Heritage

The fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral accentuated the sense that this architectural building is a symbol of unity and identity for the population. This symbol extends beyond its French and Christian origins, reflecting the universal nature of cultural heritage, which has the extraordinary ability to unite people across nations, transcending ideologies, religions, and political divisions. The reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral marks a profound milestone in the preservation of cultural heritage, embodying resilience, restoration, and the enduring significance of shared human history. This research examines the impacts of the restoration of the cathedral at national and global scales through the implementation of questionnaires to visitors to the cathedral’s inauguration. The restoration process, which gained extensive media coverage, not only revived the cathedral’s architectural grandeur but also sparked international discussions about heritage conservation. Through an analysis of the questionnaire results for different factors, this study highlights the complexities of managing a monumental heritage of this magnitude in a globalized world. It reflects the ethical, financial, and social challenges involved in major restoration projects, using Notre Dame as a paradigmatic example. The paper concludes that the reopening of the cathedral is not only a triumph of physical restoration but also a testament to humanity’s resilience in the face of adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations while fostering a sense of collective responsibility. Full article

Aviation heritage, though relatively recent in historical terms, constitutes an important and increasingly recognized component of urban cultural landscapes. This article explores how former airports and aviation-related infrastructure have been preserved, adapted, or commemorated in Berlin—a city with a uniquely complex aviation history shaped by political division, technological progress, and evolving urban needs. Based on a typology proposed by the author, the study analyzes five former airport sites in Berlin (Johannisthal, Staaken, Tempelhof, Gatow, and Tegel), employing historical research, field observations, and spatial analysis. The results reveal a wide spectrum of approaches to aviation heritage, ranging from complete erasure to creative reuse integrating ecological, recreational, educational, and symbolic functions. The study also highlights the role of aviation heritage in fostering local identity and contributing to sustainable tourism. The proposed typology may serve as a useful tool for assessing and managing aviation heritage in other urban contexts. Full article

This paper explores the evolution and contextual background of an 18th-century dyer’s manuscript originating in Antwerp, covering the period between 1778 and 1802. This manuscript offers a unique glimpse into the operational practices of a small enterprise specializing in red hues for a middle-class clientele. The manuscript includes dye recipes, accounting records, and business correspondence, along with dyed textile samples that provide a tangible connection between written instructions and their visual outcomes. Our study aims to go beyond content analysis to examine the manuscript as a dynamic document in which the dyer’s craft knowledge and experiential learning are visibly embedded. Unlike most available technical treatises, this manuscript appears to be an evolving draft marked by corrections and additions. This fluidity in structure sheds light on the process of knowledge formation and codification in the craft, aligning with devices of precise knowledge transmission and especially with the concept of “codification of error”¹—an approach developed within the artisan community to refine practices over time and theorized by Professor Sven Duprè. Through a selection of annotated pages, we highlight the manuscript’s traces of iterative thought and method development. We propose that these elements illustrate the dialectic between transmitted knowledge and individual experimentation, where mistakes, followed by correction, reflection, and refinement, play a central role. Additionally, we discuss the manuscript as evidence of the thin boundaries between practical trade knowledge and the field of scientific inquiry. Through the abovementioned and the comparison with contemporary manuals, this research positions the manuscript as a valuable case study in understanding craft knowledge evolution and its transmission within the historical context of 18th-century European textile dyeing. Full article

Flamenco, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, has aroused a growing interest as a pedagogical resource in the educational field. This systematic review analyzes its implementation in classrooms during the last decade (2014–2024), applying the PRISMA methodology to scientific articles extracted from Web of Science and Scopus. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria using the PICOS model, 23 peer-reviewed and open-access studies were selected. The results are grouped into five thematic lines: emotional and identity development; educational and social inclusion; heritage and cultural identity; methodological and technological innovation; and experiential learning. Qualitative approaches with case studies predominate, especially in Andalusian contexts. Relevant benefits are found in terms of inclusion, emotional expression and appreciation of cultural heritage. However, limitations persist, such as the lack of systematization, scarce specific teacher training and lack of longitudinal evaluations. Flamenco thus emerges as an educational tool with high transformative potential, although its incorporation is still ad hoc and dependent on individual initiatives. It is suggested that research with mixed approaches be encouraged, that its analysis be extended to other geographical contexts and that public policies be promoted to structurally integrate flamenco into educational systems. Full article

Geographic Information Systems and the use of thematic maps have become well-established tools in archaeology. However, not all the sectors of archaeology still take advantage of these technologies. One such sector is numismatics, where there are still relatively few works on the implementation of coin spatial databases and the related maps. This can be verified both in academic journals indexed in major scientific databases (such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) and in broader platforms like Google Scholar. In this paper, in an attempt to begin filling the gap, the methodology and results of the creation of the GIS and the Atlas of Antoniniani in Sicily are presented. The second half of the third century ASD is an interesting period because of the socioeconomic crisis that characterized it. The Atlas serves as a useful tool for providing a fresh new insight into the economy and coin circulation during this time. Full article

This study presents a digital forensic facial approximation of Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (ca. 907–935), based on photographs of the skull attributed to the saint, preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague. The skull was replicated through structural deformation using public domain images, adjusted to historical measurements, and enriched with anthropometric data. The facial approximation combined traditional techniques with statistical projections from tomography of living individuals, resulting in two versions: an objective one and another with artistic and more speculative elements based on historical descriptions. Comparisons with Petr Parler’s 14th-century statue and a previous reconstruction revealed structural consistency, suggesting the skull may have inspired the sculpture. This work contributes to humanizing historical figures and reinforces Wenceslas’s legacy as a Czech icon. Full article

This article sheds light on the historical dyeing traditions of rural inhabitants of the Eastern Baltic region. The 19th- and early 20th-century Estonian archival sources mention that rotted alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus Mill.) bark was used to dye woollen yarn red. The bark was rotted by leaving it outside for weeks or months before dyeing. Although dyeing red with alder buckthorn bark by fermenting it in wood ash lye is well known, the combination of rotting the bark and using the boiling method to dye red has not been reported. Practical experiments testing shorter and longer-term rotting of alder buckthorn bark both on and under the ground were conducted. Woollen yarns were dyed with rotted bark using the boiling method and were tested for lightfastness and alkaline pH sensitivity, and analysed using HPLC-DAD. The results show that rotting alder buckthorn bark has a strong effect on the achievable colours and that woollen yarns can be dyed different shades of red. The colours were sensitive to alkaline pH and their light fastness varied from very low to good. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the pretreatment of the bark affected not only the colour but also the dye composition of the dyed wool. Full article

With rapid urbanization and modernization, the deterioration of historical areas has become an increasing concern. While heritage-led regeneration has proven effective, most studies have focused on urban contexts. Rural traditional villages, particularly in developing countries such as China, face even greater challenges and remain understudied. This study addresses this gap by developing a framework for heritage-led rural regeneration, grounded in community-building theory and highlighting heritage capacity as a key driver of village revitalization. Using a two-round systematic literature review, 64 papers from Web of Science and Scopus were analyzed to construct the framework. It consists of two levels: a preliminary framework identifying five key dimensions—public participation, media platform construction, adaptive reuse, heritage industry development, and landscape maintenance—and an integrated framework further detailing 13 sub-dimensions within these areas. Expert interviews were then conducted to validate the framework and examine its practical implementation challenges and future development directions. This framework integrates community-building theory with heritage-led regeneration, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for revitalizing traditional villages in China and beyond. Full article

This article carries out an interdisciplinary analysis of five MOOC courses developed by the University of Valladolid and offered on higher education platforms between 2020 and 2024. This research is based on the study of the lexical categories used by the informants participating in these courses, establishing a correlation with the theoretical and practical debates surrounding the definition of heritage and the frameworks of contemporary heritage education. Through a metalinguistic approach, the semantic limits of the emerging lexical categories are examined, paying attention to their ambiguity, polysemy and contexts of use, both from a formal linguistic perspective and from a hermeneutic approach. The analysis is based on natural language processing tools, complemented by qualitative techniques from applied linguistics and cultural studies. This dual approach, both scientific–statistical and humanistically nuanced, allows us to identify recurrent discursive patterns, as well as significant variations in the conceptualization of heritage according to the socio-cultural and geographical profiles of the participants. The results of the linguistic analysis are contrasted with the thematic lines investigated by our research group, focusing on cultural policy, legacy policies, narratives linked to the culture of depopulation, disputed scientific paradigms, and specific lexical categories in the Latin American context. In this sense, the article takes a critical look at discursive production in massive online learning environments, positioning language as a key indicator of the processes of cultural resignification and the construction of legacy knowledge in the Ibero-American context. The findings of my scientific article underscore the pressing need for a multiform liberation of the traditionally constrained concept of heritage, which has long been framed within rigid institutional, legal, and disciplinary boundaries. This normative framework, often centered on materiality, monumentalism, and expert-driven narratives, limits the full potential of heritage as a relational and socially embedded construct. My research reveals that diverse social agents—ranging from educators and local communities to cultural mediators and digital users—demand a more flexible, inclusive, and participatory understanding of heritage. This shift calls for redefining legacy not as a static legacy to be preserved but as a dynamic bond, deeply rooted in affective, symbolic, and intersubjective dimensions. The concept of “heritage as bond”, as developed in contemporary critical theory, provides a robust framework for this reconceptualization. Furthermore, the article highlights the need for a new vehiculation of access—one that expands heritage experience and appropriation beyond elite circles and institutionalized contexts into broader social ecosystems such as education, digital platforms, civil society, and everyday life. This approach promotes legacy democratization, fostering horizontal engagement and collective meaning-making. Ultimately, the findings advocate for a paradigm shift toward an open, polyphonic, and affective heritage model, capable of responding to contemporary socio-cultural complexities. Full article

Hatchett’s Brown, also known as Van Dyck Rose, was a unique pigment used in the 19th century, discovered and described by Charles Hatchett in 1803. This article presents the results of research on the identification of this pigment in the works of Henryk Siemiradzki and a 17th-century painting that was overpainted in the 19th century. Advanced analytical techniques, such as XRF, SEM-EDS, and Raman spectroscopy, were used to analyze pigments from the painter’s palette and the paint layers. This study sheds light on the use of Hatchett’s Brown in painting and its potential impact on the interpretation of historical overpainting. Full article

In 1842, carpet manufacturer W.H. Worth of Kidderminster, England, began assembling a sample book of wool yarns dyed with natural dyestuffs. This paper reports on a study of the “Greens” section, which contains sixteen yarn samples—six still green and ten now ranging from tan to dark brown. The accompanying recipes list similar ingredients: old fustic and either “mixture” or extracet of indigo. To verify whether Worth’s recipes were followed, the yarns were analyzed using HPLC-DAD and FORS. Additionally, mock-ups were prepared according to Worth’s green dye recipes and subjected to thermal ageing to explore potential causes of discoloration. Preliminary analysis of the historic samples revealed that the discoloured yarns contain both indigo and indigo carmine, while the still-green samples contain only indigo carmine. This suggests that one or more components of the indigo vat may have contributed to discoloration. To test this hypothesis, contemporary wool yarns were dyed using a Worth green recipe, with and without indigo, at varying pH levels. These were thermally aged, and their colour changes monitored. HPLC-DAD and FORS analyses of the mock-ups were compared to the historic samples to identify dyeing conditions that may have led to the observed browning. Full article

This study aims to overcome the technical bottleneck of non-invasive differentiation between the rammed earth layer and pebble layer in complex shallow subsurface environments, particularly focusing on the challenge of detecting highly heterogeneous pebble layers with complex wavefield characteristics. Using the western city wall of the Baodun site (Xinjin, Sichuan, China) as a case study, we introduce a high-resolution seismic detection technique combined with controllable high-frequency seismic source excitation to investigate the response characteristics of high-frequency components and energy variations of seismic waves in different strata, thereby revealing differences in physical properties between the rammed earth layer and pebble layer. Through high-frequency data acquisition, specialized processing, and interpretative analysis of seismic data, we successfully distinguish the two strata and delineate pebble-related anomalous zones. The results also indicate that, due to complex geological conditions, the reflection and refraction patterns of seismic waves in the pebble layer are exceptionally intricate. Moreover, the interplay of abrupt seismic velocity variations, interference waves, and other contributing factors leads to pronounced heterogeneity and strong scattering characteristics in the seismic data across the time, frequency, and phase domains. This research overcomes the limitations of conventional geophysical methods and confirms the applicability of high-frequency seismic techniques to complex near-surface archaeological contexts. It provides robust scientific support for the archaeological study of the Baodun site and offers a methodological reference for subsurface mapping of pebble layer in prehistoric urban landscapes. Full article

Cultural heritage reflects accumulated memories, generational practices, and esthetic and cultural ideologies that shape identities. The inherent diversity and uniqueness of these identities define heritage elements, which, however, remain fragile, non-renewable, irreplaceable, and vulnerable. In regions affected by the significant devastation caused by contemporary socio-economic activities, policies often neglect the intrinsic historical and heritage value(s). The historical landscapes with tourism potential that experience decline, degradation, and destruction need even more protection and policies to aid their regeneration and preservation. This study seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for preserving a highly endangered historical road, along with its invaluable monuments and cultural landscapes, as a means to stimulate regional revitalization. The methodological approach relies on observation, field work, and semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive historical overview of the Estrada do Paraibuna (Paraibuna Road). This region has suffered significant degradation of its historical and natural assets as a result of intensive resource exploitation. This study underscores the heritage elements with strong tourism potential along the route between Ouro Preto and Barbacena, while underlining the critical need to combat landscape degradation. This study pursues to create a shared vision rooted in promoting sustainable practices that leverage natural and cultural resources, safeguard local culture, and encourage community collaboration in regenerative efforts. Full article

Toponyms reflect the multifaceted relationship between humans and nature, recording and transmitting important cultural information. A toponymic cultural landscape (TCL) is the comprehensive embodiment of the cultural connotations and landscape significance carried by toponyms, reflecting various factors such as regional culture, historical memory, and social values. Wuhan, as the hinterland of Jing-Chu culture, carries a profound geo-culture and brings together numerous toponymic cultural heritages. Studying the spatial distribution characteristics of Wuhan’s toponymic cultural heritage and their association with landscape elements is of great significance in promoting the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage and realizing the orderly continuation of local culture, and it also confers deeper cultural connotations and local characteristics to the process of landscape characterization. This study analyzes 3638 toponyms in Wuhan as the research objects, utilizing geospatial analysis methods, including kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse analysis, and average nearest neighbor analysis, to visualize the spatial distribution of Wuhan’s TCL. It further combines these methods with the optimal parameter geographic detector (OPGD) model to explore the influence of landscape elements on the spatial distribution of different types of toponyms and their interaction effects. The results show the following: (1) The TCL of Wuhan is divided into two basic types, the natural landscape (61.16%) and the humanistic landscape (41.37%), of which hydrological-related toponyms occupy a significant proportion, reaching 35.02% of the total number of toponyms in Wuhan. (2) The distribution of Wuhan’s TCL is characterized by aggregation, mostly in the core area of the city, with the Yangtze River as the main axis, and the density of the spatial distribution of humanistic landscape toponyms varies greatly. (3) The results of a single-factor analysis show that construction land (X2) is an important influencing factor in both natural and humanistic landscape toponyms, which indicates the central role of human activities in the formation of toponyms. (4) The explanatory power of the interaction effect of two factors on the spatial differentiation of Wuhan’s TCL is stronger than that of the single factors, which suggests that the spatial differentiation characteristics of the TCL of Wuhan are formed under the joint influence of the respective variables. Full article

This study introduces a pilot protocol for evaluating the environmental impact of materials used in the conservation of canvas paintings, applying a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) approach. There are five common treatment phases: disinfection, consolidation (including paint layer softening and stabilization), varnish removal, and retouching. These interventions were assessed across three scenarios: Baseline Scenario; Scenario 1, involving material substitution; and Scenario 2, focusing on process optimization. The analysis reveals that solvent-intensive phases, particularly paint softening with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and varnish removal using White Spirit and ethanol, have the highest environmental impacts, including climate change, ecotoxicity, and human toxicity. Biocidal treatments, although used in small quantities, also show significant toxicity impacts. Scenario 1 demonstrates that targeted substitution with lower-impact solvents can reduce key impact categories, while Scenario 2 indicates that operational improvements lead to more moderate but widespread benefits. The results confirm that even in specialized fields such as cultural heritage conservation, measurable environmental improvements are achievable through informed material choices and more efficient application practices. Full article

In the wake of the Holocaust and the post-war reconstruction of Greece’s historic city centers, many Greek synagogues were demolished, abandoned, or appropriated, erasing centuries of Jewish architectural and communal presence. This study presents a thirty year-long research and documentation initiative aimed at preserving, recovering, and eventually digitally reconstructing these “lost” synagogues, both as individual buildings and within their urban context. Drawing on architectural surveys, archival research, oral histories, and previously unpublished materials, including the recently rediscovered Shemtov Samuel archive, the project grew through the use of technology. Beginning with in situ surveys in the early 1990s, it evolved into full-scale digitally enhanced architectural drawings that formed the basis for further digital exploration, 3D models, and virtual reality outputs. With the addition of these new tools to existing documentation, the project can restore architectural detail and cultural context with a high degree of fidelity, even in cases where only fragmentary evidence survives. These digital reconstructions have informed physical restoration efforts as well as public exhibitions, heritage education, and urban memory initiatives across Greece. By reintroducing “invisible” Jewish landmarks into contemporary consciousness, the study addresses the broader implications of post-war urban homogenization, the marginalization of minority heritage, and the ethical dimensions of digital preservation. This interdisciplinary approach, which bridges architectural history, digital humanities, urban studies, and cultural heritage, demonstrates the value of digital tools in reconstructing “lost” pasts and highlights the potential for similar projects in other regions facing comparable erasures. Full article

The spatial arrangement, size distribution, and shape of internal pores in several archaeological ceramic vessels from the Akterek burial site at Zhambyl District of Almaty Region, Republic of Kazakhstan were studied using neutron tomography. The internal pores were segmented from the obtained neutron data and the porosity value for the ancient ceramic samples was calculated. Analysis of the structural tomography data showed that the ceramic materials contained a large number of relatively small pores, with an average diameter less than 1.5 mm, while some ceramic objects had larger pores or cavities exceeding 2 mm in diameter. In addition, there are differences in the morphological parameters of large and small pores. It was suggested that these large pores formed as a result of temperature changes during the firing of the pottery ceramics. The relative shifting of Raman peaks in the carbon group in amorphous carbon, as an indicator of the firing temperature of ceramic materials, confirms this assumption. Full article

A set of eleven luxury glass archaeological objects dated to the 3rd century (Roman period) and excavated in Troia, Portugal, were treated in order to restore their shapes and decorative features. In this paper, the different stages of the treatment are presented and discussed. The treatment phases—cleaning, fragments’ assembly, and development of support structures for the objects in need—had to be adapted and the treatment outline had to be revised along the process because of the heavily weathered glass that showed extreme fragility. The treatment highlights the internal support structures—consisting of thin and light structures built with thin canes of glass—that were developed in borosilicate glass for three of the archaeological objects, ensuring their physical stability for handling and future exhibition. The structures were then attached to the archaeological glass with Paraloid B72 adhesive. The treatment of these outstanding artefacts and, in particular, the development of these structures heavily depended on interdisciplinary and teamwork that resulted in the completion of the treatment for all objects ensuring their future exhibition. Full article

The interpretation of archaeological heritage encounters inherent challenges due to the fragmentation and contextual loss of the physical site. Virtual reality has emerged as an innovative medium for enhancing user engagement and promoting meaningful dissemination of culture. This exploratory study investigates the design and preliminary expert-based evaluation of arkeOyun, a virtual reality game created to better understand archaeological sites’ spatial and cultural significance, by sampling the Kültepe Archaeological Site. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of virtual game-based approaches in the dissemination of cultural heritage and user interaction, emphasising spatial clarity, narrative integration, and immersive engagement. Our study incorporates qualitative and quantitative methods, utilising concurrent think-aloud and heuristic evaluation with participants who were selected due to their expertise in heritage, design, and human–computer interaction domains. Participants engaged with arkeOyun via a head-mounted display, and their real-time comments and post-experience evaluations were systematically evaluated. Results indicate that although participants responded positively to the game’s immersive design, interface simplicity, and spatial organisation, notable deficiencies were seen in narrative coherence, emotional resonance, and multimodal feedback. Navigation and the presentation of informative content were seen as critical areas requiring improvement. The data triangulation revealed both consistent and varying assessments, highlighting the need for context-specific support, varied task structures, and emotionally compelling narratives for enhanced interpretation of cultural significance. The findings of our study illustrate the potential of virtual reality games as a medium for cultural heritage interpretation via arkeOyun. For experiences to evolve from immersive simulations to major interpretative platforms, it is vital to integrate narrative frameworks, multimodal scaffolding, and user-centred interaction tactics more deeply. The results of this exploratory pilot study present preliminary findings on integrating virtual reality games in archaeological heritage interpretation and contribute to further projects. Full article