Journal of Cultural Heritage最新文献

{"title":"A multi-analytical approach for the identification of surface whitening phenomena in contemporary oil painting and its application to metal soaps","authors":"Erika Tarilonte ,&nbsp;Oskar González-Mendia ,&nbsp;Ilaria Costantini ,&nbsp;Kepa Castro ,&nbsp;Itxaso Maguregui","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research presents a multi-analytical approach for the characterization of the degradation products that form white hazes on paint surfaces. The surface of <em>Untitled</em> (1971), an oil painting by Santos Iñurrieta (1950–2023), one of the most noteworthy contemporary Basque artists, was chosen as a representative example. The appearance of surface whitening phenomena is a major issue in oil painting conservation and their identification represents a challenge since their origin can be very diverse. In order to characterize the white substance over <em>Untitled</em> (1971) and understand its formation, a global examination was performed, including radiography and UV induced fluorescence, followed by the analysis of different types of microsamples according to the diagnostic technique applied: paint fragments, cross-sections or surface scrapings. The methodology included the application of several techniques on the aforementioned samples: Digital Microscopy (DM), Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), micro X-Ray Fluorescence (µ-ED-XRF), Raman Spectroscopy, Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The proposed approach resulted in the identification of lead soaps (palmitate and stearate) as the primary cause for the whitening of the painting surface. Additionally, it provided information of the materials and techniques employed by the artist and revealed that the lead source was probably a lead drier. Thus, this work is a step forward in order to deal with one of the most significant problems currently being addressed in contemporary art conservation, providing relevant information for the efficient removal of the different whitening phenomena.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 195-203"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144501653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revealing the history of a Mongolian shrine by virtually unrolling Buddhist Dharanis","authors":"T. Arlt ,&nbsp;B. Kantzenbach","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mongolian Buddhist shrines (mong.: <em>gungervaa</em>) come in a variety of designs, just as the concept of shrines exists across different religions. These shrines are protective containers for icons, such as images or statues of Buddhist teachers, deities, saints, or revered clergy. The central figure is usually surrounded by relics from high-ranking lamas as well as decorative offerings presented by worshippers. Since <em>gungervaas</em> are inherited within the family and offerings are added constantly, they can accumulate diverse sets of items over several generations. It is therefore important to examine and analyze the composition inside and understand each single component. One type of object that is found in <em>gungervaas</em> are Dharanis (spell scriptures). Physically opening these tiny paper scrolls wrapped in silk poses a risk to their preservation, so it is generally not the preferred method. A non-destructive method is needed to decipher the written messages inside. X-ray tomography provides a way to examine the interiors of these fragile objects. By creating a three-dimensional virtual copy, it was possible to analyze and manipulate the content using computer software without harming the scrolls. Finally, text from inside the Dharanis scrolls was successfully extracted and translated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 190-194"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of cement industry, technology, and artistic applications: a historical overview of the Portuguese case within an international context","authors":"Marta Gueidão ,&nbsp;Rui Bordalo ,&nbsp;Sandra Nunes ,&nbsp;Eduarda Vieira","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of the cement industry and technology was a significant driver of progress in construction and artistic applications. Between the late 19th and 20th centuries, cement-based mortars and concrete were widely used in both utilitarian and artistic heritage, serving as structural materials and decorative ornaments. This paper presents a historical overview of the Portuguese cement industry within an international framework. It traces the evolution of modern hydraulic binders from the 18th-century experiments with clay-rich limestone and pozzolan to the 19th-century development of artificial hydraulic lime and major improvements in production processes, kiln design, and chemical analyses, resulting in the standardization of modern artificial Portland cement. These advancements shaped the adaptation and industrialization of cement in Portugal, and marked a gradual transition from natural to artificial cement around the turn of the century. Cement binders imported from England and France continued to dominate the Portuguese market well into the 20th century, even after national production began in the second half of the 19th century.</div><div>While current research on modern cement heritage often focuses on built structures, this study highlights the cultural significance of cementitious public art. It explores the transition from functional to artistic uses of cement, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, through selected case studies that reflect the different techniques and mortar formulations, as well as international influences on Portuguese cementitious heritage. An early example is the <em>Teatro Nacional de São João</em>, where ornaments created with cement-based mortars reinforced with steel bars and metal mesh reflect the influence of French engineering and the pioneering work of Joseph Monier. By contextualizing the Portuguese case within broader technological and artistic trends, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of cementitious heritage and emphasizes the need for further research on Portuguese cement-based artworks from the 20th century. The findings reveal compositional variations and applications that often relied on evolving techniques and experimental mortar formulations. Thus, understanding the material and technical evolution of cement-based mortars, as well as the cross-cultural exchanges that have shaped their use, is essential for the effective preservation and appreciation of this understudied part of modern heritage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 176-189"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144491394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analytical study of a newly excavated fine painted ceiling at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii","authors":"Ilaria Costantini ,&nbsp;Marco Veneranda ,&nbsp;Idoia Etxebarria ,&nbsp;Iñaki Vazquez-de la Fuente ,&nbsp;Jennifer Huidobro ,&nbsp;Sara Puente ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Di Girolami ,&nbsp;Nagore Prieto-Taboada ,&nbsp;Gabriel Zuchtriegel ,&nbsp;Valeria Amoretti ,&nbsp;Alessandro Russo ,&nbsp;Kepa Castro ,&nbsp;Juan Manuel Madariaga ,&nbsp;Gorka Arana","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work concerns an <em>in situ</em> and laboratory study of a fragmented painted ceiling found during the excavations in the <em>Regio IX insula 10</em> of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii (Naples, Italy). This artwork was painted in the Fourth Pompeian style of a unique artistic quality that still maintains a remarkable chromatic vividness. The diagnostic study of the painted fragments aimed to determine whether the quality of the raw materials and execution technique aligned with the artwork's stylistic quality, and to assess the conservation state of the newly excavated wall paintings. The results of the <em>in situ</em> spectroscopic techniques (X-ray fluorescence, Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy techniques) showed the presence of a variety of pigments. Among them, the use of cinnabar, considered one of the most expensive pigments used by the Romans, further highlights the superior quality of the retrieved mural painting. Additionally, an unusual execution technique, involving the application of pigment grains on the surface, has been identified in some areas where Egyptian blue and malachite were found. The study of two micro samples by means of Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) has made possible to investigate the execution techniques. In addition, the observation of the cross sections and the detection of traces of organic material suggested that the wall paintings were realized with <em>secco</em> technique. Fragments from the three preparatory layers (support of the mural painting, <em>arriccio</em> and <em>intonachino</em>) were sampled to perform X-Ray diffraction analysis and extraction of soluble salts followed by ion chromatography analysis. The results obtained with this last technique showed a low content of soluble salts, suggesting that a preventive salt extraction intervention does not need to be performed by restorers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 166-175"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144480344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does the preservation policy of historical and cultural heritage promote economic growth? Evidence from China","authors":"Kunxian Chen ,&nbsp;Xin Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Balancing the preservation of historical and cultural heritage with economic development is a crucial issue in urban sustainability. Although the value of historic and cultural heritage has attracted considerable attention, most previous studies have been based on city case analyses, with few utilizing urban-level data to investigate the causal relationship. Using China’s historical and cultural preservation policy as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper employs the Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach and combines 2000–2019 Chinese county-level data to explore the economic outcome of the Historical and Cultural City (HCC) award. We find that the creation of HCC significantly promotes the economic growth of counties, and this conclusion still holds after parallel trend test and a series of robustness checks. In addition, we check the mechanism from three perspectives: cultural consumption and industry development, employment structure change, and infrastructure, and find that being selected as HCC significantly increases the number of registered enterprises in culture-related services, increases the number of tourists and tourism revenues in the city, facilitates the transfer of employment from the primary to the tertiary industry, and improves the density of the road network. Finally, our heterogeneity analysis indicates that there are geographic and endowment differences in the growth effects of HCC policy, which have a more positive contribution to the economic growth of western regions, provincial border counties, resource-based cities, and poor counties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 157-165"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermo-mechanical analysis for a historic statue based on a CFD-FEA coupled modeling method","authors":"Na He ,&nbsp;Heng Yi ,&nbsp;Dongbo Hu ,&nbsp;Quan Yuan ,&nbsp;Xiongwei Zhao ,&nbsp;Tan Zeng ,&nbsp;Huacheng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thermo-mechanical effect on historic stones, so-called “insolation weathering”, is a significant cause of stone decay. A 3D transient CFD-FEA coupled model is established to characterize and visualize the thermo-mechanical effect on a historic stone statue, while environmental factors including solar radiation, wind, and air temperature are taken into account. In this model, the CFD module is applied to perform thermal analysis between the statue and its surrounding environment, while the FEA module is applied to perform thermal and stress analyses on the statue. The established model is then applied to perform transient analysis for the statue, and effects of the environmental factors are evaluated by sensitivity analysis. Values for wind speed, solar radiation intensity, and air temperature applied in the model are chosen based on typical weather conditions in summer. Thermal results of the transient analysis show that heat is firstly radiated to surface of the statue, so the maximum temperature in the statue is recognized on the surface. The heat on the surface then partly dissipates into the air, and partly conducts to the interior. Mechanical results of the analysis show that regions with higher deformation constraints have higher maximum principal stress values, and those directly exposed to wind have higher surface pressure. The sensitivity analysis shows that higher solar radiation intensity and air temperature result in higher solid temperatures and higher maximum principal stress values. Higher wind speed results in lower solid temperature and lower maximum principal stress values. This work proves that the CFD-FEA coupled modeling method is a useful tool to quantitively investigate thermo-mechanical effects on historic stones.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 148-156"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144472261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wood under the lens: Unveiling ancient Egyptian heritage","authors":"Alan Crivellaro ,&nbsp;Flavio Ruffinatto ,&nbsp;Monika Zöller-Engelhardt ,&nbsp;Alma Piermattei ,&nbsp;Tina Beck","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Studying wooden objects from ancient Egypt provides valuable insights into past economies, craftsmanship, and trade networks. However, traditional wood identification methods are often invasive, restricting research on fragile and museum-conserved items. Here, we present WoodScope, an interdisciplinary approach combining visual, macroscopic, and microscopic techniques to enhance the identification accuracy of ancient Egyptian wooden objects while preserving their integrity. Applied to 187 nearly 4000-year-old objects from diverse funerary contexts, WoodScope revealed significant links between material choices and cultural practices, including the first documented use of grape wood in a funerary cow model. This approach bridges preservation ethics, scientific precision and challenges related to object accessibility, offering a transformative framework for studying ancient wooden objects, advancing archaeological research, and informing conservation strategies for ancient Egypt’s cultural heritage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 138-147"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144312472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pectin-wood shaving composite for filling wormholes in decorative paintings of historic wooden architecture","authors":"Kuiju Li,&nbsp;Kezhu Han,&nbsp;Xin Liu,&nbsp;Yuyao Ruan,&nbsp;Xunwei Li,&nbsp;Guangtao Zhao,&nbsp;Yuhu Li,&nbsp;Yujia Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wooden historical architecture is susceptible to wormhole damage due to prolonged exposure to biological factors, compromising the structural integrity and esthetic appearance. To address this issue, this study proposes a pectin-wood shaving composite with boron sodium oxide tetrahydrate (BSOT) and waterborne polyurethane (WP) as the filling material for the restoration of wormholes in wooden components. Accelerated hygrothermal degradation tests were performed under fluctuating temperature and relative humidity conditions, and the shrinkage rate, compressive strength, shear strength, bonding strength, color difference, and morphological characteristics were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscopy (LCM). The experimental results indicated that the optimal composition of the filling material was 54 % wood shavings, 34 % pectin, 5 % WP, and 5 % BSOT. This composite material exhibited good dimensional stability, improved mechanical performance, weather resistance, antifungal properties, and compatibility with wood. The application of the pectin-wood shaving composite provides a novel approach to the restoration and preservation of similar structural damages in historic wooden architecture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 120-129"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144263096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preserving sandstone artifacts in humid conditions: Antifungal efficiency of F-ZnO/SiO2 coatings","authors":"Yumei Chai ,&nbsp;Aranzazu Sierra Fernandez ,&nbsp;Biao Zhang ,&nbsp;Hongjie Luo ,&nbsp;Xichen Zhao ,&nbsp;Mato Knez ,&nbsp;Jianfeng Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sandstone buildings in humid environments are highly susceptible to fungal colonization, which poses a significant threat to the buildings’ preservation. Therefore, the development of coatings with antimicrobial properties is essential to protect these structures. This study demonstrates the antifungal activity and durability of amphiphobic and UV-absorbing F-ZnO/SiO₂ (FZS) coatings. We show that the coating efficiently inhibits the growth of <em>Aspergillus niger</em>, protecting the sandstone surface from one of the most common molds. A fungal inhibition rate of up to 94 % was achieved with FZS nanocomposite concentrations &gt;0.30 % (g/L). To ensure consistent antifungal performance along with enhanced water repellency and durability under practical conditions, a concentration of 0.37 % was selected for the FZS coating. Accelerated aging tests revealed that the coated sandstone retained its antifungal activity for over 56 days under harsh environmental conditions, exhibiting an antifungal effect 800 % greater than that of uncoated sandstone. After 70 days, the coating still retained its water repellency. These results underscore the potential of the coating for long-term protection of sandstone relics, offering durability and ease of maintenance for real-world applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 130-137"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144263097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rainfall infiltration characteristics and stability analysis of rammed earth city walls based on Richards equation","authors":"Jianwei Yue ,&nbsp;Shijun Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenfeng Wang ,&nbsp;Xuanxuan Xing ,&nbsp;Mengen Yue ,&nbsp;Jing Lu ,&nbsp;Shaopeng Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.05.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extreme rainfall causes the collapse of rammed earth city walls. Understanding the depth of rainwater infiltration and the distribution of internal moisture content is crucial for analyzing the impact of rainfall on the safety and stability of these walls. This study focuses on the rammed earth city wall at the Mall site in Zhengzhou. Based on Richards' equation, the water motion equation of rammed earth wall is deduced and established. The change of moisture content of rammed earth wall and the development of wetting front under rainfall condition are studied. The stability of the rammed earth city wall under rainfall infiltration is analyzed by finite element methods. The results show that the water motion equation can effectively describe the moisture distribution inside the rammed earth city wall during rainfall. As the rainfall continues, the wetting front deepens, and the depth of the saturated zone increases. Just below the wetting front, the moisture content decreases rapidly and eventually returns to its initial value. the water motion equation provides a theoretical basis for analyzing water-related damage in rammed earth walls. Factors such as the initial soil moisture content, rainfall duration, and rainfall intensity significantly influence the distribution of the wetting front and moisture content. The saturation of the upper soil layers reduces the shear strength of the shallow soil, leading to a decrease in the safety factor, which can result in shallow landslides and collapse of the rammed earth wall. The research results can provide theoretical support for the analysis of water infiltration law of rammed earth city walls under rainfall conditions, and provide reference for revealing the instability mechanism of rammed earth city walls induced by rainfall.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"74 ","pages":"Pages 106-119"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144263095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}