Journal of Cultural Heritage最新文献

{"title":"A novel traditional technique: Study on microstructure and performance of copper inlay decorative treatment on steel blades","authors":"Chaoqun Bu ,&nbsp;Wei Wu ,&nbsp;Xiaocen Li ,&nbsp;Qian Zhang ,&nbsp;Ping Chen ,&nbsp;Wenming Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the generational inheritance of traditional crafts, a great deal of important technique information is not directly recorded in literature or archaeological materials. This study analyzes the traditional copper inlay technique used on Longquan Blades, including the inlaying of pure copper and brass on both sides of the steel blade. The main findings of this study are presented as follows based on the use of OM, SEM, EDS, microhardness testing, and electrochemical measurements: (1) Copper is inlaid through a solid-liquid-solid phase transition, successfully bonding the copper decoration with the steel blade matrix, thereby forming a stable inlay interface, demonstrating the feasibility of the liquid copper inlay technique for metal ware decoration. However, the metallurgical bond was not formed at the interface. (2) Hardness test results show that the surface hardness of the steel blade matrix (167.5∼206.3 HV) &gt; copper/steel bonding interface (152.3∼183.9 HV) &gt; copper decoration zone (76.4∼91.9 HV). This hardness gradient is likely to exacerbate stress concentration at the bonding interface. (3) Further electrochemical analysis reveals that the corrosion resistance of the samples follows the order: L01-A &lt; L02-A &lt; L01-C &lt; L02-B &lt; L01-B. This indicates that the composite material interface with inlaid copper has a greater corrosion tendency than single materials. Additionally, the corrosion rate at the bonding interface of brass-inlay samples is lower than that of pure copper-inlay samples. Therefore, this study provides a practical method for reconstructing endangered craftsmanship and technical pathways, underscoring the broader significance of this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 194-206"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144739190","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":"New AI challenges for cultural heritage protection: A general overview","authors":"Francesco Colace ,&nbsp;Rosario Gaeta ,&nbsp;Angelo Lorusso ,&nbsp;Michele Pellegrino ,&nbsp;Domenico Santaniello","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cultural heritage plays an important social role in preserving collective identity and history, acting as a link between past, present and future. In this same context, the contribution of technological innovations plays a fundamental role as it provides the tools and solutions needed to address the issues of cultural heritage preservation and enhancement. This study presents a comprehensive review of the application of machine learning (ML) techniques in the field of cultural heritage (CH) protection, highlighting important developments and innovations in recent years. The main applications of ML and AI methodologies are analyzed, including artefact analysis, restoration, conservation strategies, and enhancing the visitor experience. The available studies are classified according to the areas of application, the types of data and technologies employed and the types of cultural heritage assets they focus on. The classification also highlights potential research challenges and provides indications for future directions. The study shows the increasing adoption of the multidisciplinary approach combining ML and AI with traditional tools of protection and conservation. The discussion is articulated through the reinterpretation of several case studies that demonstrate the real implications of such technologies, including the preventive maintenance of buildings, as well as the digitalization and three-dimensional recreation of artefacts and visitor experiences through virtual and augmented reality. This highlights the need for closer collaboration between technicians, conservators, and cultural workers to ensure thoughtful, ethical, and effective integration of these technologies into cultural heritage conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 168-193"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144738679","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":"A novel approach for assemblage of historical artefacts using the Levenshtein distance and feedback loop","authors":"Stanisław Piotr Skulimowski,&nbsp;Jerzy Montusiewicz","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Broken museum artefacts are often incomplete and lack distinctive visual features that allow for clear identification. This makes it difficult for researchers to gain a more in-depth understanding of the past.</div><div>The article presents an original method, Skul-Mont, for reassembling broken two-dimensional elements with the conversion of their contours into abstract words. The method utilizes linguistic measures to search for word fragments matching, and utilizes a feedback loop mechanism to combine automated search with expert domain knowledge. The article discusses an example of arranging a broken relief from the Afriasyab Museum of Samarkand.</div><div>The feedback loop mechanism used in the experiment allows automatic solution determination based on only information about the contours of the elements. Experts can verify possible solutions, for example, by evaluating the continuity of the texture of individual fragments of the relief. Clusters of elements were identified that could be enlarged and amalgamated, based on the outcomes of subsequent iterations. Ultimately, a complete representation of the broken relief was obtained. The results confirm the efficacy of the methodology in arranging fragmented 2D entities and its potential to automate the search for feasible methods of assembling components. The method described in the article with a feedback loop can be considered as a valuable tool to aid museum employees and archaeologists in their efforts to assemble fragmented historical artefacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 158-167"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144713899","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":"Medieval polychromy from Parisian Gothic sculptures (1145–1250): Tracing stone preparation techniques by chemical analyses and radiocarbon dating of lead white","authors":"Stéphanie Duchêne ,&nbsp;Lucile Beck ,&nbsp;Ingrid Caffy ,&nbsp;Ludovic Bellot-Gurlet ,&nbsp;Damien Berné ,&nbsp;Philippe Plagnieux","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a comprehensive analysis of preparatory layers of polychrome decoration of the portals of three major Parisian Gothic monuments dating from the mid-twelfth through the mid-thirteenth centuries: Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, Notre-Dame cathedral and Paris Sainte-Chapelle. Through a multi-analytical approach combining microscopy, spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, and radiocarbon dating, we characterized the composition and chronology of the preparatory layers.</div><div>Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses reveal a consistent use of lead white as the primary component in preparatory layers across all monuments, with variations in minor materials. The Notre-Dame Last Judgment portal uniquely shows a two-layer system: a lead white base followed by yellow ochre, with evidence of environmental exposure between applications. The Sainte-Chapelle samples contain distinctive traces of minium mixed with lead white, while Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Notre-Dame's Sainte-Anne portal share similar compositions of lead white mixed with calcium carbonate and aluminosilicates.</div><div>Radiocarbon dating of lead white provides unprecedented chronological evidence. The Sainte-Anne portal samples date to 1016–1158 CE, confirming the reuse of 12th-century elements. The Last Judgment portal samples yield dates of 1035–1164 CE, while Sainte-Chapelle samples date to 1040–1163 CE. Although these dates represent lead white pigment synthesis rather than application, they raise questions about sophisticated material supply networks as well as storage practices in medieval times.</div><div>Thanks to the combination of analytical techniques implemented, this research has made it possible to identify different stone preparation techniques within the same building and the evidence of phased applications challenges previous assumptions about medieval workshop practices and construction site phases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 147-157"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144713898","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":"An artificial intelligence-based semiquantitative method based on visible spectroscopy and imaging to analyse inorganic red pigments in wall paintings","authors":"Roberto Sáez-Hernández ,&nbsp;Jordi Cruz ,&nbsp;Manel Alcalà-Bernàrdez ,&nbsp;Ángel Morales-Rubio ,&nbsp;M. Luisa Cervera","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing data analysis by introducing innovative and enhanced methods for data processing. In this article, a chemometric semiquantitative model based on visible spectroscopy and digital image colorimetry was applied to estimate the metal content in inorganic pigments. The model utilized Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) regression methods to correlate spectral and colorimetric data with elemental composition. Replicas were prepared and painted with three red inorganic pigments (cinnabar, hematite and minium), and they were analysed using portable X-ray fluorescence, visible reflectance spectroscopy, and digital imaging. Cross-reference between elemental and colorimetric information was performed using Support Vector Regression and Artificial Neural Networks, and the models were validated through Venetian-blinds cross-validation. In the calibration step, Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) for Fe, Pb, and Hg were 0.03, 3.5, and 3.0 %, respectively, with correlation values (R²) of 0.99, 0.90, and 0.94. For the prediction set, RMSE was 3.0, 2.6, and 2.3 %, for Fe, Pb, and Hg, respectively, with R² of 0.83, 0.92 and 0.81. This article demonstrates that innovative data treatment models, coupled with non-invasive and portable techniques, allow us to estimate the content of elements in inorganic pigments in Cultural Heritage samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 139-146"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711675","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":"Novel approaches for enhanced visualisation and recognition of rock carvings at Stonehenge","authors":"Gavin Leong ,&nbsp;Matthew Brolly ,&nbsp;Hugo Anderson-Whymark ,&nbsp;David J. Nash ,&nbsp;Jon Bedford","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The sarsen uprights at Stonehenge feature the largest panels of Early Bronze Age axe-head carvings in the world. Archaeologists use these carvings to better understand the significance of the monument. Between 2011 and 2012, the analysis of laser scanning and photogrammetric data led to the identification of 71 axe-head carvings and one dagger carving, in addition to the 44 carvings already known. Recent advances in carving visualisation and machine learning warrants a reanalysis of this data using new methods. Two novel techniques for carving visualisation, difference of Gaussians and pseudo-depth mapping, are introduced and compared to four recent techniques, radiance scaling, openness, distance between meshes, and extended difference of Gaussians. On the northwest face of Stone 53, difference of Gaussians highlighted the presence of two previously unidentified carvings, ten potential areas of carving, and nine alternative interpretations on previously found carvings. Pseudo-depth mapping revealed the presence of a further two previously unidentified carvings. In addition, an existing classifier for 3-D shape representation, MeshNet, is converted into a technique for carving recognition. MeshNet achieved 90.7 % accuracy on labelling samples of surfaces at Stonehenge with and without carvings, close to the benchmark performance of 91.9 % on ModelNet40. Both difference of Gaussians and pseudo-depth mapping can be implemented for visualisation of highly faded rock carvings in under two hours and under ten minutes respectively, while the application of MeshNet serves as a feasibility study of semi-automated carving recognition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 112-121"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703377","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":"Recent advances in the analytical and experimental study of mineralised textiles","authors":"Loïc Bertrand ,&nbsp;Clémence Iacconi ,&nbsp;Ineke Joosten ,&nbsp;Caroline Tokarski ,&nbsp;Ilaria Degano ,&nbsp;Jiayi Li ,&nbsp;Laura Hendriks ,&nbsp;Étienne Anheim ,&nbsp;Sasja van der Vaart-Verschoof ,&nbsp;Karina Grömer","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mineralised textiles — altered remnants of organic textiles preserved by the diffusion of metallic cations from nearby artefacts or the environment — have gradually emerged as an essential source of information on the production and use of textiles in prehistoric and antique societies, as well as on their implication on the economy, technological developments and trade. In many contexts, they are the only evidence of productions known either indirectly through tools or not at all. In this review, we highlight the contribution of analytical methods in recent years to their study, an evolution that began with the emerging use of optical and then electron microscopy in the 1960s and 1970s. In particular, we describe the most recent period, which has seen (i) the widespread use of digital optical microscopy in laboratories and museums, (ii) the adoption of approaches aimed at characterising molecular signatures, even for highly altered textiles, and (iii) the development of micro-imaging methods, particularly using synchrotron radiation or laser sources. We are finding that these methods are making an increasing contribution to the field of archaeology. We outline possible prospects for the research and documentation of mineralised textiles and the possible impact of imaging methods on museum displays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 122-138"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703378","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":"Uncovering a lost narrative: Rediscovering Paulus Potter's Head of a White Bull through multidisciplinary analysis","authors":"Natalia Macro ,&nbsp;Muirne Lydon ,&nbsp;Jolijn Schilder ,&nbsp;Abbie Vandivere ,&nbsp;Francesca Gabrieli ,&nbsp;Annelies van Loon","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.022","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.022","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Head of a White Bull</em>, a fragmentary painting attributed to Paulus Potter (1625–1654), has been identified as part of a lost composition depicting <em>The Abduction of Europa</em>. Multidisciplinary analysis, including infrared reflectography (IRR), reflectance imaging spectroscopy in the shortwave infrared range (RIS-SWIR), handheld and macro X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), revealed hidden details such as the figure of Europa and provided insights into the painting’s material history. The study uncovered compositional differences between the original and overpaint layers. Differences in the composition of the original smalt, a cobalt-containing blue pigment, suggest variations in pigment sources or processing methods. The overpaint, applied to conceal Europa’s figure, was found to contain a mixture of Prussian blue and Naples yellow, indicative of later interventions. The condition of these original areas is of a very high standard, further affirming the remarkable preservation of the underlying composition. These findings not only reconstruct the lost narrative but also raise important questions about the ethical presentation of fragmentary works, challenging traditional notions of completeness and artistic intent. This research highlights the value of interdisciplinary approaches in art historical and conservation studies, offering new perspectives on the evolution of paintings over time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 104-111"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703379","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":"Identification of low-concentration tar in wood samples from archaeological contexts by ATR-FTIR","authors":"Thea P.B. Christophersen ,&nbsp;Kidane Gebremariam ,&nbsp;Ole Risbøl ,&nbsp;Elizabeth E. Peacock","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The investigation of pine tar residues in wood recovered from a waterlogged historic pine tar production site is presented. The site is a wood tar kiln constructed in a mire, a mode of production distinct to Central Norway. Due to lack of surviving visible wood tar, this study involves a non-invasive and micro-destructive approach. Samples taken from the wood were analyzed by a combination of fluorescence microscopy, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Due to low concentrations of surviving wood tar, the study aimed at developing a method to reliably identify and differentiate the scarce tar residues from the wood substrate in the specimens. The results were compared against known reference materials of modern pine tar, as well as tar residue extracted from a medieval archaeological textile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 93-103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703376","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":"Studying archaeological iron corrosion in the ground – Sample handling to avoid undesirable changes","authors":"E. Granget ,&nbsp;O. Cocen ,&nbsp;S. Azad ,&nbsp;L. Brambilla","doi":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper evaluates sampling and storage methods for the study of iron archaeological artifacts, aiming to minimize unwanted changes. The selected methods will be used to handle samples in multiple studies utilizing neutron and X-ray computed tomography (NX-CT) to monitor 3D transformations in artifacts during time series experiments. It is thus important to keep full control of the parameters that could induce such changes.</div><div>Two main approaches were tested: 1. imaging iron nails with their surrounding soil to maintain quasi-in-situ conditions and 2. imaging iron nails with a limited amount of soil to improve imaging resolution, also applicable for fully excavated nails. The highly variable soil moisture levels caused option 1 to be discarded, due to difficulties in reconstructing the tomograms. For the nails from setup 2, image reconstruction was successful. Additionally, to prevent unwanted changes occurring during storage, various short-term anoxic storage options were tested. Results showed that keeping the samples in Intercept® bags with RP-K oxygen scavengers and shortening the waiting time between experiments effectively minimized alterations like moisture loss, microcracks, and material displacement. In contrast, prolonged storage in the imaging sample holder caused noticeable unwanted changes.</div><div>The findings emphasize the importance of optimized handling and storage to distinguish changes caused by external factors of interest. These protocols ensure accurate assessments of post-excavation conditions and conservation treatments, providing valuable insights into the preservation of archaeological iron artifacts and advancing the study of long-term corrosion processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15480,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cultural Heritage","volume":"75 ","pages":"Pages 64-73"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679994","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}