Search Results (45)

Heritage management has traditionally been shaped by what Laurajane Smith termed the “authorized heritage discourse,” wherein a narrow group of professionals determines values and meanings on behalf of broader communities. This article argues that a more inclusive, socially responsible model of heritage management is both possible and necessary. Drawing on three convergent intellectual traditions—heritage interpretation as originally formulated by Freeman Tilden, eco-museums and the new museology born from the Santiago de Chile Round Table of 1972, and the human-rights-based framework for cultural heritage enshrined in the Council of Europe’s Faro Convention of 2005—the article proposes “heritage literacy” as a conceptual synthesis which can bridge these streams. Heritage literacy denotes a form of socially responsible heritage management that empowers citizens to understand the processes through which heritage is constructed, to participate actively in its interpretation, and to direct their own development through it. The article demonstrates that heritage literacy operates simultaneously as knowledge/wisdom management and as a democratic practice, arguing that it should be recognized as an essential dimension of (cultural/heritage-related) human rights. By tracing the theoretical genealogy of each contributing tradition and synthesizing them into a unified framework, this article offers both a conceptual contribution to heritage studies and a practical orientation for heritage professionals and policymakers seeking to move beyond top–down models of heritage governance. Full article

The contemporary debate on the climate crisis increasingly emphasizes the need to protect and enhance nature and biodiversity through the active involvement of local communities, including in tourism initiatives. In this context, there is growing demand for models and methodologies able to systematically support more sustainable approaches to territorial governance. This study explores how reflections developed in tourism studies, ecosystem restoration, and museology reveal converging interests and could benefit from a more explicit alignment of efforts. More specifically, we examine whether nature-based solutions (NbS) can support a local turn in tourism and whether ecomuseums can be considered NbS. The analysis combines a review of theoretical contributions with their application to ecomuseum experiences. Comparing the founding principles and criteria of each field, we identified four shared dimensions: place-based governance, community engagement, environmental sustainability, and education and awareness. Analysis of 94 questionnaires collected from Mediterranean ecomuseums showed how these dimensions are reflected in institutional practices. Results revealed a strong correlation between place-based governance and community engagement, and between environmental sustainability and education and awareness. Finally, an Integrated Ecomuseum Performance (IEP) Index was developed to assess the capacity of ecomuseums to act as community-based NbS and sustainable tourism actors. Ecomuseums, NbS, and the local turn in tourism are therefore presented as interconnected approaches promoting holistic, inclusive, and environmentally responsible development. The proposed criteria and index could be used as a tool to diagnose and strengthen ecomuseums’ role in sustainable tourism governance and NbS implementation at the local level. Full article

Museums are increasingly required to combine digital transformation with sustainability goals under conditions shaped by ecological pressures, resource constraints, and long-term heritage responsibilities. This paper examines museum digital transition as a problem of strategic governance rather than merely technological adoption. Drawing on an exploratory qualitative case study based on the Italian ECO ART programme, the research analyses participatory activities, best practices, and project materials related to green and digital transition in the cultural sector. The findings show that the main barriers concern governance, process design, skills continuity, and monitoring, rather than technology alone. In response, the paper proposes a strategic framework composed of a Sustainability Matrix and a Roadmap. The matrix connects technologies, processes, and people with the cultural, social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability, while the Roadmap structures digital planning from diagnosis to monitoring. This work argues that digital transformation can support sustainable and resilience-oriented heritage management only when it is planned as a low-impact, inclusive, and long-term organizational process. Full article

Dental wear provides valuable evidence for reconstructing past human behaviour, including diet abrasiveness and non-masticatory activities such as the use of teeth as a “third hand”. This study investigates activity-induced dental modifications (AIDMs) in two adult human skeletons recovered from a 15th–19th-century necropolis at the St. Athanasius Church in Niculițel (Tulcea County, Romania). Dental remains and associated dental calculus were examined using low- and high-magnification optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Well-polished grooves with parallel striations were identified on the incisor crowns, consistent with repetitive extra-masticatory activities related to fibre drafting during spinning and textile production. Dental calculus analysis revealed the presence of plant and animal fibres, providing direct micro-contextual evidence for textile-related practices. These results offer new insights into the use of teeth as tools and contribute to the reconstruction of textile-related craft activities during the Ottoman and early modern periods in southeastern Europe. Full article

Globally, ecomuseums, as examples of integrated museums, have prioritised local community participation as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and territoriality in the field of ecotourism since the 1970s. However, in Ghana, ecomuseums are a less explored extended activity at ecotourism sites. Preliminary research at the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ashanti Region of Ghana revealed that there is less patronage of the ecotourism facility due to the absence of extended activities targeted at visitor engagement and experience. This convergent parallel mixed methods study rooted in phenomenology and descriptive survey design investigated the possibility of establishing an ecomuseum at the sanctuary. The study found that the establishment of an ecomuseum facility would promote Kumawu’s cultural heritage. Also, it would enhance visitor engagement, promote local community ownership, increase revenue generation, and lead to the conservation of nature. The study contends that the establishment of an ecomuseum would lead to greater patronage of Ghana’s Protected Areas while creating job avenues, especially for forest-fringe communities. The study proposes an investment into the establishment of locally specific extended activities in the various nature reserves, zoological parks, and gardens, as well as wildlife sanctuaries in the country, to enhance ecotourism development in Ghana. Full article

This paper explores what heritage conservation might become when it listens differently—when it opens itself to relational, situated, and community-led practices of care. Beginning with the provocation “Museums? I don’t think this is for us. Museums are far too clever for us,” voiced in the context of an ecomuseum, I interrogate the assumptions that underpin conventional heritage conservation: expert authority, linear temporality, and the desire to stabilize. Drawing on new materialism theories, I question the disciplinary logics that produce heritage as a human centred practice that look at objects as static and conservation as a neutral act. In contrast, I present ecomuseums not as policy model but as conceptual disruption—territories of care that emerge from entanglements of memory and place, becoming, therefore, an active force that are engaged in sustainable practices. In thinking with ecomuseum practices, I consider how conservation would look if shifted from colonial to liberative practices, from control to attention, from fixity to fluidity. I explore conservation as a field of relations—affective and unfinished. Finally, I offer a call for heritage practitioners to reimagine conservation not as the act of keeping things the same, but as an ongoing negotiation with change in a pluriversal world. Full article

The objective of this research is to design sustainable public spaces along the banks of the Ichu River in Huancavelica, Peru, with the aim of promoting environmental awareness within the local community. The identified problem lies in the deterioration of these spaces and the limited environmental awareness among the population. The applied methodology includes both macro- and micro-scale analyses of the study area, as well as the use of bioclimatic maps to incorporate passive strategies, clean technologies, and the use of local and ecological materials. The proposed hypothesis states that if sustainable public spaces are designed by integrating bioclimatic strategies, clean technologies, and local materials, then environmental awareness among the population will be strengthened, the quality of life of residents will improve, and the economic and social development of Huancavelica will be promoted. The results show that the implementation of sustainable infrastructure such as roads, parks, a riverside promenade with local product fairs, and a tourist dock can significantly contribute to improving the urban and natural environment. Additionally, the creation of an ecomuseum with sensory gardens is proposed to encourage social inclusion. In conclusion, the design of these spaces not only supports the conservation of the local ecosystem through actions such as reforestation and sustainable rainwater drainage but also strengthens the sense of community belonging and boosts economic development through neighborhood markets and responsible tourism activities, thereby improving the relationship between the community and its natural environment. Full article

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 study reviewed the benefits of outdoor activities and educational programs that take place in nature in terms of the cognitive and mental development of children. Research has highlighted the benefits offered to children by their participation in experiential activities that take place outdoors and are related to natural phenomena. These activities help children realize how important it is to conserve nature and protect sites of world heritage, thus becoming active citizens in the future. In this study, the uniqueness of Syros Island is presented, emphasizing the need for the world-renowned geological heritage of Syros to be preserved and promoted, both for the scientific community and for the public, with the aim of establishing a geopark in Apano Meria, as proposed by local authorities, along with a local museum. In this context, a working methodology was developed involving the design and implementation of a pilot educational program combining field-based activities, guided interpretation, and interactive learning tools. An indicative educational program was piloted with primary and secondary school students, as well as postgraduate students from the University of Athens. Recognizing the important role of geoparks in school education, the program focused on the rare geological phenomena on the northern side of Syros and was adapted to the characteristics of each participant age group. Full article

In recent years, the growing interest in food as a central component of heritage preservation has been paired with a reflection on the sustainability of food systems. At the same time, place-based food governance has undergone processes of hybridization, opening up to a wider range of stakeholders. We argue that ecomuseums can positively contribute to the promotion of sustainable food systems that can preserve cultural heritage without undermining the development of healthy food systems. To discuss this hypothesis, we conducted an exploratory study to assess the current diffusion and food-related practices of ecomuseums in the Mediterranean area. Integrating the information of existing databases with online research of new institutions, we mapped a large sample of ecomuseums and carried out a Web Content Analysis. The main results of the research are a geolocalized map of Mediterranean ecomuseums and their activities and an index assessing their capacity to engage users on relevant topics through their webpages. The results highlight the existence of an unbalanced distribution of experiences, and the potential for growth, especially in the east and south of the Mediterranean countries. Full article

The biodeterioration of wooden cultural heritage is a severe problem worldwide and fungi are the main deteriorating agents. The identification of effective natural products, safer for humans and the environment, is a current challenge. Ten deteriorated archaeological objects (a wooden statue of a seated man, an anthropoid wooden coffin with a cartonnage mummy of Nespathettawi, and a wooden box of Padimen’s son), stored at the Egyptian museum in Cairo, were considered here. The wood species of the three most deteriorated objects were previously identified as Acacia nilotica, Ficus sycomorus, and Tamarix gennessarensis. Twenty-six fungal species were isolated and identified from the wooden objects and the four most frequent species belonged to the genus Aspergillus. Fourteen fungal species among those isolated showed the greatest biodeterioration activity on the experimental wood blocks of the archaeological objects. The antifungal activities of several eco-friendly plant essential oils (from cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, menthe, rosemary, tea tree, and thyme) and plant extracts (from basil, eucalyptus, henna, melia, and teak) were tested against the fungal species with the greatest biodeterioration activity. The essential oils (Eos) were more effective than the plant extracts. Thyme EO, followed by geranium and cinnamon ones, was the most active (minimum inhibitory concentrations: 0.25–1 µL/mL). These EO; also showed inhibitory effects on the enzymatic activities (cellulase, amylase, and protease) of the four most dominant fungal species. Thymol and p-cymene were the two main components of thyme oil, while geraniol and beta-citronellol were those of geranium oil; eugenol and caryophyllene were those of the cinnamon EO. Thyme oil applied to the most deteriorated experimental aged A. nilotica wooden cubes inoculated with the four highly frequent fungal species was effective in wood preservation. Moreover, no significant interference was observed in the wood before and after thyme treatment. Thyme oil seems to be a promising eco-friendly antifungal agent for the preservation of archaeological wooden artefacts. Full article

The pig industry is usually considered an intensive livestock industry, mainly supported by hybrid breeding between commercial pig breeds. However, people’s pursuit of a more natural environment and higher meat quality has led to an increasing demand for eco-friendly and diverse pig feeding systems. Therefore, the importance of rearing and conserving local pig breeds is increasing. The Livni pig is a local breed with good adaptability to the environmental and fodder conditions in central Russia. In this study, we aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of Livni pigs using whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. We utilized the Porcine GGP HD BeadChip on genotype samples from old (n = 32, 2004) and modern (n = 32, 2019) populations of Livni pigs. For the museum samples of Livni pigs (n = 3), we extracted DNA from their teeth, performed genomic sequencing, and obtained SNP genotypes from the whole-genome sequences. SNP genotypes of Landrace (n = 32) and Large White (n = 32) pigs were included for comparative analysis. We observed that the allelic richness of Livni pigs was higher than those of Landrace and Large White pigs (A_R = 1.775–1.798 vs. 1.703 and 1.668, respectively). The effective population size estimates (N_E5 = 108 for Livni pigs, N_E5 = 59 for Landrace and Large White pigs) confirmed their genetic diversity tendency. This was further supported by the length and number of runs of homozygosity, as well as the genomic inbreeding coefficient (almost twofold lower in Livni pigs compared to Landrace and Large White pigs). These findings suggest that the Livni pig population exhibits higher genetic diversity and experiences lower selection pressure compared to commercial pig populations. Furthermore, both principal component and network tree analyses demonstrated a clear differentiation between Livni pigs and transboundary commercial pigs. The TreeMix results indicated gene flow from Landrace ancestors to Livni pigs (2019) and from Large White ancestors to Livni pigs (2004), which was consistent with their respective historical breeding backgrounds. The comparative analysis of museum, old, and modern Livni pigs indicated that the modern Livni pig populations have preserved their historical genomic components, suggesting their potential suitability for future design selection programs. Full article

In the context of large museum centers, numerous national and international methodological experiments show the need to consider, in wayfinding design, both the intangible issues of experience arising from perception and involvement (user-centered design), and social and environmental issues (environment-centered design). The aim of this research is to propose a tool for organizing integrated information on so-called smart materials that takes both perspectives into account. This study was performed by conducting a two-phase systematic literature and library review of materials. Specifically, 63 scientific articles—selected by keywords, publication date and content—and 7 national and international material libraries were investigated. The investigation highlighted how the sensory characteristics of wayfinding materials in museums are treated separately from the environmental characteristics and how the quality of the technical information of the materials filed in the material libraries could be improved. The result of the research concerns the structuring of a ‘standard sheet’ for the cataloguing of materials that integrates technical (sensory and environmental) information while also offering a contextualization of the material within wayfinding application cases in known museums. The proposed tool facilitates designers in the selection of materials to be adopted in the wayfinding project, offering information both on their ability to offer alternative communication channels in response to different users’ sense–perceptual functioning and on their quantitative environmental impact properties. This study conducted through the integration of different multidisciplinary fields (technological approach to design, inclusive design, environmental psychology, material science, visual communication, environmental protection related to people’s well-being) offers a significant contribution in the context of museum wayfinding design, providing stakeholders with practical tools to select materials that promote inclusion and sustainability. Full article

The use of augmented reality applied to museums to preserve and communicate cultural heritage sustainably is a topic of increasing relevance today. Museums play an essential role in preserving and disseminating culture and history, and augmented reality has emerged as a powerful technological tool to enrich the visitor experience and ensure the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage. The fundamental objective of this literature review is to explore and understand the key contributions that are being made in the field of augmented reality applied to museums, with a focus on sustainability. The literature related to this topic is dispersed in various sources of information, which motivates the need to carry out a detailed and systematic analysis incorporating sustainability aspects. To carry out this analysis, the metaphor of the “tree of science” is used. This metaphor provides a structured approach that is applied in two complementary ways. Firstly, it focuses on collecting and analyzing scientometric statistics that cover data on countries, authors, academic institutions, and research centers involved in developing augmented reality applications for museums with sustainable methodologies. This quantitative perspective offers a global view of the contributions and their geographical scope including their sustainability impact. Secondly, an evolutionary analysis based on the “tree of science” is carried out. This historical approach examines the origin and evolution of contributions in the field of augmented reality applied to museums, from its first manifestations to the most recent innovations, with an emphasis on sustainable practices. This historical approach is essential to understanding the trajectory and development of augmented reality applications in the museum context and their role in promoting sustainable cultural heritage preservation. This review aims to provide a complete and contextualized view of the use of augmented reality in museums for the sustainable preservation and communication of cultural heritage. Through a multidimensional approach encompassing scientometric statistics and historical analysis, we seek to shed light on this technology’s most significant contributions and evolution in the museum sector, with a particular focus on sustainability. Full article

The study of biodeterioration is an important issue to allow the best conservation and prevent the decay of cultural heritage and artworks. In Naples (Italy), a particular museum (Museodivino) preserves the miniature artworks representing Dante’s Divine Comedy and Nativity scenes, executed with organic-based materials in walnut and clay shells. Since they showed putative signs of biodeterioration, the first aim of this study was to verify the presence of microbial colonization. A culture-dependent approach and molecular biology allowed us to isolate and identify the sole fungal strain Aspergillus NCCD (Nativity and Dante’s Divine Comedy) belonging to the A. sydowii sub-clade. Based on this result, a sustainable and eco-friendly approach was applied to find a method to preserve the miniature artwork by contrasting the growth of the strain NCCD. Several essential oils used as a natural biocide were tested against Aspergillus strain NCCD belonging to the A. sydowii subclade to determine their potential antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that basil, cloves, fennel, and thyme essential oils exerted antifungal activity, although their effect depended also on the concentration used. Moreover, anoxic treatment and the control of the relative humidity were used in the presence of thyme, in vitro, and in vivo assays to define the impact on fungal growth. No fungal development was detected in vivo in the shells treated with thyme essential oil at high relative humidity after 60 days of incubation at 28 °C. These results highlighted that although relative humidity was the major factor affecting the development of the strain Aspergillus NDDC, the application of thyme in an anaerobic environment is essential in contrasting the fungal growth. Identifying the biodeterioration agent allowed us to plan an eco-friendly, non-destructive approach to be successfully used to guarantee the conditions suitable for conserving miniature artwork. Full article