Multimodal Imaging and Non-Invasive Analysis for Cultural Heritage: From Diagnostics to Conservation Decision-Making

Dear Colleagues,

The study and preservation of cultural heritage increasingly rely on the ability to interrogate objects without altering or damaging them. Over decades, two foundational facts have become evident. First, spectral imaging provides spatially accurate information across the entire object, overcoming potential representation drawbacks introduced by point analysis. Second, no single imaging technique can capture the full complexity of heritage objects. The multimodal approach is therefore essential.

This Special Issue, “Multimodal Imaging and Non-Invasive Analysis for Cultural Heritage: From Diagnostics to Conservation Decision-Making”, focuses on techniques such as reflectance spectral imaging, terahertz time-domain imaging, optical coherence tomography, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping, and infrared reflectography. When integrated, these modalities produce cross-validated datasets that move beyond single-technique limitations, enabling more confident diagnostics and more informed conservation decisions—and are often supported by complementary non-invasive point analysis.

We invite contributions that explore the development, integration, and application of multimodal imaging-based workflows for paintings, manuscripts, archaeological objects, wall paintings, stained glass, metals, and stone heritage. In particular, this Special Issue welcomes research on the following topics:

- Multimodal imaging workflows integrating complementary techniques (e.g., reflectance spectral imaging, terahertz imaging, OCT, XRF mapping, infrared reflectography) and non-invasive point analysis;

- Data fusion and machine learning-assisted interpretation of spectral imaging data, including automated material mapping and degradation pattern recognition;

- Portable instrumentation and in situ or in-transit imaging systems;

- Case studies demonstrating how multimodal imaging data inform specific conservation actions (e.g., detecting previous restorations, mapping material vulnerability, guiding cleaning interventions, assessing environmental risks);

- Translation of imaging results into measurable conservation or art-historical outcomes;

- Ethical reflections on decision-making involving both imaging and non-invasive point analysis.

By bridging advanced diagnostics and practical heritage management, this Special Issue seeks to establish best practices and foster interdisciplinary dialogue. We welcome heritage scientists, conservators, curators, and imaging specialists to contribute their research and help shape a future where non-invasive multimodal imaging becomes a standard pillar of responsible cultural heritage stewardship.

Dr. Sotiria Kogou
Dr. Wei Liu
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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 1800 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.

• multimodal imaging
• non-invasive analysis
• cultural heritage diagnostics
• conservation decision-making
• machine learning