custom knowledge-based Information System (IS) developed to study the design patterns and proportional relationships of these microarchitectures, after their digitization. The research employed smartphone-based photogrammetry to replicate fifty-seven chimneypieces and additional microarchitectures across twenty historical buildings; digital models were collected and organized into the IS enabling systematic typological and dimensional analysis. Proportional deepening revealed recurring ratios consistent with Renaissance treatise recommendations, alongside systematic variations suggesting design flexibility within theoretical frameworks. The IS integrates 3D architectural models by metadata attributes, providing a replicable framework for heritage documentation that combines scholarly rigor with technological accessibility. This approach offers new insights into Palladian design principles while establishing a scalable model for architectural heritage documentation and analysis. Full article

Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled the creation of AI-generated characters modeled after historical figures, offering new opportunities for reflective and interactive engagement in both cultural heritage and education. This study explores the development and evaluation of a large language model representation of Joseph Lister (1827–1912), a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, within a retrieval-augmented generation framework. The purpose was to examine the model’s accuracy, authenticity, and reliability, highlighting challenges, best practices, and ethical considerations. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, including Lister’s writings, the model was constructed using OpenAI’s GPT-4o and refined through iterative validation. Prompts were categorized by cognitive complexity, and responses were evaluated against historical materials. The findings revealed a strong fidelity to Lister’s voice, with appropriate tone, diction, and temporal limits. Moreover, the model demonstrated behavioral control, reflective depth, and consistency across the different prompts. However, minor lapses in temporal framing and occasional embellishments were noted. The findings suggest that, when developed with care, AI-generated characters can support ethically grounded, historically sensitive learning experiences. At the same time, this approach warrants continued scrutiny and underscores the need for further interdisciplinary research and responsible implementation. Full article

Despite its foundational role in the social sciences, “culture” remains a persistently ambiguous concept. This is a perennial obstacle to communicating the broader value of our work to the public and policy-makers, and particularly in clarifying its relevance to contemporary challenges. Building on our previous work, we propose a new framework defining culture as a system of adaptive information-processing. We re-frame culture not as a collection of beliefs or behaviors but as the structured organization of social information. We argue that culture consists of dynamic structural moments—norms as social information, normativity as allostatic convergence, and institutions as stabilizing homeostatic infrastructures. Integrating insights from statistical mechanics, information theory, and cultural evolution, we define culture as the unique configuration of moments across a population’s information landscape. This allows for both social change and cultural continuity by treating culture as a collective adaptation for the homeostatic convergence of lower-order allostatic information. Our model addresses the conceptual vagueness that has hindered empirical and theoretical progress across social sciences and heritage practice. In doing so, we offer a rigorous, scalable definition of culture as a multilevel, emergent, and adaptive system that can inform both sustainable policies and comparative research. Full article

Dolpo is a culturally Tibetan region in the inaccessible parts of the Himalayas, where Buddhist and Bon traditions coexist to this day. Due to their religious significance, the temples and monasteries of Dolpo reflect the historical connection to the religious centres of the Tibetan area. Accordingly, a holistic documentation of the preserved buildings can provide new insights for the development of typologies of Buddhist architecture in the Western Himalayas. To shed light on the mainly undocumented Buddhist architecture of this region, we launched our first research project in 2018. As a result, the architectural documentation of eighteen Buddhist sites in Dolpo is now available for the first time, based on the on-site assessment and survey during four field missions between 2018 and 2023. It provides an overview of the location, descriptions and references, photographs, sets of plans and 3D models of the surveyed buildings, enabling an inventory of the region’s cultural heritage to be initiated. The results enable us to establish a comprehensive typology of Buddhist architecture in Dolpo that allows for comparative analyses with buildings already documented in previous projects. Last but not least, the documentation provides the basis for much-needed restoration work. Full article

Freshwater environments of large protected areas such as national parks and biosphere reserves concentrate a significant amount of natural heritage. An active release of mercury (Hg) to the global environment may challenge the state of this heritage. The present work synthesizes tentatively the information on Hg-enrichment in freshwater environments of large protected areas. A major bibliographical database was used to find the related literature (articles in international journals), which then was filtered to leave only the most relevant sources. Their content was analyzed to extract the necessary information. This bibliographical survey permitted us to find a few dozen examples of protected areas with freshwater environments enriched in mercury and methylmercury. These areas are present in the different parts of the world, and most commonly the Americas. The researchers paid more attention to mercury in biota than in water and sediments. The reported factors of Hg-enrichment differ, with the prevalence of those anthropogenic. The role of volcanism and long-distance dispersal of mercury by air and water is also significant. Interpreting the examples faces various uncertainties, but it is generally clear that Hg-enrichment can be regarded as a potential threat to natural heritage of protected areas on the global scale. It is proposed that Hg-hotspots (e.g., in Nova Scotia in Canada and Patagonia in Argentina) are rare phenomena constituting a new category of heritage. This interpretation extends the vision of the overall natural heritage of national parks and biosphere reserves. Several recommendations to natural heritage management in large protected areas with Hg-enriched freshwater environments are specified. Full article

This article explores the converging challenges and opportunities at the intersection of underwater cultural heritage, digital archaeology, and participatory science. In an era of accelerated climate change, data fragmentation, and rapid technological advancement, underwater archaeology is being reshaped by the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GAI), FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data governance, and the growing role of public archaeology. We argue for an ethical and epistemologically inclusive framework that recognizes the importance of co-authorship, data transparency, and multisensory narratives in interpreting submerged sites. Drawing on case studies from Latin America and Europe, this article demonstrates how socio-technical networks, collaborative models, and culturally sensitive ontologies offer a pathway toward a decolonized, accessible, and sustainable archaeology. This paper concludes with recommendations for integrated public policy and citizen-driven heritage protection, highlighting digital archaeology’s transformative potential in the Anthropocene. Full article

This article proposes a comparative framework for interpreting architectural and armorial artefacts through morphological and symbolic analysis. Focusing on the Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance periods, the study explores how buildings and body armour—though differing in scale and function—encode similar cultural values related to protection, identity, and representation. Rather than seeking direct historical transmission, the research reveals convergent design logics shaped by shared symbolic imperatives. Methodologically, the article combines typological comparison with embodied heritage practices. These include experimental reconstruction, traditional stone carving, and field-based conservation conducted through the Ambulance for Monuments (Ambulanța pentru Monumente) programme. Such experiences support a situated understanding of proportion, articulation, and material behaviour in both architecture and armour. By repositioning historical armour as a culturally meaningful artefact rooted in craft knowledge and symbolic logic, the study contributes to current debates in heritage science. It argues for the inclusion of martial objects within broader frameworks of heritage interpretation. The findings highlight how architecture and armour function as co-expressive elements of a shared design culture, offering new insights for research, conservation, and the communication of historical meaning. Full article

Cultural heritage (CH) relics are irreplaceable records of human civilization, encompassing diverse historical, technological, and artistic achievements. Extracting their structural and compositional information without affecting their physical integrity is a critical challenge. This review summarizes recent advances in non-destructive techniques (NDTs) for CH analysis and emphasizes the balance between the depth of analysis and conservation ethics. Techniques are broadly categorized into spectrum-based, X-ray-based, and digital-based methods. Spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provide molecular-level insights into organic and inorganic components, often requiring minimal or no sampling. X-ray-based techniques, including conventional and spatially resolved XRD/XRF and total reflection XRF (TRXRF), provide powerful means for crystal and elemental analysis, including in situ pigment identification and trace material analysis. Digital-based methods include high-resolution imaging, three-dimensional modeling, data fusion, and AI-driven diagnosis to achieve the non-invasive visualization, monitoring, and virtual restoration of CH assets. This review highlights a methodology shift from traditional molecular-level detection to data-centric and AI-assisted diagnosis, reflecting the paradigm shift in heritage science. Full article

In recent decades, the European policy on material cultural heritage (MCH) has shifted from a primary focus on preserving heritage elements to emphasizing the value that can be derived from them. This trend has led to an interest in quantifying the impact of cultural heritage on economic activity. However, determining the magnitude of this impact is not feasible without first defining the range of activities included in the MCH sector. This article reports the findings of a study to delineate the MCH sector. Combining a tight alignment with economic statistics categories and explicit endorsements from sector experts, the novelty of this delineation lies in the systematic application of the principle of exhaustiveness—recognizing all activities related to MCH regardless of their artistic, historical, or cultural content—while its practicality is ensured by mapping directly onto the categories used to compile European official statistics. Finally, characterizing the activities that constitute the MCH sector is not merely a conceptual exercise, it has direct practical implications, providing the indispensable basis for rigorous sectoral accounting consistent with national accounts standards. Full article

Calculus deposits of individuals unearthed from Torre Velha (TVCA) and Mós (MOTM), Necropolis, were analyzed to obtain insights about diet, crop cultivation, and plant use. All samples (n = 11) revealed micro-remains, including starch grains, pollen grains, fungal spores, and sclerenchyma fibers. Starch grains were detected in all studied specimens, belonging mostly to wheat and rye, with fewer to barley and various pulses, with fava beans being the most relevant. Mós samples also showed evidence of millets and pollen grains. These include genera with known medicinal properties, suggesting their intentional use for medical purposes. Fungal spores were isolated from samples of both sites, with higher yield in Mós. A major diversity of micro-remains was obtained in Mós individuals, although any differences must be interpreted with caution. The present work is the first to provide insights into the medieval diet in the Northeast region of Portugal through dental calculus analysis and, when combined with written sources, it contributes to the knowledge of the cultural heritage of the Middle Age diets. Full article

This paper examines how 360-degree panoramic tours can enhance heritage promotion, accessibility, and engagement, illustrated through two case studies: the Understory Art and Nature Trail in Northcliffe and the Subiaco Hotel in Perth, Western Australia. The Understory Art Trail was deployed in Google Street View to deliver an interactive, virtual walkthrough of outdoor art installations. This made the site accessible to a geographically diverse global audience, including those unable to visit in person. In contrast, the Subiaco Hotel tour was created with 3DVista. It integrated multimedia features such as historical photographs, architectural drawings, and narrative audio, offering users a layered exploration of built heritage. The two studies were designed so that frameworks like Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) could be applied to them to evaluate visitor experience. However, this paper focuses on the workflow for providing 360-degree panoramic tours, the integration of AR, low-cost digital twins, and the testing of interactive web platforms. Google Street View demonstrates ease of use through familiar navigation, while 3DVista reflects usefulness through its richer interpretive features. By analyzing workflows and digital strategies on both platforms, the study evaluates their effectiveness in increasing online visitor engagement, supporting heritage tourism, and communicating cultural significance. Challenges related to technical limitations, geolocation accuracy, audience targeting, and resource constraints are critically discussed. The findings demonstrate that context-sensitive applications of 360-degree tours are valuable for visibility, education, and long-term preservation. The paper concludes with targeted recommendations to guide future heritage projects in leveraging immersive digital technologies to expand audience engagement and support sustainable heritage management. Full article

Religious panel paintings (icons) play a pivotal role in the rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church. However, their continuous use often results in physical degradation, prompting remedial interventions. Quite commonly, alterations were treated by simply applying new paint layers directly over the decayed original, while in some cases, old icons were overpainted merely as a means to renovate and modernize them. Therefore, numerous overpainted icons are currently housed in churches, museums, and private collections across Greece. This study focuses on the investigation of a post-Byzantine icon of Christ Pantokrator, which displays extensive overpainting while retaining a few visible fragments of the original composition. The objective was to assess the extent and condition of preservation of the original artwork, to identify materials and techniques used both in the initial painting and in subsequent restoration phases, and to distinguish between those phases. To achieve these aims, a fully non-invasive diagnostic methodology was implemented, including visible light photography, ultraviolet radiation imaging (UVR/UVL), hyperspectral imaging (MuSIS HS), infrared reflectography (IRRef), X-ray radiography, and macroscopic X-ray fluorescence scanning (MA-XRF). The findings confirm that the original painting remains substantially preserved and is of high artistic quality. Moreover, analysis revealed at least two distinct phases of overpainting, likely dating from the 20th century, while the results suggest that the original artwork probably dates to the first half of the 18th century. The study highlights the need to use complementary techniques in order to non-invasively assess complex artifacts like overpainted icons and offers valuable insights into historical restoration practices providing foundation for future conservation planning. Full article

Leopold Blaschka (1822–1895) and his son Rudolf (1857–1939) created scientifically accurate glass models of marine invertebrates that reshaped natural history education in the 19th century. Their work overcame the limitations of traditional preservation techniques, allowing for detailed and lifelike representations of soft-bodied sea creatures and botanic species. Today, their models are preserved in prestigious collections worldwide. This paper examines not only the historical and artistic significance of the Blaschka models but also presents the findings of recent material analyses, including computed tomography (CT), scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS), visible ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The multi-analytical approach allowed for the characterization of the chemical composition of the glass and adhesives used, shedding light on the Blaschkas’ unique manufacturing processes and material choices. Data from this study demonstrate how the combination of a multi-analytical approach with knowledge of historical glassmaking practices can provide a solid foundation for both conservation efforts and further academic investigation into these composite objects. The study underscores the models’ value not only as artistic masterpieces but also as technological artifacts, offering insights into 19th-century scientific craftsmanship at the intersection of art and biology. Furthermore, the study presents a conservation intervention based on scientific evidence and a skilfully tailored solution, chosen piece-by-piece, part-by-part of the intricate glass models. Full article