Proceedings

Neutron-based techniques applied for nondestructive quantitative characterisation of ancient mosaic tesserae

The conservation and preservation of cultural heritage need by now non-destructive analytical methods for the characterisation of materials, detection of degradations and authenticity assessment. The interaction properties of neutrons with matter make neutron-based techniques suitable for nondestructive studies of ancient artefacts since they cannot be replaced. A quantitative bulk characterisation of the chemical composition of ancient mosaic tesserae, dating from 2 nd to the 11 th century AD and coming from different geographical areas (Greece, Italy, and Syria) has been conducted through...

Preliminary Alloys Characterization and Technological Interpretation of the Manufacturing Process of the Vittoria Alata di Brescia by means of Neutron Diffraction

The Winged Victory of Brescia (Vittoria Alata) is one of the most important Roman bronzes rediscovered in Italy, dated around the 1 st Century AD. Since the 19 th century, the statue has undergone multiple conservation interventions. The latest one started in 2018, owing to an agreement among Comune di Brescia, Fondazione Brescia Musei, Opificio delle Pietre Dure (OPD) di Firenze, Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Bergamo e Brescia. The project was coordinated by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and offered a unique opportunity for a thorough study of the...

Reconstruction of 3D models from microtomographic images of archeological artifacts

The article describes an example of using an iterative algorithm to reconstruction 3D models from two-dimensional (2D) microtomographic (μCT) computer images of archaeological artifacts. The object of the tomographic reconstruction was a 40,000- year-old Paleolithic hunting weapon found in the Ljubljanica River near Sinja Gorica (Slovenia). Between 2013 and 2017, the point was conserved using a traditional waterlogged wood processing technique with melamine resin. Using computer volumetric analysis of five surface 3D models, taken before, during and after the conservation, it was found out...

Survey and preservation of an abandoned archaeological industrial site

The sites identified as Industrial architecture are a collection of structures, having a peculiar identity, which can still be used as a contemporary resource, worth being re-interpreted by means of urban projects of integrated and sustainable transformation urban font. In particular it is necessary to reactivate or create new processes, both production and fruition, supported by an adequate project structure. This is needed to produce architectural and landscape solutions that can match the problems and needs prompted by a territory needing profound transformations, both from a social and...

Geomatics as a knowledge base propaedeutic to the restoration of an extended fresco wall

In the project, carried out by the Geomatics group of the DICAM Department from the University of Bologna, it is discussed the integration of different sensors as an application to the field of Cultural Heritage. The fresco painting examined dates back to the beginning of the XVII century, it is found in the San Martino theatre hall, in the city centre of Bologna. Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS), Photogrammetry and Thermal Analysis were employed as support for the analysis of the damaged fresco, and their integration, upon calibration, allowed to obtain a detailed representation and mapping...

Integrated geomatic methodologies to reconstruct the ancient topography of Rome

Microscopic and chemical characterization of metal slags found at the Porta Paola excavation in Ferrara

Microscopic and chemical characterization of some metal slags from iron processing were carried out at the Laboratories of the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences (University of Ferrara). Samples were collected in the archaeological excavation of Porta Paola and Via Bologna in the city of Ferrara in August 2003, following the exceptional discovery of a boat for goods transport which involved the surrounding stratigraphic study. The analysis of these findings allowed to understand their chemical and mineralogical origin.

The contribution of Archaeometric Analyses to the Multi-Disciplinary Research in Hierapolis of Phrygia, Turkey

In the frame of an integrated knowledge path applied to the archaeological site of Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey), several mortar samples were collected and analysed by means of a multi-analytical approach to study the production techniques and the conservation state, and to evaluate the possible dateability by means of the absolute radiocarbon dating method (14C). This study was part of a collaboration research including structural engineering and geophysical investigations, aimed at evaluating the current conditions of the archaeological remains for the possible use of the whole site as an...

Multi analytical study on Khol residues from the ancient Egyptian city of Assiut

Multi-analytical chemical approaches are nowadays considered an important source of complementary information in archaeological functional studies. Here we report the results of an investigation carried out by means of liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS), pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) and Raman micro-spectroscopy (μRaman) applied onto residues sampled from ceramic vessels, found in the ancient cities of Assiut (Egypt, Middle Kingdom). These items, characterized by the typical conical shape of Kohl containers, represented an extraordinary opportunity to...

Air pollution, black crusts and Cairo monuments: a review

Recently, the degradation phenomena affecting built cultural heritage and relative to environmental pollution increased considerably. The monuments in Historic Cairo are particularly exposed to these processes and their conservation is seriously threatened. The present review considers the studies about degradation products such as black crusts and salt crystallization affecting the building materials of selected monuments. The minero-petrographical and geochemical characterization will allow establishing the connections between them and the environmental pollution, such as the atmospheric...