Special Issues

Heritage publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Cultural Heritage: Restoration and Conservation
edited by Paola Pogliani and
submission deadline 20 Nov 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 3800 | Submission Open
Keywords: conservation; restoration; cultural heritage; diagnostic; enhancement; documentation; materials; technologies; methodologies; products
Towards Intelligent Digital Heritage: From Latest Digital Survey Techniques to Advanced 3D Data Analytics and Use
edited by , Stefano Campana and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 13515 | Submission Open
Keywords: 3D survey; photogrammetry; laser scanning; cultural heritage; AI  ; 3D data analytics
Revitalizing Heritage Places and Memories for Sustainable Tourism submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6143 | Submission Open
Keywords: heritage conservation and safeguarding; intangible cultural heritage preservation through tourism; regional development and cultural tourism; heritage valorization and territorial regeneration; cultural and heritage tourism; sustainable tourism; sustainable experiences; preserving authenticity; cultural traditions and practices; sustainable heritage uses; narratives; memories; and heritage sites; cultural preservation and community involvement; innovative interpretation and technology; memory and identity; governance and collaborative policies
The Past Has Ears: Archaeoacoustics and Acoustic Heritage
edited by
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4946 | Submission Open
Keywords: archaeoacoustics; intangible heritage; acoustic digital twins; soundscape; virtual reconstructions; musical heritage; acoustic heritage; experimental archaeology
Analytical Chemistry for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
edited by and Davide Tanasi
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4703 | Submission Open
Keywords: analytical chemistry techniques; archaeological material analysis; cultural heritage conservation; non-destructive testing methods; artifact provenance and authenticity; chemical characterization of archaeological objects; imaging and spectroscopy in archaeology; mass spectrometry in archaeology; degradation processes in cultural artifacts; interdisciplinary approaches
Advances in Non-invasive Multi-analytical Approaches for the Study of Painted Artworks
edited by Raffaella Fontana and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2493 | Submission Open
Keywords: non-invasive multi-analytical approaches; preventive interventions; atomic; molecular; and nanometer scale; micro- and macro-metric scale; cultural heritage; artwork conservation; materials of works of art
Smart Heritage: The Role of Heritage in the Cities of the Future
edited by Efstratios Stylianidis and
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 1443 | Submission Open
Keywords: metaverse; artificial intelligence; Internet of Things (IoT); extended reality (XR); tools and platforms for smart heritage; sustainable development and smart heritage; smart cities’ tourism and digital heritage; smart heritage and digital data reuse; smart cities; digital heritage; and ethics
Mass Spectrometric and Radiometric Analyses in Cultural Heritage Preservation
edited by Corina Anca Simion
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 247 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage preservation; archaeosciences; mass spectrometry; radiometric methods; stable isotopes analysis; carbon-14; lead-210; radon-222; carbon footprint; nanoplastics
Digital Museology and Emerging Technologies in Cultural Heritage submission deadline 20 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 9293 | Submission Open
Keywords: digital museology; experimental museology; virtual museums; digital heritage; 3D documentation; extended reality in museums; geospatial technologies for heritage; smart museums and IoT; big data for museums; artificial intelligence in museums; machine learning for heritage analysis; digital twin for museums; crowdsourcing cultural heritage; heritage data visualization; digital storytelling in museums; digital ethics in heritage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Museum and Heritage)
Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment
edited by Alexandra Rodrigues, Carla Machado, Fernanda Carvalho and Amanda Corrêa Pinto
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 16952 | Submission Open
Keywords: buildings preservation; built heritage materials; outdoor environment; heritage care indoors; heritage and environment; sustainable conservation; restoration materials and techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)
HBIM and Information Systems for Cultural Heritage Memory and Preservation
edited by , Virna Maria Nannei and Angelo Massafra
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 13118 | Submission Open
Keywords: HBIM; architectural heritage information systems; preventive conservation; CH monitoring; predictive heritage management; digital twins; heritage science; 3D data and semantics; scan-to-BIM; knowledge base systems
Virtual Anthropology. Digital Approaches for Paleoanthropology and Paleopathology
edited by Rosalie David and Jenefer Metcalfe
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 12862 | Submission Open
Keywords: palaeoanthropology; palaeopathology; ancient diseases; virtual anthropology; radiological/CT imaging; photogrammetry; 3D scanning; virtual reality; morphometrical analysis; digital facial reconstruction
Microclimate in Heritage
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 11887 | Submission Open
Keywords: microclimate; environmental conditions; temperature and humidity; solar radiation; pollution; heritage decay and conservation; showcases; microclimate painting frames
Deterioration and Conservation of Materials in Built Heritage
edited by and David Martín Freire-Lista
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 6778 | Submission Open
Navigating Indigenous Connections to Underwater Heritage in the Contemporary Era
edited by Ingrid Ward and Isabel Cartajena
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6407 | Submission Open
Keywords: underwater; submerged; marine; freshwater; cultural landscapes; Indigenous perspectives; Western Science; prehistoric; archaeology; policy development
(This special issue belongs to the Section Underwater Heritage)
YOCOCU2024 Ancient Traditions, Conservation Challenges and Future Scenarios for the Innovative and Green Protection, Enhancement and Fruition of Cultural Heritage submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 5678 | Submission Open
Keywords: conservation and restoration of cultural heritage; preservation of museum collections; investigations for cultural heritage; green conservation of cultural heritage; conservation of urban art; virtual restoration; conservation of digital art; risk assessment of cultural heritage and landscapes; entertainment for education; risk management for cultural heritage
Challenges and Advancements in the Cleaning, Conservation and Restoration of Archaeological Small Finds submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 5406 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural Heritage preservation; cleaning; consolidation; protection; advanced materials; small finds conservation
Non-Invasive Methods for Analysis and Diagnostic in the Field of Cultural Heritage
edited by and Giuseppe Politi
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5390 | Submission Open
Keywords: non-invasive methodology; ion beam analysis; X-ray fluorescence; multispectral and hyperspectral imaging; Raman spectroscopy; FTIR spectroscopy; neutron and X-ray radiography and tomography; X-ray diffraction
Palaeopathological Analysis Applied to Forensic and Archaeological Studies submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4040 | Submission Open
Keywords: human palaeopathology; animal palaeopathology; diseases origin; zoonosis; pathologies and culture
Technological Innovations in the Diagnosis and Rehabilitation of the Building Heritage
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 3570 | Submission Open
Keywords: chemical and engineering materials and technologies; environmental monitoring of monuments; virtual reality; digital heritage technologies; sustainability
(This special issue belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)
Futurescape of Heritage Preservation: Integrating AI, Digital Twins, and Multi-Scale Technologies for Cultural Sustainability
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2463 | Submission Open
Keywords: preventive preservation; cultural heritage digital twins; artificial intelligence in heritage conservation; multi-scale digitization; multi-modal data integration; non-destructive measurement techniques; sensor technologies for heritage sites; AI-driven decision support systems; climate change mitigation for cultural heritage; remote heritage asset management
Past for the Future: Digital Pathways in Cultural Heritage
edited by , Katherine Kelaidis and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2271 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; humanities; museums; history; archives; digital; virtual; visualizing interfaces
History, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
edited by Mariangela Vandini, and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 1788 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; heritage management; sustainable development; conservation; conservation science
Interpreting Past Landscapes: Current Challenges of LIDAR and Aerial Photogrammetry submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1729 | Submission Open
Keywords: LIDAR; aerial photogrammetry; archaeology; past landscapes; remote sensing; good practices; validation of archaeological evidence; landscape interpretation; historical and archaeological cultural dynamics
Applications of Raman Spectroscopy and X-Ray in Archaeological Research
edited by and Giovanna Fioretti
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1576 | Submission Open
Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; X-ray techniques; archaeology; cultural heritage; XRF; XRD; non-destructive analysis
Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Nexus of Diagnosis-Prevention-Sustainability
edited by , , Michael Turner and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1005 | Submission Open
Keywords: diagnostic study and decay diagnosis; preventive conservation; sustainable development; remote sensing; non-destructive testing; 3D modeling; GIS; conservation strategies; eco-friendly materials; energy-efficient materials
Remote Sensing for Monitoring and Impact Assessment of Climate Change and Natural Hazards on Geological and Cultural Heritage
edited by , and Maria Virelli
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 744 | Submission Open
Keywords: remote sensing; cultural heritage; landscapes management; vulnerability assessment; climate change; historic centers; geological hazard; archeological site; sea level rise; extreme events
New Advances in Biomolecular Approaches to Archaeological Heritage
edited by Antonella Pedergnana and Dries Cnuts
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 492 | Submission Open
Keywords: organic residue analysis (ORA); ancient biomolecules; chemical analysis; ancient lifeways; archaeological and historical heritage
Geochemical Analysis for Heritage Materials
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 218 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; provenance; petro-archaeometry; material characterization; geochemical analysis
Landscapes as Cultural Heritage: Contemporary Perspectives—2nd Edition submission deadline 1 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 802 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural landscape; heritage landscape; assessment and characterization; citizen participation; contemporary approaches; economy; tourism; and the creative industrial sector
The Medieval Cultural Heritage of the Baltic Sea Region
edited by and Florin Curta
submission deadline 1 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 481 | Submission Open
Keywords: heritage; history; archaeology; material culture; Baltic region; conservation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)
Recent Progress in Cultural Heritage Diagnostics submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 7 articles | Viewed by 12016 | Submission Open
Keywords: non-invasive analytical methods; machine learning; big data analysis; Artifical Inteligence; diagnosis of cultural heritage materials; degradation; preservation state of the artifact
New Perspectives for the Sustainable Conservation of Cultural Heritage
edited by Anne Solenn Le Hô and Ann Bourgès
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 8175 | Submission Open
Keywords: sustainability; conservation; restoration; environment; cultural heritage; materials; practices; resources
Geological Hazards and Heritage Safeguard
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5680 | Submission Open
Keywords: geohazard; natural hazard; risk; geoheritage; geopark; geosite; geodiversity; cultural heritage; indigenous; protection
AI Innovation in Cultural Heritage Preservation: Bridging Technology, Image, and Tradition
edited by , , Ana Carla Amaro and
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 3971 | Submission Open
Keywords: artificial intelligence; machine learning; deep learning; neural network; generative AI; cultural heritage; material heritage; intangible heritage; image; synthetic memory
Advances in HBIM and Digital Twins for Cultural Heritage—from Reality to Model and Back submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2210 | Submission Open
Keywords: historic building information modeling (HBIM); digital twins for cultural heritage; cultural heritage digitization; information management; 3D modeling; semantic classification; programmed conservation; structural monitoring; data integration
Exploring Underground Built Heritage submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 881 | Submission Open
Keywords: values of an UBH asset in terms of aesthetic; historical; scientific; cultural; social; economic; spiritual importance; etc.; methodologies for conservation and rehabilitation of the UBH; approaches; methods; and techniques for valuing UBH; exploring hidden; unknown UBH; experiences in making UBH accessible; including risk issues; community-based approaches and community engagement in UBH valorisation UBH as an asset for local; cultural; social; environmental; and economic development; tangible and intangible aspects and their contribution to a sense of place and identity building; quantifying and/or qualifying the multiple benefits provided by UBH assets; raising awareness for UBH assets
Advanced Analysis of Archaeological Glass
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 554 | Submission Open
Keywords: archaeometry; archaeological science; material culture; glass composition; glassmaking technology; provenance studies; knowledge transfer; cultural exchange; glass conservation
Conservation and Restoration of Metal Artifacts submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 20552 | Submission Open
Keywords: metal artifacts; green materials and technologies; noninvasive portable analytical techniques; museum environment; in situ conservation; material characterization
State of the Art in Underwater Cultural Heritage: Policies in the Era of Blue Economy and Incorporation into Maritime Spatial Planning submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 12769 | Submission Open
Keywords: underwater cultural heritage; accessible underwater cultural sites (AUCSs); sunken cities; shipwrecks; UCH and sustainable tourism; Underwater natural and cultural heritage; coastal/marine cultural ecosystem services; diagnostic techniques; conservation and monitoring; coastal heritage; underwater cultural landscapes; UCH and climate change; valuation methods of UCH
(This special issue belongs to the Section Underwater Heritage)
Risk Analysis and Preservation Strategies of Architectural Heritage submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 7544 | Submission Open
Keywords: risk analysis; conservation; remote sensing; geographic information systems (GIS); building information modeling (BIM); architectural heritage; restoration solution
Molecular Spectroscopy in Art and Archaeology submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3817 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; vibrational spectroscopy; UV-visible absorption; molecular fluorescence; mass spectrometry; nuclear magnetic resonance
HBIM and Digital Technologies-Based Conservation Practices in Cultural Heritage Sites
edited by Adriana Marra, , Ilaria Trizio and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3275 | Submission Open
Keywords: cultural heritage; digital tools for survey and modelling; BIM and HBIM; digital information system; digital twin; AR and VR; maintenance design and operation; best practices for preserving heritage; digital management
Computational Methodologies Supporting the Preservation, Access and Re-use of Sound and Musical Cultural Heritage
edited by Niccolò Pretto and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2362 | Submission Open
Keywords: sound documents preservation; artificial intelligence; intangible cultural heritage; music and speech collections; human– computer interaction; sound and music computing; internet of musical things; music information retrieval
Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings—2nd Edition submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1336 | Submission Open
Keywords: heritage buildings; adaptive reuse; sustainable development; climate change; environmental design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Architectural Heritage)
Applications of Digital Technologies in the Heritage Preservation submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1225 | Submission Open
Keywords: approaches to cultural heritage; 3D digital tecnologies; architectural heritage information systems; digital twins; 3D data and semantics; knowledgebase systems; heritage and environment; risk analysis; CH monitoring; sustainability
Exploration and Preservation of Historical Shipwrecks and Maritime Heritage
edited by Michael L. Brennan
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 582 | Submission Open
Keywords: historical shipwrecks; maritime heritage; deep-water shipwrecks; ocean exploration; ocean heritage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Underwater Heritage)
Innovative Technologies for the Geometric and Thematic Documentation of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Monuments
edited by
submission deadline 26 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 143 | Submission Open
Keywords: UAS-RGB; MS; LiDAR; Geophysical System; laser scanner; SLAM; micro scanner; ground geophysical survey; classification; data fusion; new data processing algorithms
X-ray Physics and Digital Imaging for the Study, Preservation and Protection of Cultural Properties
edited by and Roberto Cesareo
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 10859 | Submission Open
Keywords: X-ray physics; XRF; XRD; digital radiography; CT tomography; synchrotron light sources and non-conventional X-ray sources; X-ray application in archaeometry and archaeological science
Deterioration and Conservation of Ancient Writing Supports submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4440 | Submission Open
Keywords: ancient writing supports; deterioration processes; preservation and restoration practices; papyri; ancient paper; parchment
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