Interdisciplinary Applications of Spectroscopic Techniques for Heritage Conservation
A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 22
Special Issue Editors
2. Laboratório José de Figueiredo (LJF), Museus e Monumentos de Portugal, E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: onservation–restoration; history of art; Portuguese painting (15th–17th centuries); heritage sciences; digital heritage; preventive conservation; museology; artistic techniques
Interests: X-ray spectrometry; non-destructive analytical techniques; trace elements research; microanalysis in cultural heritage
Interests: X-ray fluorescence; gilding thickness determination; Raman microscopy; ivory analysis; portable systems; remote probes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue invites contributions that showcase recent advances in the application of spectroscopic techniques to the conservation and study of cultural heritage. Spectroscopy has become an indispensable tool in the characterization of heritage materials, enabling non-invasive or minimally invasive analyses that preserve the integrity of invaluable artifacts. Techniques such as Raman, FTIR, UV–vis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), among others, offer unique insights into material composition, degradation pathways, and historical technologies.
We invite contributions that demonstrate the power of spectroscopy to address challenges across a wide range of heritage contexts, from artworks and archaeological finds to architectural elements and archival documents. Of particular interest are interdisciplinary approaches that integrate spectroscopic data with complementary methodologies such as imaging, chemometrics, digital modeling, and artificial intelligence. Contributions may focus on novel analytical protocols, portable or in-situ instrumentation, multimodal strategies, or case studies that emphasize the role of spectroscopy in guiding conservation decisions and historical interpretation.
This Special Issue aims to highlight not only technical innovation but also the collaborative frameworks—linking physicists, chemists, conservation scientists, curators, and heritage professionals—that drive forward the field of heritage science. Submissions addressing methodological standardization, ethical considerations in sampling and analysis, and the translation of spectroscopic findings into conservation practice are particularly encouraged. By bringing together diverse perspectives and methodologies, this Special Issue will reflect the evolving landscape of spectroscopic applications and promote integrated, sustainable approaches to heritage conservation.
Dr. Vanessa Henriques Antunes
Prof. Dr. Maria Luísa Carvalho
Dr. Sofia Pessanha
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cultural heritage
- spectroscopic techniques
- heritage conservation
- non-invasive analysis
- interdisciplinary research
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