Heritage

The 2018 Lombok (Indonesia) earthquake caused widespread destruction, significantly affecting both infrastructure and the socio-cultural fabric of local communities. While rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts primarily focus on restoring physical assets, the social and cultural dimensions critical to fostering community resilience are often overlooked. This research explores the concept of Cultural Resilience in promoting post-disaster recovery, with a particular focus on the Sasak Tribe in Lombok. By examining how cultural values, practices, and social networks contribute to adaptive capacity, the study seeks to integrate cultural resilience into disaster recovery strategies. The research employs a mixed-method approach, involving the identification of key characteristics of cultural resilience, mapping the levels of resilience within the community, and analyzing the social networks of cultural actors involved in post-disaster recovery. Through this, a “Build-Back Better” scenario is developed, which aligns rehabilitation plans with local cultural values. The findings are expected to enhance culture-based resilience and offer policy implications for more holistic disaster recovery interventions that strengthen both physical and cultural aspects of community resilience.) Full article

Folk art includes objects that are items for everyday use and, at the same time, gracefully reflect the Greek artistic point of view, drawing its inspiration from life itself, the environment and its beauties, and local tradition. An 18th c. wood-carved and painted chest coming from the famous wood-carved centers of Epirus in Greece is presented in this study. As the number of studies and the general bibliographical references are limited for these kinds of items, prior to interventive conservation, a protocol of analysis was followed to identify the damages, the construction materials, and previous alterations. The main goal of this study is to identify the component materials using non-destructive techniques. The methodology followed for the documentation of the artifact includes the following: a. digital microscopy to identify damage from insects, different cracks and losses on the gesso and paint surface, corrosion products, etc.; b. 3D imaging using a polycam, with special attention given to the inside decoration of the cap; c. IR and UV photography to identify any previous alterations or signs of alterations in the varnish layers; d. and XRF analysis to identify the three (3) main colors of the chest, such as the blue used extensively as a background, red, and white. Nevertheless, the Greek folklore painting palette is limited, and for this reason, this study can be a foundation for research on similar artifacts. Full article

The conservation of historic tapestries is crucial due to the fragility of their materials and their cultural relevance. This paper reports on an investigation into the development of HeriTex, a non-invasive, innovative system for evaluating the structural integrity of historic tapestries, with a particular focus on measuring material loss. The research analyzed the relationship between transmitted infrared radiation and the weight loss per unit area (expressed in g/cm²) in the weakened areas of the tapestry. As a necessary first step, the system was calibrated using a limited range of wool thread weights before conducting experimental measurements on a historic tapestry fragment provided by the Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid. The investigation demonstrated a strong correlation between the transmittance values and the loss of material weight per unit area. The results showed that the transmittance decreases exponentially as the weight per unit area increases. By applying a non-linear least squares (NLLS) fitting model, additional weight per unit area values in the tapestry were estimated based on their corresponding transmittance values. The HeriTex system enables the identification, quantification, and mapping of damage regions, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool for more accurate assessment of the condition of historic tapestries by providing quantitative data on their structural integrity. Full article

The conservation of experimental building materials that were introduced during the 20^th-century currently represents one of the main challenges in building restoration. Fair-faced concrete is especially affected by durability problems and requires careful assessment to implement effective conservation methods, even more so when the building has artistic and expressive value. In addition, the literature in this field is still limited and case studies are very rare. In this paper, the Partisan Ossuary Monument, a brutalist monument at the Certosa of Bologna, was studied and analysed in order to find the most effective restoration techniques, especially for its concretes, which have a particularly expressive texture. The aim was to combine both the preservation of the aesthetics and functional quality of the building with the use of existing technologies in this field. Firstly, archive research was carried out to discover the original building techniques and the materials used. The literature on the Monument was studied to unveil the expressive role given to the concretes’ surface finishing. Then, after an on-site investigation, all the materials used in the Monument and the degradation processes were analysed and mapped out. Significant samples of the Monument were manually collected whilst limiting invasiveness. Then, diagnostic tests were carried out to identify the causes of degradation and to comprehend the nature of certain superficial finishes. Several techniques were used, i.e., X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and FT-IR spectrometry. Finally, guidelines were drafted for possible future restoration, merging all the results from the previous phases of this study with compliance with heritage structures’ restoration requirements. Many technologies commonly used for the repair of concrete structures could not be applied to this Monument due to its features. Hence, new solutions were studied and proposed. The results obtained may contribute to an increased awareness of the need to restore 20^th-century heritage buildings in order to limit degradation and partial reconstruction. Many concrete heritage buildings of this period suffer from the same problems, and this paper could offer an important starting point for future research. Full article

Collecting institutions have a mandate to preserve and enable access to collections. Exhibition, which often involves object transit between cultural institutions, is an essential activity for many museums to achieve their missions. These activities introduce challenges for preservation, as objects are most susceptible to irreparable damage during these key time periods. Paper-based objects that are sensitive to changes in relative humidity (RH) are commonly enclosed in sealed frame packages (SFPs) to create microclimates. Twenty-six different SFP designs were investigated for their effectiveness at buffering against external RH changes. Following initial conditioning of paper-based objects and enclosure materials at 45% RH, data loggers were placed inside each SFP and exposed to 70% RH for 12 weeks. The internal responses of the SFPs to the external RH were quantitatively assessed, alongside qualitative assessments of material reusability. Results indicate that a polyethylene bag sealed around a frame package is a reusable alternative to SFPs. Bagging alone was capable of limiting the impact of high external RH from permeating to the object level for approximately three weeks. When exposure to elevated RH levels is expected to exceed three weeks, SFPs are effective microclimates under the proviso that they comprise glazing, a vapor-proof barrier, and a seal. Full article

Ethnographic sources from Finland and Estonia in the 18th to early 20th centuries often mention alder bark as a dye source. The bark of grey alder (Alnus incana) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa) was used to dye wool and linen yarns reddish, paint leather red, and darken linen fishing nets. These recipes were simple folk craft and are not represented in dye books. Combining various sources, a selection of ethnographic and historical recipes was reconstructed through dyeing experiments to deepen the knowledge of alder bark dyeing practices and to recreate a colour palette based on past recipes. To understand the properties of the alder bark dye, the dyed textile samples were tested according to the ISO standards for washing, rubbing, and light fastness, and colour was recorded with the CIELab values. Our results show that it was possible to obtain different shades of brown, reddish brown, and dark brown. The colour fastness of dyed wool samples was moderate or good. Slight colour changes in the washed samples compared to the untreated ones were observed, which can be due to the standard’s heavily alkaline detergent. Full article

This work concentrates on an experimental project for the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) inside a Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM) workflow. In particular, this evaluation was carried out by using open source solutions as concerns parametric modeling of BIM elements. This experimental test focuses on how Python scripts, generated by AI agents, can create parametric models for HBIM purposes and archaeology: starting from the archaeological plan, the parametric modeling of the Parthenon temple was carried out via a text-to-BIM workflow based on OpenAI and open source tools. The use of AI in generating these scripts can potentially automate and streamline the modeling process, making it more efficient and less prone to human error (or almost). FreeCAD, being a Python-based software, is identified as the perfect fieldwork for this test. Its open source nature allows extensive customization and experimentation, making it an ideal platform for integrating AI-generated Python scripts. In addition to proving a flexible and operative BIM platform, this approach could achieve the same results by parametric modeling via Python scripts generated by LLMs. By harnessing the power of LLMs, FreeCAD could serve not only as a robust BIM tool but also as a testbed for pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in the realm of parametric modeling and HBIM. This project opens new possibilities for automating the creation of detailed, accurate BIM models, ultimately contributing to the preservation and management of heritage buildings. Full article

The digitization of cultural and intellectual heritage is expanding the research scope and methodologies of the scientific discipline of Humanities. Culturally diverse epigraphic systems reveal a range of methodological impediments on the way to their integration into digital epigraphic data preservation systems—EAGLE and FAIR ontologies predominantly based on Greco-Roman cultural categorization. We suggest an interdisciplinary approach—drawing from Heritage Studies, Cultural Epistemology, and Social Semiotics—to ensure the comprehensive encoding, preservation, and accessibility of at-risk cultural artifacts. Heritage Studies emphasize inscriptions as material reflections of historical memory. Cultural Epistemology helps us to understand how different knowledge systems influence data categorization, while semiotic analysis reveals how inscriptions function within their social and symbolic contexts. Together, these methods guide the integration of culturally specific information into broader digital infrastructures. The case of Ukrainian epigraphy illustrates how this approach can be applied to ensure that local traditions are accurately represented and not flattened by standardized international systems. We argue that the same methodology can also support the digitization of other non-Greco-Roman heritage. FAIR Ontology and EAGLE vocabularies prioritize standardization and interoperability, introducing text mining, GIS mapping, and digital visualization to trace patterns across the vast body of texts from different historical periods. Standardizing valuable elements of cultural categorization and reconstructing and integrating lost or underrepresented cultural narratives will expand the capacity of the above systems and will foster greater inclusivity in Humanities research. Ukrainian epigraphic classification systems offer a unique, granular approach to inscription studies as a worthwhile contribution to the broader cognitive and epistemological horizons of the Humanities. Through a balanced use of specificity and interoperability principles, this study attempts to contribute to epigraphic metalanguage by challenging the monocentric ontologies, questioning cultural biases in digital categorization, and promoting open access to diverse sources of knowledge production. Full article

This paper presents an advanced hierarchical classification framework using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm to segment and classify large-scale point clouds of heritage buildings. By integrating the Uniclass classification system into a multi-resolution workflow, the research addresses key challenges in point cloud classification, including class imbalance, computational constraints, and semantic overlap at coarse resolutions. It adopts an experimental research design using the heritage case study from Royal Greenwich Museum in the UK. The findings demonstrate that industry classification systems and data taxonomies can be aligned with machine learning workflows. This study contributes to Heritage-Building Information Modelling (HBIM) by proposing optimised hierarchical structures and scalable machine learning techniques. The research concludes with recommendations for future research, based on the performance of the Random Forest technique, particularly in further developing AI applications within HBIM. Full article

The rise of digital heritage and immersive technologies like extended reality (XR) is reshaping how people experience culture and history. For older adults, these innovations offer exciting possibilities to explore and connect with their heritage in new ways. However, scientists and stakeholders still know little about how they engage with these technologies, what draws them in, what challenges they face, and how it impacts them emotionally and cognitively. This study aims to contribute to closing that gap by sharing insights from a survey on older adults’ interactions with digital heritage through XR. By exploring their experiences, we aspire to uncover the importance of making XR tools more accessible, intuitive, and meaningful for this audience. This article also highlights how older adults can contribute their rich perspectives to cultural heritage initiatives, enhancing not only their own engagement but the broader cultural narrative. Ultimately, this work calls for thoughtful design that ensures everyone, regardless of age, can connect with, and gain knowledge from the stories that shape our world. Full article

Since 2011, five of Austria’s 29 known prehistoric pile dwellings have been part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps”. These remarkable archaeological sites have been preserved for over 7000 years in lakes and moors. Due to their hidden location underwater or in the soil of bogs, the sites are inaccessible to the public, making it difficult to convey the full scope of this heritage. To address this, the national project “Surfaced—the digital pile dwellings” was launched, aiming to create a virtual bridge connecting the sites, collections, and exhibitions across Austria. It involved digitizing 500 objects, scanned in high resolution, and presenting them as 3D models in an open-access web application. The web application PfahlbauKompass allows users to explore these 3D models, view information about the artefacts and the sites, and create digital collections. It provides access to finds from national museums, regional heritage houses, and private collections. The project offers scientific potential as well as opportunities for virtual exhibitions and educational initiatives. It aims to preserve and visualize an essential part of Austria’s cultural heritage and was designed not only to archive finds but also to raise awareness of the hidden sites among the public. Full article

This work explores issues related to traditional heritage, its evolution, and its transmission within construction practices. It focuses on a case study concerning the reintroduction in Tamentit, an oasis in southwestern Algeria, of a nearly forgotten construction technique: the use of a local stone known as “Agharf”, composed of saline pebbles, bound or assembled with a clay mortar enriched with salt, allowing the construction of robust structures adapted to their environment. Traditionally used in certain specific areas of the Sahara, it was notably employed in isolated regions such as Siwa in Egypt. After a long period of disuse, this technique is experiencing a renewed interest and appears to be gradually reintegrating into the local practices of artisans. This raises several questions: What justifies the return of this technique? What role does contemporary society assign to it, and what actions are being taken to ensure its sustainability? Fieldwork, consisting of on-site observations and semi-structured interviews with artisans and master artisans, the ma‘alem, was conducted to analyze their perception of this heritage, to understand the tangible and intangible aspects of the construction process, and to explore the challenges related to its transmission. The interviews reveal that, despite the challenges and reservations expressed by the community, the Agharf remains for the artisans a symbol of identity and craftsmanship, far from being a lost intangible heritage. The conditions and benefits of its use are also discussed. Full article

Italy is internationally renowned for its cultural heritage, a testament to its rich history. Many of these structures, built before the advent of modern engineering principles, were constructed based on empirical knowledge and lack seismic design considerations, making them highly vulnerable to earthquakes. This vulnerability presents a significant challenge to preserving Italy’s architectural legacy. A notable example is Villa Vannucchi, located in the seismically active Vesuvius region. Given its historical and cultural significance, enhancing its structural resilience while preserving its architectural authenticity is imperative. This study investigates the seismic vulnerability of Villa Vannucchi through a comprehensive analysis of its structural deficiencies and proposes a targeted retrofitting strategy in accordance with the Italian Guidelines for Cultural Heritage (IGCH). The evaluation is conducted in three phases: 1 Preliminary structural assessment—Calculation of two critical safety factors to evaluate the villa’s overall stability. 2 Local collapse mechanism analysis—Examination of the structure’s susceptibility to localized failures. 3 Advanced computational modelling—Detailed simulations revealing critically low seismic coefficients. Based on these findings, a consolidation plan is developed, integrating traditional and minimally invasive techniques. Key interventions include reinforcing the masonry and reducing floor deformability to improve overall structural stability. The implementation of these retrofitting measures significantly enhances the villa’s seismic resilience, as evidenced by the increased safety coefficients. This reduction in vulnerability not only ensures the preservation of Villa Vannucchi, but also safeguards its cultural and historical legacy for future generations. Full article

In this paper, the acoustic characteristics of the most important rooms of the Royal Palace of Caserta are presented. The palace, built in the XVIII century as a residence for the King of Naples, consists of numerous rooms dedicated to court life. The acoustic properties of the rooms have been studied according to ISO 3382. For each room, the average values of reverberation time (T30), clarity (C80), definition (D50), and Speech Transmission Index (STI) are reported. The acoustic issues of the rooms are highlighted as the understanding of acoustics during the period in which the palace was constructed was limited. While the rudiments of Vitruvius’ theories were known, the good acoustics of the rooms resulted primarily from the intuition and experience of the architects who designed them. The building materials—marble and plaster—contribute to the long reverberation times in the rooms. Special attention was given to the elliptical vault where musicians were positioned, the Palatine Chapel, the theatre used for court entertainment, and the Royal Throne Room. The study applies methods and techniques already seen in the literature and already reported in other published papers. Full article

The discovery of an Aurignacian lithic assemblage along the northern coast of the Island of Lemnos in the northeastern Aegean Sea has opened new perspectives on the study of the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in this region. The site is located some 93 m from the present seashore. It was discovered in the summer of 2020, ca. 2 km west of the Pournias Bay. The lithics were exposed in a well-defined oval concentration, ca. 25 × 10 m wide, buried by a Holocene sand dune. They were uncovered following sand removal by a bulldozer for the construction of a parking lot. The knapped stones are made almost exclusively from hydrothermal siliceous rocks, a raw material available on the island. Raman spectroscopy and optical observations confirmed that this raw material is chalcedony. The surfaces of most artefacts are weathered due to deposition in an environment rich in marine salt, which does not preserve any organic material suitable for radiocarbon dating. The knapped stone assemblage consists of diagnostic artefacts, among which are different types of carinated end scrapers, cores, and a few bladelets. The discovery of an Aurignacian site plays an important role in the study of the Paleolithic peopling of Lemnos and the Northeast Aegean in general, a period that was previously known only through Epipaleolithic sites discovered and excavated mainly along the eastern coast of the island. Full article

A global survey was conducted in 2022 with the aim of identifying what professionals in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) expect from collection-based organisations (CBOs) and what their contribution to their preservation, management, and/or use could be. A total of 151 responses were obtained from the five UNESCO regions, the majority of whom were between 31 and 50 years of age, which is convenient when analysing the responses as they are active and belong to different creative sectors. The results are very positive, demonstrating that museum collections are didactic materials through which design students and CCI stakeholders learn to approach the past critically and creatively, create meaning, and co-create their future heritage. Likewise, the alliance of CBOs with the SDGs represents a key tool to experiment with and call for action to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda. The results enable CCIs to identify and bridge gaps in their role as creative developers, strengthening their collaboration with heritage organisations. This paper aims to show the results of the survey and the first actions aimed at developing meaningful, inclusive arts- and culture-based interventions to support sustainable development. Full article

This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT, in enhancing the conservation of Algeria’s architectural heritage. By analyzing photographs of historical monuments, the research evaluates ChatGPT’s ability to identify architectural styles, detect pathologies, and propose conservation strategies. The findings reveal that while ChatGPT demonstrates proficiency in recognizing architectural features and generating general descriptions, its accuracy in identifying specific pathologies remains limited, with a certainty rate of only 40%. The tool’s reliance on textual data rather than direct visual analysis, coupled with its inability to meet specific academic requirements such as word count and accurate referencing, underscores its current limitations. However, the study highlights the potential of AI to complement traditional conservation methods, particularly when integrated with comprehensive databases and expert validation. The research advocates for a hybrid approach, combining AI’s efficiency with human expertise, to address the challenges of heritage preservation in Algeria. This work contributes to the growing field of AI applications in cultural heritage, offering insights into both the opportunities and constraints of leveraging AI for sustainable monument conservation. Full article

With the Republic of Türkiye signing the “Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage” in 2006, awareness and sensitivity towards the safeguarding of cultural heritage has also begun to develop in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has close relations with the Republic of Türkiye. However, the intangible cultural heritage convention could not be signed in the TRNC due to political reasons, and this has led to a lack of sufficient change and awareness about it on the island. Regrettably, the limited number of academic studies carried out in universities in this field has proven to be inadequate in terms of creating general public awareness about the subject. However, the knowledge and experience of both the community and individuals working in this field are crucial for the safeguarding and sustainability of cultural heritage elements. In this context, this study collected the knowledge and opinions of personnel affiliated with the TRNC Ministry of Culture on the subject of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), and it investigated whether the adequacy of the personnel’s knowledge and opinions around cultural heritage had a direct impact on its safeguarding and sustainability. This research used a type of mixed method called “Convergent Mixed-Methods Design”. The sample of this research consisted of 30 personnel working in different units affiliated with the Ministry of Culture in Northern Cyprus. This study included personnel working in different units and positions affiliated with the ministry. An interview form was used to obtain the data that formed the basis of this research. The interview form consisted of 10 structured and 3 semi-structured questions prepared by the researchers. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis of the quantitative data, and content analysis was used in the analysis of the qualitative data. This study, which aimed to determine the knowledge and opinions of Ministry of Culture officials working in the TRNC regarding the safeguarding and transfer of intangible cultural heritage elements, revealed that the employees were not fully informed about the scope, objectives, and protection of ICH. Full article

This study investigates the deterioration of granite graffiti at the Philae Archaeological Site on Bigeh Island (Aswan, Egypt), attributed to Khaemwaset (1281–1225 BCE, 19th Dynasty). These graffiti, despite being carved into durable Aswan granite, are experiencing progressive degradation due to environmental and hydrological factors. This research aims to analyze the mineralogical and chemical transformations affecting the graffiti to provide a comparative assessment of submerged and unsubmerged granite surfaces. A multi-analytical approach was employed, combining petrographical examination, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to identify compositional changes and deterioration patterns. The results indicate mineralogical transformations in submerged and periodically exposed surfaces. The granite primarily consists of quartz, feldspar, and biotite, with notable alterations including kaolinization and illitization and dissolution of feldspar minerals and biotite oxidation. These processes are directly linked to prolonged exposure to fluctuating water levels and recurrent wet–dry cycles, which accelerate granular disintegration, exfoliation, and surface loss. Additionally, salt crystallization, particularly halite, contributes to granite weathering, while sulfate interactions promote chemical weathering. In addition, biofilm colonization, facilitated by high moisture retention, further exacerbates surface deterioration by producing organic acids that weaken the mineral matrix. Finally, the results confirm the need for conservation interventions to mitigate ongoing damage. Full article