Journal Description
Heritage
Heritage
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of cultural and natural heritage science published monthly by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), and other databases.
- Journal Rank: CiteScore - Q1 (Conservation)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.1 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
1.7 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
1.6 (2022)
Latest Articles
Exhibiting the Heritage of COVID-19—A Conversation with ChatGPT
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5732-5749; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080302 - 07 Aug 2023
Abstract
The documentation and management of the cultural heritage of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the heritage of the digital age are emerging discourses in cultural heritage management. The enthusiastic uptake of a generative artificial intelligence application (ChatGPT) by the general public and
[...] Read more.
The documentation and management of the cultural heritage of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the heritage of the digital age are emerging discourses in cultural heritage management. The enthusiastic uptake of a generative artificial intelligence application (ChatGPT) by the general public and academics alike has provided an opportunity to explore (i) whether, and to what extent, generative AI can conceptualize an emergent, not well-described field of cultural heritage (the heritage of COVID-19), (ii), whether it can design an exhibition on the topic, and (iii) whether it can identify sites associated with the pandemic that may become significant heritage. Drawing on an extended ‘conversation’ with ChatGPT, this paper shows that generative AI is capable of not only developing a concept for an exhibition of the heritage of COVID-19 but also that it can provide a defensible array of exhibition topics as well as a relevant selection of exhibition objects. ChatGPT is also capable of making suggestions on the selection of cultural heritage sites associated with the pandemic, but these lack specificity. The discrepancy between ChatGPT’s responses to the exhibition concept and its responses regarding potential heritage sites suggests differential selection and access to the data that were used to train the model, with a seemingly heavy reliance on Wikipedia. The ‘conversation’ has shown that ChatGPT can serve as a brainstorming tool, but that a curator’s considered interpretation of the responses is still essential.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of COVID-19 on Cultural Heritage)
Open AccessArticle
Assessment of 3D Model for Photogrammetric Purposes Using AI Tools Based on NeRF Algorithm
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5719-5731; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080301 - 05 Aug 2023
Abstract
The aim of the paper is to analyse the performance of the Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) algorithm, implemented in Instant-NGP software, for photogrammetric purposes. To achieve this aim, several datasets with different characteristics were analysed, taking into account object size, image acquisition technique
[...] Read more.
The aim of the paper is to analyse the performance of the Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) algorithm, implemented in Instant-NGP software, for photogrammetric purposes. To achieve this aim, several datasets with different characteristics were analysed, taking into account object size, image acquisition technique and geometric configuration of the images. The NeRF algorithm proved to be effective in the construction of the 3D models; in other words, in Instant-NGP it was possible to obtain realistic 3D models in a detailed manner and very quickly, even in rather weak geometric configurations of the images. The performance obtained in the latter environment was compared with that achieved by two software packages, one widely used in the photogrammetric field, Agisoft Metashape, and one open source, Colmap. The comparison showed encouraging results in building 3D models, especially under weak geometry conditions; although, the geometric description of objects under point clouds or meshes needs improvement for use in the photogrammetric field.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and 3D Web Exploration for the Management, Enjoyment and Conservation of Cultural Heritage)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Preserving Colour Fidelity in Photogrammetry—An Empirically Grounded Study and Workflow for Cultural Heritage Preservation
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5700-5718; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080300 - 05 Aug 2023
Abstract
In this paper, a study is performed in order to achieve a process that successfully respects the colour integrity of photogrammetry models of cultural heritage pieces. As a crucial characteristic of cultural heritage documentation, the colour of the pieces—as a valuable source of
[...] Read more.
In this paper, a study is performed in order to achieve a process that successfully respects the colour integrity of photogrammetry models of cultural heritage pieces. As a crucial characteristic of cultural heritage documentation, the colour of the pieces—as a valuable source of information—needs to be properly handled and preserved, since digital tools may induce variations in its values, or lose them to a degree. Different conditions for image acquisition schemes, RGB value calculation, calibration and photogrammetry have been combined and the results measured, so the adequate procedure is found. Control over all colour transformations is enforced, with blending operations during the texture generation process being the only unpredictable step in the pipeline. It is demonstrated that an excellent degree of colour information preservation can be achieved when applying said control on the factors of acquisition and colour digitalization, inclusive deciding their parameters. This paper aims to serve as guidelines of a correct handling of colour information and workflow so cultural heritage documentation can be performed with the highest degree of colour fidelity, covering the gap of non-existing standard procedure or conditions to perform an optimum digital cultural heritage colour modelling.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Analysis Approaches and Intervention Techniques on Heritage Materials)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Fluorescent Paints in Contemporary Murals: A Case Study
by
, , , , , and
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5689-5699; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080299 - 03 Aug 2023
Abstract
►▼
Show Figures
Recently, a notable change has occurred in how street art murals are perceived by art history and the general public, with a growing recognition of their social and cultural significance and a new focus on preserving the most representative modern urban murals for
[...] Read more.
Recently, a notable change has occurred in how street art murals are perceived by art history and the general public, with a growing recognition of their social and cultural significance and a new focus on preserving the most representative modern urban murals for future generations. An interesting case study is constituted by the “UBUNTU” mural (Ivan Pontevia and Daniele Castagnetti, Reggio Emilia, 2018), whose appearance has radically changed in a few years. Indeed, the intense and direct exposure to sunlight as well as the environmental and polluting agents have induced the bleaching and fading of the original highly fluorescent hues. To investigate the degradation processes that are occurring, five micro-samples were collected from different fluorescent-coloured areas and analysed by a combined approach based on µ-Raman and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Diode Array Detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS), and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). The analytical protocol applied allowed us to disclose the painting materials used by the artist and fully characterise the ageing phenomena occurring in the mural that are possibly responsible for its colour ephemerality.
Full article
Graphical abstract
Open AccessArticle
The Senses as Experiences in Wine Tourism—A Comparative Statistical Analysis between Abruzzo and Douro
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5672-5688; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080298 - 01 Aug 2023
Abstract
Sensory experiences play a remarkable role in the visitor’s satisfaction and behavioral intention to return to a wine tourism unit, so it is important to frequently review the environment in which the experience is lived, to make it memorable. This study aimed to
[...] Read more.
Sensory experiences play a remarkable role in the visitor’s satisfaction and behavioral intention to return to a wine tourism unit, so it is important to frequently review the environment in which the experience is lived, to make it memorable. This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the perception of sensory experiences between the Abruzzo region in Italy and the Douro region in Portugal. This study also intended to understand the most important sensations sought by wine tourists in each region. A quantitative methodology was used, based on a questionnaire survey that analyses the perceptions of sensory experiences and some variables that characterize the profile of wine tourists. The sample consisted of 199 wine tourists who visited the wine tourism units of the aforementioned regions. The structural equation model results showed that sensory experiences were composed of five factors: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, and sensory experiences manifested with greater intensity in the hearing and smell factors. By comparing the results between the two regions, it can be concluded that smell is the most important factor for wine tourists who visit the Douro region, while for those who visit the Abruzzo region, it is the taste. The obtained results are important, in that they allow perceiving the differences in perception in sensory experiences, which has an impact on the management of companies in the two regions studied. This comparison between two wine regions in two different countries is pioneering work. Different wine regions have different attractiveness factors.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Cultural Heritage in the Post-COVID Period)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
An Ontological Model for the Representation of Vallenato as Cultural Heritage in a Context-Aware System
by
, , and
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5648-5671; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080297 - 31 Jul 2023
Abstract
►▼
Show Figures
The traditional Colombian vallenato was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on 1 December 2015 with urgency for it to be safeguarded, which led the government of Colombia in the head of the Ministry of Culture and the vallenato music cluster
[...] Read more.
The traditional Colombian vallenato was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO on 1 December 2015 with urgency for it to be safeguarded, which led the government of Colombia in the head of the Ministry of Culture and the vallenato music cluster to develop a safeguarding plan that contains different activities, among which stands out a platform for the management of vallenato through educational processes. In this sense, this document proposes an ontological model for the representation of vallenato as cultural heritage in a context-aware system called Vallenatic. The ontology was developed using the NeOn methodology, designed in the Protégé software, and has 15 concepts (Vallenata Songs, Artist, Devices, Persons, Environment, Cultural Managers, Interface, Location, MOOC, Learning Object, Profile, Preference, Net, Time Cultural, Event, Cultural_Sites). The model was evaluated by means of nine (9) situations described in natural language and SWRL; this language was used since it allows expressing OWL concepts in combination with RuleML. The proposed model can be used for other musical genres that have the recognition of cultural and intangible heritage, such as the Spanish flamenco, Argentine Tango, Mexican Mariachi music, Peruvian scissors dance, Brazilian capoeira, Dominican bachata, Jamaican reggae, among others.
Full article
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Investigating Colors and Techniques on the Wall Paintings of the ‘Tomb of the Philosophers’, an Early Hellenistic Macedonian Monumental Cist Tomb in Pella (Macedonia, Greece)
by
, , , and
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5619-5647; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080296 - 28 Jul 2023
Abstract
The ‘Tomb of the Philosophers’, owing its name to the iconographic theme depicted on the interior of its walls, offers a rare example of high-quality early Hellenistic painting, which enhances our knowledge on the use of painting materials and techniques in Greece during
[...] Read more.
The ‘Tomb of the Philosophers’, owing its name to the iconographic theme depicted on the interior of its walls, offers a rare example of high-quality early Hellenistic painting, which enhances our knowledge on the use of painting materials and techniques in Greece during the late 4th–early 3rd century BC. The tomb was excavated in 2001 by the 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, in the area of the east cemetery of the ancient city of Pella and is among the largest built cist graves to have been found in the region to date. This article presents the results of a scientific investigation of the painting materials and techniques used in the tomb’s decoration by means of high-resolution visible- and raking-light imaging, broadband imaging (IRR, UIL, UVR, VIL), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and SEM-EDAX microanalysis on a representative number of samples. The examination of the paintings testifies to the application of elaborate painting techniques and to the use of a varied and rich chromatic ‘palette’ (iron oxides, Egyptian blue, malachite, conichalcite, cinnabar, lead white, carbon-based black, a purple organic colorant, yellow-orange arsenic and vanadium-based pigments). Furthermore, iconographic elements of the paintings were better visualized, allowing for a more accurate description and interpretation of the decorative program of the tomb.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Nanite as a Disruptive Technology for the Interactive Visualisation of Cultural Heritage 3D Models: A Case Study
by
, , and
Heritage 2023, 6(8), 5607-5618; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6080295 - 27 Jul 2023
Abstract
The use of digital models of cultural heritage objects obtained from 3D scanning or photogrammetry requires the development of strategies in order to optimise computational resources and enhance the user experience when they are used in interactive applications or virtual museums. Through a
[...] Read more.
The use of digital models of cultural heritage objects obtained from 3D scanning or photogrammetry requires the development of strategies in order to optimise computational resources and enhance the user experience when they are used in interactive applications or virtual museums. Through a case study, this work compares an original photogrammetric model with its optimised version using traditional remeshing techniques and an improved version using Nanite technology, developed by Epic Games. A self-contained executable is created in Unreal® 5.1 game engine to test the performance of the three models measured in frames per second (FPS). As a result, it was demonstrated that, although there is no substantial difference in the FPS rate, the Nanite technology avoids the need to perform the mesh and texture editing processes that lead to the construction of the optimised model. This saves considerable time and specialised effort, as the photogrammetric model can be converted to a Nanite object automatically. This would be a great advantage in the case of virtualisations of large collections of heritage objects, which is a common case in virtual museums.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage and 3D Assets Utilisation)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Non-Invasive Characterization of Iron Age Glass Finds from the “Gaetano Chierici” Collection in Reggio Emilia (Italy)
by
, , , , , and
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5583-5606; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070294 - 24 Jul 2023
Abstract
This work reports the results of the analyses performed on a set of glass finds from the “Gaetano Chierici” collection in the Civic Museums of Reggio Emilia. Forty-eight typologically heterogeneous glass finds were included in the list of the analyzed objects, dating from
[...] Read more.
This work reports the results of the analyses performed on a set of glass finds from the “Gaetano Chierici” collection in the Civic Museums of Reggio Emilia. Forty-eight typologically heterogeneous glass finds were included in the list of the analyzed objects, dating from the fifth century BCE to the first century CE. The objects primarily consisted of glass beads; however, bangles, pinheads, and one vessel fragment were also included in the set. The items were analyzed using non-invasive spectroscopic methods that were implemented with portable equipment on the museum’s premises. Fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy was used to identify the coloring species in the glass matrix, while X-ray fluorescence spectrometry provided compositional information. Both techniques allowed for a discussion of the mechanisms of coloring and opacification, as well as the raw materials used for this purpose. The results provided a complex picture of the various colorants used to manipulate the appearance of the glass, which was a crucial aspect in the creation of the personal adornments represented by these glass items. The data revealed evidence of different sources of raw glass and colorants. Most of the samples were colored with cobalt, but iron and copper also influenced the color of many of them. Both white and yellow were utilized for the glass decorations, and these colors were achieved with the addition of either antimony-containing crystals or tin-containing ones. This finding suggests that the transition from antimonate to stannate started as early as the second century BCE. The “Gaetano Chierici” collection contains representative objects distributed throughout the investigated period. The results obtained here are a starting point for future studies of glass technology and provenance in the area.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Significance of Things beyond Materiality. Archaeological Glass and Glazes as Archives of Knowledge from the Past)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Interdisciplinary Analysis of Roman Floor Types in the Villa of Diomedes in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5559-5582; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070293 - 23 Jul 2023
Abstract
The present work presents and discusses an analysis of the floor types of the Villa of Diomedes (Pompeii archaeological park in the Campania region, Italy) from an architectural, archaeological, and structural point of view. In particular, the geometrical-structural parameters of different floor types
[...] Read more.
The present work presents and discusses an analysis of the floor types of the Villa of Diomedes (Pompeii archaeological park in the Campania region, Italy) from an architectural, archaeological, and structural point of view. In particular, the geometrical-structural parameters of different floor types and the rules used by ancient builders to design them are investigated by means of interdisciplinary research. The links between structural assumptions, archival sources, geometric survey, in situ visual inspections, and archaeological information make it possible to define the geometrical-structural parameters of eleven barrel vaults, three wooden floors, and three sloped wooden roofs (buried and collapsed during the Vesuvius eruption). A specific study of the barrel vaults is presented to investigate the relationships between the structural parameters of the main vaults. Furthermore, a comparison between the vaults’ dimensions obtained from surveys and those produced by formulations in the literature between the 15th and 20th centuries concerning masonry vault designs is presented and discussed. These analyses, carried out within the framework of the Villa of Diomedes interdisciplinary project, were very useful for interpreting the fabrication of the villa and making a 3D reconstruction model of how the villa probably looked in the fateful year of 79 A.D.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Load Testing of Cultural Heritage Structures and Sculptures: Unconventional Methods for Assessing Safety
by
and
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5538-5558; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070292 - 23 Jul 2023
Abstract
The paper presents the results of static and dynamic experimental tests conducted on historical heritage structures and sculptures. In recent years, there was an increasing need to address the behaviour of these types of structures due to several reasons. Diagnosing the actual condition
[...] Read more.
The paper presents the results of static and dynamic experimental tests conducted on historical heritage structures and sculptures. In recent years, there was an increasing need to address the behaviour of these types of structures due to several reasons. Diagnosing the actual condition of a historical structure involves not only identifying the cause of a detected defect, but also determining its impact and assessing whether the structure can continue to perform safely. This article utilises unconventional loading methods to generate measurable mechanical responses. In one case, a lifting procedure is employed to study strains in a composite structure, while in another example, the mass and movement of people are used as a form of loading. Proof load tests conducted on a monumental sculpture allowed for the determination of load distribution among its heterogeneous structural components, namely a bronze shell and an iron reinforcing frame. Furthermore, the static and dynamic loading of a ceiling supported by a masonry vault demonstrated its ability to withstand anticipated loads resulting from unconventional use as a temporary exhibition space.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Health Monitoring of Historical Buildings)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Ability of the EPR MOUSE to Study Underpaintings
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5524-5537; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070291 - 22 Jul 2023
Abstract
►▼
Show Figures
The possibility of using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) mobile universal surface explorer (MOUSE) to study underpaintings is validated. The depth sensitivity of the EPR MOUSE is measured using an EPR standard, and is verified using three paramagnetic pigments in an acrylic binder
[...] Read more.
The possibility of using the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) mobile universal surface explorer (MOUSE) to study underpaintings is validated. The depth sensitivity of the EPR MOUSE is measured using an EPR standard, and is verified using three paramagnetic pigments in an acrylic binder under opaque acrylic layers of titanium white and lead white. The ability to distinguish and identify two layers of EPR signal-bearing pigments is shown using pairwise sets of ultramarine, Egyptian, and Han blue pigments in an acrylic binder. And finally, the spatial imaging capability is demonstrated using a printed design of magnetite black covered with a solid second layer of the pigment. These studies demonstrate that EPR spectroscopy with the EPR MOUSE is a viable method for studying paramagnetic and ferrimagnetic underlayers of pigments.
Full article
Figure 1
Open AccessEditorial
Tuning and Effectiveness in Heritage Models
by
and
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5516-5523; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070290 - 21 Jul 2023
Abstract
Modelling can explore heritage responses to environmental pressures over wide spatial and temporal scales, testing both theory and process. However, compared to other fields, modelling approaches are not yet as common in heritage management. Some heritage models have become well known, though they
[...] Read more.
Modelling can explore heritage responses to environmental pressures over wide spatial and temporal scales, testing both theory and process. However, compared to other fields, modelling approaches are not yet as common in heritage management. Some heritage models have become well known, though they struggle to have an impact beyond academia, with limited practical applications. Successful models appear to be adaptable to multiple sites or objects, intuitive to use, run using widely available software and produce output translatable into practical actions. Model tuning is also vital for the model to be effective. A specific purpose should be determined from the outset to enable tuning in the earliest design stages. Heritage models can be developed to explore theories or processes that affect or interact with heritage. Input should also be tuned to relevant temporal and spatial scales and consider duration and location. Additionally, it is important to account for materials and elements specific to heritage. Models need to be useful and usable if they are to be effective. User-friendly programs and interfaces help practical use. However, success can create problems, as input and output could become socially or commercially sensitive. The wider use of models may require broader discussion among heritage professionals and the provision of training.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effective Models in Heritage Science)
Open AccessArticle
Artificial Cavities in the Northern Campania Plain: Architectural Variability and Cataloging Challenge
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5500-5515; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070289 - 19 Jul 2023
Abstract
In Campania (southern Italy), the widespread presence of anthropogenic cavities in the subsoil of the Neapolitan and Caserta provinces is well known. In these towns, the underground quarrying activities were performed for centuries to extract volcanic tuffs for buildings. The urban developments have
[...] Read more.
In Campania (southern Italy), the widespread presence of anthropogenic cavities in the subsoil of the Neapolitan and Caserta provinces is well known. In these towns, the underground quarrying activities were performed for centuries to extract volcanic tuffs for buildings. The urban developments have sealed many signals of the presence of cavities and their real extent is almost unknown, thus representing a geological hazard and contributing to the subsoil instability of many places. This contribution will show the main cavity typologies recognized across an area north of Naples according to the geological characteristics of the subsoil. The main aim of the study is the cataloging of the cavities and the analysis of the city subsoil as their presence may easily trigger the collapse of the shallow or deeper soils. Moreover, the recognition and sustainable reuse of cavities contributes to enhancing the cultural and touristic promotion of a territory. In this study, a database framework was elaborated that includes all the possible architectural, geological and geotechnical elements of the cavities. Data were managed in a GIS environment in order to provide a useful tool for monitoring and managing the cavities for risk mitigation and tourism enhancement.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protection of Cultural Heritage from Natural and Manmade Hazards)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Urban Environment of Disappeared Heritage: Graphic Analysis of Puerta Real in Seville
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5469-5499; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070288 - 18 Jul 2023
Abstract
The city of Seville experienced a remarkable rise in the 16th century thanks to trade with America. Based on a report by the architect Hernán Ruiz, it was decided to renovate the gates of the walled city. The Puerta Real, also called Puerta
[...] Read more.
The city of Seville experienced a remarkable rise in the 16th century thanks to trade with America. Based on a report by the architect Hernán Ruiz, it was decided to renovate the gates of the walled city. The Puerta Real, also called Puerta de Goles, was remodelled between 1560 and 1566, and King Philip II entered through it in 1570. However, it was demolished around 1864, and only the remains of the adjacent wall stand today. This research aims to graphically analyse the gate and its immediate surroundings to gain a more profound knowledge of it and to promote its heritage value. To this end, an extensive collection and analysis of historical images has been carried out, which are essential for understanding the transformations of the site. A photograph by Masson (c. 1855–1860) was next used to support the virtual reconstruction of the gate. A 3D laser scanner was also used to document the existing archaeological remains and, via game-engine technology, to recreate rigorously, for the first time, this 16th-century gate in its current environment. This research could be useful for future scientific reconstruction to promote the heritage revitalisation of this city area.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscapes as Cultural Heritage: Contemporary Perspectives)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
A Critical Assessment of the Current State and Governance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5442-5468; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070287 - 18 Jul 2023
Abstract
The port, fortresses, and monuments of Cartagena were included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984. Nevertheless, since 2017 they are threatened to be categorized as “in Danger” by UNESCO. This research analyzes two main critical aspects, governance and the current state
[...] Read more.
The port, fortresses, and monuments of Cartagena were included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984. Nevertheless, since 2017 they are threatened to be categorized as “in Danger” by UNESCO. This research analyzes two main critical aspects, governance and the current state of the site. This study applies an innovative interdisciplinary methodology that merges empirical and scientific approaches to evaluate the governance of Cartagena’s heritage (causes) and its impact on the current state of the tangible cultural heritage (effects). Methodologically, secondary information is used to study governance. The study aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the UNESCO site governance. Exemplary heritage management systems are studied to propose an adaptable management approach specifically for Cartagena. Over the past five years, qualitative data collected through field observations, along with a photographic report, have revealed significant issues stemming from insufficient heritage management. These problems have rarely been addressed in the existing literature. Furthermore, a quantitative approach was taken by analyzing hyperspectral images obtained from a previous study to identify vegetation and asbestos-cement roofs within the cultural heritage site. It takes a unique perspective by investigating the root causes rather than superficial issues. The study comprehensively analyzes various factors, including material degradation, vehicular traffic, environmental elements, urban structure, and architectural integrity, forming an interconnected framework with governance problems. This research offers a broader perspective that considers complex reality and goes beyond isolated problems and solutions. The study reveals that the ambiguity surrounding decision-making authority for heritage management, distributed between the Mayor’s Office and the Ministry of Culture, is a primary challenge. The lack of coordinated action significantly compromises the conservation and protection of the cultural heritage Site. Moreover, twelve current shortcomings of cultural heritage in Cartagena are identified through the authors’ five-year on-site regular visits, photographic reports, and observation. To address the prevailing concerns, a new line of command for cultural heritage management is proposed as the most effective means of tackling these challenges. Additionally, general recommendations are presented to mitigate the existing problems and prevent the classification of Cartagena’s heritage as “at risk” by UNESCO in the near future. Although, each problem identified would need a research project ad hoc to be fully addressed. This research provides a scientific perspective, drawing upon years of experience studying heritage and residing in the city, devoid of political influences or conflicts of interest.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preservation and Revitalisation of Built Heritage)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Reflections on the Forms and Arrangements of Surface Images in the Art of Barniz de Pasto, from the 16th to the 19th Century
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5424-5441; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070286 - 17 Jul 2023
Abstract
Flowers, branches, birds, animals, a diversity of geometric combinations and varied scenes create, with great care, an exquisite and delightfully ornamented world. Among symmetries, proportions, chromatic sense, and repeated figures, themes between the sacred and the profane are set and arranged in the
[...] Read more.
Flowers, branches, birds, animals, a diversity of geometric combinations and varied scenes create, with great care, an exquisite and delightfully ornamented world. Among symmetries, proportions, chromatic sense, and repeated figures, themes between the sacred and the profane are set and arranged in the artistic surfaces of barniz de Pasto. My reflection is aimed at knowing in greater depth the marvelous creations that the barniz de Pasto painters elaborated in the cultural environment of San Juan de Pasto and San Francisco de Quito, by exploring that visual world, which is part of a group of objects made by overlapping layers of membrane to define figures with the presence of silver leaf, in which a significant relief is generally evident. Understanding how the figures were arranged on the surface of the objects, how they were organized, and what system of composition and other possible artistic resources to control the surfaces existed, leads me to consider that the craftsmen had a similar training to that given in the field of the Spanish painter in several of its modalities. Some of the most noted examples of this neogranadino art will be used as examples. I reflect on three examples from different periods and very different in their configuration: a casket, a cabinet, and a tray, all decorated with barniz de Pasto and with different compositional challenges for the artist. Rather than the physical–mechanical use of materials and supports, I focus on the syntax of the image and the techniques used in the organizational structure and its processes, finding that there were ways of organizing the elements in a specific space and that these came from professional practices associated mainly with painting.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lacquer in the Americas)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
NFTs and the Danger of Loss
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5410-5423; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070285 - 15 Jul 2023
Abstract
This research contributes to the discussion around the importance of the long-term preservation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and minted digital artworks. The paper is based on a review of the literature on blockchain in art and heritage management and conservation, with particular attention
[...] Read more.
This research contributes to the discussion around the importance of the long-term preservation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and minted digital artworks. The paper is based on a review of the literature on blockchain in art and heritage management and conservation, with particular attention to references related to the production, marketing, maintenance, and distribution of NFT-based digital art. The aims of this paper involve anticipating potential problems in the oversight of NFTs and setting out good long-term management principles and practices as well as specific preservation strategies. Despite the fact that it also discusses issues over authorship, copyright, creative commons, and open access, the paper is particularly devoted to raising concerns about the high energy consumption associated with blockchain technology and its impact on climate change. It also highlights how the preservation of NFTs cannot be neglected, despite the belief that they last forever. Most studies dedicated to analysing the impact of blockchain technology on the cultural heritage sector ignore the most important issue: preserving not only the minted digital artworks themselves but also the respective blockchain networks. Overall, this paper seeks to foster a collective awareness of the need to reflect on blockchain-related art practices and their implications for the long-term protection of cultural property.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
The Book of Uí Mhaine: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Materiality of the Gaelic Manuscript Tradition
by
, , , , , , , , and
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5393-5409; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070284 - 15 Jul 2023
Abstract
This paper presents the findings of the first multi-analytical investigation of the Book of Uí Mhaine, one of the largest Gaelic Books surviving from the medieval vernacular period. A combination of protein analysis, point X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), multispectral imaging (MSI), point Fiber-Optic
[...] Read more.
This paper presents the findings of the first multi-analytical investigation of the Book of Uí Mhaine, one of the largest Gaelic Books surviving from the medieval vernacular period. A combination of protein analysis, point X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), multispectral imaging (MSI), point Fiber-Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) and point Raman spectroscopy was used to perform a systematic investigation of the Book of Uí Mhaine’s constituent materials, including parchment, inks and pigments. The analysis revealed that the parchment was made of calfskin, both blunt tools and Pb-containing materials were used for ruling the pages throughout the manuscript, and iron-based inks were used to write the content of the book. The decoration was restricted to the initial letters and rubrication across the body text. The decoration color palette was limited to yellow and red, comprising arsenic-, mercury- and lead-based pigments. A copper-based green pigment was found only on one folio. The scientific knowledge acquired through this multi-analytical approach complemented a substantial corpus of knowledge already built by Gaelic scholars, paleographers, codicologists and conservators. This work not only allowed for the consolidation of existing information on methods and materials used for the production of medieval Gaelic manuscripts but also laid the basis for future comparative work with other contemporary traditions in Ireland and Europe.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Stories That Colours Tell: Historical Paintings, Dyes and Varnishes)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Formation of Calcium Oxalate Patinas as Protective Layer on Basaltic Stone Surfaces of 17th Century Raigad Hill Fort, India
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 5374-5392; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070283 - 14 Jul 2023
Abstract
This work reports calcium oxalate film formation on basaltic stone surfaces of the 17th-century western India Raigad Hill Fort. Nine stone samples extracted from the exterior surfaces of different historical structures of the fort were investigated under FTIR, optical microscopy, XRD, and SEM-EDX.
[...] Read more.
This work reports calcium oxalate film formation on basaltic stone surfaces of the 17th-century western India Raigad Hill Fort. Nine stone samples extracted from the exterior surfaces of different historical structures of the fort were investigated under FTIR, optical microscopy, XRD, and SEM-EDX. The FTIR spectroscopy revealed intense peaks for Ca-oxalate patinas on basaltic stone surfaces. Observation under optical microscopy clearly showed milky white oxalate films, and peaks for crystalline calcium oxalate, including rock silicates, were prominently observed through XRD investigations. The surface morphology, the origin of the oxalate film, and the state of conservation of the basalt rock were investigated through SEM-EDX. The massive structures at Raigad, at a height of about 800 m, have hardly been chemically cleaned or coated with preservatives in the past. The presence of organic filaments in SEM photomicrographs indicated the biological origin of the oxalate patina due to the thick growth of microbiota on the monument stone during very heavy monsoons. The oxalic acid secreted by microbes dislodged the Ca-rich plagioclase of the stone, ensuring Ca-ions’ availability for film formation. The optical and mineralogical analyses suggest that the film is not the result of simple deposition but of the surface transformation of basaltic stone.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decay and Conservation Studies of Building Mortars and Stones)
►▼
Show Figures
Figure 1
Highly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Electronics, Eng, Forensic Sciences, Forests, Geosciences, Heritage, Infrastructures, Remote Sensing
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Techniques and Applications
Topic Editors: Pier Matteo Barone, Alastair Ruffell, Carlotta FerraraDeadline: 30 September 2023
Topic in
Diversity, Geosciences, Life, Quaternary, Animals, Fishes, Minerals, Heritage
Unanswered Questions in Palaeontology
Topic Editors: Eric Buffetaut, Julien ClaudeDeadline: 15 November 2023
Topic in
Coatings, Heritage, Materials, Remote Sensing, Sustainability
The Future in the Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Towards Green and Innovative Approaches to the Processes
Topic Editors: Claudia Pelosi, Mauro Francesco La Russa, Tânia Rosado, Luca LanteriDeadline: 30 December 2023
Topic in
Heritage, Tourism and Hospitality
Cultural Tourism Integration Development and Creative Management
Topic Editors: Xinwei Su, Xi Li, Wenqi RuanDeadline: 31 December 2023
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Heritage
Museums for Heritage Preservation and Communication
Guest Editor: Gricelda Herrera-FrancoDeadline: 31 August 2023
Special Issue in
Heritage
Photon-Based Techniques for the Examination of Cultural Heritage Artifacts
Guest Editors: Corinna Ludovica Koch Dandolo, Jean-Paul GuilletDeadline: 30 September 2023
Special Issue in
Heritage
Decay and Conservation Studies of Building Mortars and Stones
Guest Editor: João Pedro VeigaDeadline: 31 October 2023
Special Issue in
Heritage
New Progress of Inorganic Materials in Heritage Science
Guest Editors: Teresa Ferreira, Patrícia Moita, Cristina Galacho, Mafalda CostaDeadline: 15 November 2023
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Heritage
Feature Papers
Collection Editors: Francesco Soldovieri, Nicola Masini