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Heritage
Special Issues
Heritage Materials Matter: Recent Perspectives in Diagnostics and Conservation
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Heritage Materials Matter: Recent Perspectives in Diagnostics and Conservation

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1339

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Paolo Piccardo

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Guest Editor
M.E.T.A.L. Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy
Interests: metallurgy; archaeology; art history; chemistry; characterization of metals; history of manufacturing techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Roberto Spotorno

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Guest Editor
M.E.T.A.L. Research Group, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genoa, Italy
Interests: materials science; electrochemistry; corrosion and protection; non-ferrous metals; manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pietro Marescotti

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Guest Editor
Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Europa, 26 , I-16132 Genoa, Italy
Interests: applied mineralogy; mineral pigments; mortars; plasters
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to introduce our Special Issue dedicated to materials in cultural heritage from the perspective of conservation science. The witnesses of the past are all around us and are eager to teach us more about our history; thus, we should focus on understand their voices. The cultural heritage domain is a common playground for experts in antiquity and art history and representatives from different science and technology fields. Its natural transdisciplinarity is obvious and important for deeply understanding our past, vast artistic expressions, and the material and immaterial fingerprints left behind us.

This Special Issue invites research studies on cultural heritage materials that contribute to a better understanding of materials used for manufacturing objects of  cultural and/or artistic importance and their interaction with the environment (during their “active life”, when they are abandoned, and after their rediscovery). In other words, all research studies submitted should aim at improving knowledge regarding heritage materials and their behaviors. Conservation and restoration science is an open and vibrant discipline that we aim to promote intensively as part of the current EMDM project CORES, in which a joint master's degree is being developed.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: archaeometry, datation, materials science applied to cultural heritage, convervation science, degradation of materials related to heritage,  stabilization and preservation techniques, and the development and application of innovative diagnostic methodologies and advanced convervation techniques. Case studies from the above mentioned fields are also encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Paolo Piccardo
Dr. Roberto Spotorno
Dr. Pietro Marescotti
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

  • conservation science
  • archaometry
  • materials science
  • degradation of materials
  • techniques of restoration
  • musealization
  • diagnostics applied to CH

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 19273 KB  
Article
Deciphering Photographic Papers: Material Insights into 20th-Century Ilford and Kodak Sample Books
by Laura-Cassandra Vălean, Sílvia O. Sequeira, Susana França de Sá and Élia Roldão
Heritage 2025, 8(9), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8090361 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 345
Abstract
Fiber-based black-and-white developing-out papers (DOPs) were among the most widely used photographic supports of the 20th century. Their broad use, structural complexity, and range of surface finishes, alongside evolving manufacturing practices, underscore the importance of understanding their material composition for authentication, dating, and [...] Read more.
Fiber-based black-and-white developing-out papers (DOPs) were among the most widely used photographic supports of the 20th century. Their broad use, structural complexity, and range of surface finishes, alongside evolving manufacturing practices, underscore the importance of understanding their material composition for authentication, dating, and conservation purposes. This study presents a multi-analytical characterization of three DOP sample sets: two from Ilford (ca. 1950) and one from Kodak (1972), complementing previous research with a deeper insight into general features, stratigraphy, and composition. Initial non-sampling techniques, including thickness measurements, colorimetry, optical microscopy, and UV–visible induced fluorescence, were used to classify papers into visually and physically distinct groups. This informed a targeted sampling strategy for further stratigraphic and compositional analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, and fiber/pulp identification tests. Significant differences were observed in base tint, surface gloss, optical brightening agents, fillers, and fiber content. Notable findings include the presence of iron (III) oxide–hydroxide pigment in Ilford cream papers, anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) in a baryta-less Ilford sample, and the shift to more uniform tones and mixed pulps in Kodak papers by the 1970s. These results offer valuable insights into historical manufacturing and support improved dating and characterization of photographic papers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials Matter: Recent Perspectives in Diagnostics and Conservation)
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Review

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41 pages, 5702 KB  
Review
Recent Progress on Corrosion Behavior, Mechanism, and Protection Strategies of Bronze Artefacts
by Hongliang Li, Zilu Zhang, Hanjie Guo, Chao Ren, Chunyan Liu and Li Xiang
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080340 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 846
Abstract
With their rich historical, artistic, and scientific value, bronze artefacts form a significant part of our cultural heritage. These items, often found in museums around the world, offer a glimpse into past civilizations and their technological advancements. However, due to their prolonged burial [...] Read more.
With their rich historical, artistic, and scientific value, bronze artefacts form a significant part of our cultural heritage. These items, often found in museums around the world, offer a glimpse into past civilizations and their technological advancements. However, due to their prolonged burial and subsequent exposure to varying environmental conditions, these artefacts are prone to corrosion, necessitating meticulous preservation efforts. This review discusses the cultural significance and preservation challenges of bronze artefacts, which are emblematic of human civilization’s progression. This text highlights the historical and artistic value of ancient bronze artefacts, especially those from China, underscoring their intricate casting techniques and aesthetic richness. Despite their cultural importance, these bronze artefacts confront severe preservation issues, particularly the pervasive threat of corrosion, commonly referred to as “bronze disease”. This text also reviews the complex interplay between alloy composition, microstructure, and environmental factors that influence corrosion mechanisms. It requires an enhanced understanding of these factors to develop effective preservation strategies. This paper also emphasizes the need for innovative, eco-friendly technologies to prevent further degradation while maintaining the integrity of these precious artefacts. The applications of corrosion inhibitions, organic/inorganic coatings, as well as the newly developed strategies like the photo-induced passivation technique, 3D scanning and 3D printing techniques, and holographic projection/real and virtual technique for the direct or indirect protection and cultural transmission of the bronze artefacts were also introduced. This review concludes by underscoring the urgency of these research and development efforts to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials Matter: Recent Perspectives in Diagnostics and Conservation)
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