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Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 3327

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2. Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: ion beam analysis; archaeological glass and metals; ionization models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
1. National Museum of Slovenia, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2. Jozef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: non-destructive analysis; cultural heritage objects; material degradation; preventive conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The achievements of past generations are a valuable tangible or intangible memory for the present, as we admire and learn from the actions of the past. In short, we call this memory cultural heritage, which is both material and immaterial. It is, however, the material heritage that is subject to constant deterioration and decay; therefore, it requires special care for its preservation. On the other hand, some historical facts about the objects’ production, usage and distribution are hidden within the objects themselves and not well understood, so we are hoping to learn more about them by applying specific analytical methods, which may reveal unseen connections between objects and their use, regions, and cultural groups. Today, several researchers devote their efforts to the studies of cultural heritage objects, both in terms of their preservation (or conservation) and investigation. Their endeavours traditionally bear the name of archaeometry and conservation science, with both terms recently being supplemented by the term heritage science.

A year ago, we edited a Special Issue of Materials entitled “Material Analysis in Cultural Heritage”. Due to increased interest in the field, we are now calling for the second part under an updated name “Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation”, with the following key points:

  • Environmental monitoring of the CH storage and display areas;
  • Degradation studies on the objects of CH;
  • Innovative conservation procedures;
  • Authenticity testing of CH objects and detection of forgery;
  • Application of dating techniques;
  • Development of specialized analytical techniques;
  • Studies of specific materials: archaeological and historic glass, metals, pigments and lithic materials;
  • Experimental archaeology, i.e., reconstruction of ancient techniques and materials.

You are invited to submit a manuscript.

Prof. Dr. Žiga Šmit
Dr. Eva Menart
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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 materials
  • archaeological materials
  • ancient techniques and materials
  • analytical techniques

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 15467 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Making Techniques of Calcareous Construction Materials for Phaya Thon Zu Temple in Bagan Historical Area, Myanmar
by Hye Ri Yang, Gyu Hye Lee, Dong Min Kim and Chan Hee Lee
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174294 - 30 Aug 2024
Viewed by 478
Abstract
The calcareous materials used in constructing the Phaya Thon Zu temple at the Bagan historical sites in Myanmar are mortars, plasters, and stuccos. Among them, the mortars and plasters are a mixture of original and new materials used for recent conservation treatments. In [...] Read more.
The calcareous materials used in constructing the Phaya Thon Zu temple at the Bagan historical sites in Myanmar are mortars, plasters, and stuccos. Among them, the mortars and plasters are a mixture of original and new materials used for recent conservation treatments. In this study, the making techniques were examined through analysis of calcareous materials by production period. All calcareous materials have a mineral composition similar to soil, except calcite. Stuccos have the most refined aggregates, homogeneous particle size, and the highest lime and organic contents. They were designed to improve ease of carving and weathering resistance, considering the unique characteristics of the stuccos. Because all calcareous materials were mixed with soil, the origin of the clay materials was analyzed. It was concluded that the mortars were produced by mixing clay and sandy soil, and the original mortars showed characteristics similar to soil. It is highly possible that sandy soil from around the Htillominlo temple was used to produce new plasters, and it is estimated that a mixture of clay soil was used for the original plasters and stuccos. A clear provenance interpretation of the original and raw materials used for each construction and the mixing ratio of clay materials need to be discussed through experiments, along with the estimated provenance area of the raw calcareous materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation)
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12 pages, 5787 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative EDXRF Analysis for Provenance Study of Archaeological Ceramics
by Maja Gajic-Kvascev, Velibor Andric, Radmila Jancic-Heinemann, Ognjen Mladenovic and Aleksandar Bulatovic
Materials 2024, 17(15), 3725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153725 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 528
Abstract
The most common scientific analysis of archaeological ceramics aims to determine the raw material source and/or production technology. Scientists and archaeologists widely use XRF-based techniques as a tool in a provenance study. After conducting XRF analysis, the results are often analyzed using multivariate [...] Read more.
The most common scientific analysis of archaeological ceramics aims to determine the raw material source and/or production technology. Scientists and archaeologists widely use XRF-based techniques as a tool in a provenance study. After conducting XRF analysis, the results are often analyzed using multivariate analysis in addition to interpretation and conclusions. Various multivariate techniques have already been applied in archaeological ceramics provenance studies to reveal different raw material sources, identify imported pieces, or determine different production recipes. This study aims to evaluate the results of multivariate analysis in the provenance study of ceramics that belong to three cultures that settled in the same area during various prehistoric periods. Portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pEDXRF) was used to determine the elemental composition of the ceramic material. The ceramic material was prepared in two different ways. The ceramic body material was ground into powder, homogenized, and then pressed into tablets. After that, the same fragments are polished in suitable places. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on the tablets and polished pieces. The results were subjected to both unsupervised and supervised multivariate analysis. Based on the results, it was concluded that qualitative analysis of the well-prepared shards’ surface using EDXRF spectrometry could be utilized in provenance studies, even when the ceramic assemblages were made of similar raw materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation)
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21 pages, 4863 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Hybrid Graphene–Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides Aerogels with an Ionic Liquid Additive as Innovative Absorbers for Preventive Conservation of Cultural Heritage
by George Gorgolis, Maria Kotsidi, Elena Messina, Valentina Mazzurco Miritana, Gabriella Di Carlo, Elsa Lesaria Nhuch, Clarissa Martins Leal Schrekker, Jeniffer Alves Cuty, Henri Stephan Schrekker, George Paterakis, Charalampos Androulidakis, Nikos Koutroumanis and Costas Galiotis
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133174 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 948
Abstract
The use and integration of novel materials are increasingly becoming vital tools in the field of preventive conservation of cultural heritage. Chemical factors, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but also environmental factors such as high relative humidity, can lead to degradation, oxidation, [...] Read more.
The use and integration of novel materials are increasingly becoming vital tools in the field of preventive conservation of cultural heritage. Chemical factors, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but also environmental factors such as high relative humidity, can lead to degradation, oxidation, yellowing, and fading of the works of art. To prevent these phenomena, highly porous materials have been developed for the absorption of VOCs and for controlling the relative humidity. In this work, graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) were combined to create three-dimensional aerogels that absorb certain harmful substances. More specifically, the addition of the TMDs molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide in such macrostructures led to the selective absorption of ammonia. Moreover, the addition of the ionic liquid 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride promoted higher rates of VOCs absorption and anti-fungal activity against the fungus Aspergillus niger. These two-dimensional materials outperform benchmark porous absorbers in the absorption of all the examined VOCs, such as ammonia, formic acid, acetic acid, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde. Consequently, they can be used by museums, galleries, or even storage places for the perpetual protection of works of art. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation)
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14 pages, 3390 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Surface of Historic Fabric from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum after Treatment with Ethanol Mist Used to Eliminate Microorganisms Harmful to Human Health
by Anna Wawrzyk, Janina Poskrobko, Krystyna Guzińska, Dorota Kaźmierczak, Aleksandra Papis, Nel Jastrzębiowska, Natalia Uroda, Maria Szymankiewicz, Dagmara Zeljaś, Iga Wawrzyk-Bochenek and Sławomir Wilczyński
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102323 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 752
Abstract
Aim: the aim of the work was to present the changes occurring on the model and historical cotton surface of cotton resulting from disinfection with 90% ethanol mist. Materials and methods: Samples of historical materials consisted of fabric elements from suitcases stored in [...] Read more.
Aim: the aim of the work was to present the changes occurring on the model and historical cotton surface of cotton resulting from disinfection with 90% ethanol mist. Materials and methods: Samples of historical materials consisted of fabric elements from suitcases stored in A-BSM. A mist of 90% ethanol was applied for 15 s at a distance of 16 cm from the surface. The spectra of cotton samples before and after ethanol application were recorded using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Analyses of the surface layers were performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results: the decontamination performed did not show any significant differences in the chemical composition and surface structure of cotton before and after the use of 90% ethanol mist. Conclusions: Ethanol mist, which eliminates microorganisms from the historical surface, does not cause significant changes to the surface of historical objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in Cultural Heritage: Analysis, Testing, and Preservation)
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