Search results for "Spectroscopy"

Conflicting needs of the thermal indoor environment of museums: In search of a practical compromise

2008

Thermal indoor microclimate conditions in museum buildings refer to two important requirements: the preservation of works of art and the comfort of visitors to these buildings and/or those working inside them. Unfortunately, different works of art have different internal parameters which render the management and control of the indoor thermal microclimate difficult. In this work the values proposed by various standards for the thermal environment of museum buildings have been revised. Moreover, the indoor microclimatic conditions relating to people's comfort have been described, with the aim of singling out possible common ranges for these parameters. With this aim, a useful simultaneousnes…

Control of indoor environments in heritage buildings: experimental measurements in an old Italian museum and proposal of a methodology

2005

Abstract This paper describes some results from an experiment carried out regarding a procedure to be adopted for temperature and R.H. monitoring of indoor spaces designed for exhibiting events, such as museums and similar institutions. The monitored data employed in this study has been collected by the Department di Ricerche Energetiche ed Ambientali of the Universita degli Studi di Palermo in co-operation with the Regional Gallery ''Palazzo Abatellis'' of Palermo. The study analyses a simple method for characterising the environmental quality of museums so as to ensure the optimal conservation of works of art. This methodology is based on the procedure (where thermal and hygrometry parame…

Statistical analysis of engraving traces on a 3D digital model of prehistoric stone stelae

2016

International audience; Studying cultural heritage artefacts, using 3D digital models, is gaining interest. It not only allows applications in documentation and visualisation, but also permits further contact-less examination. In this paper, we are presenting a statistical analysis of stone engravings based on features that were semi-automatically extracted from 3D acquisition data. Our objects of study are two Neolithic stone stelae and a faithful replica that was created in the course of an archaeological study. We use common statistical methods and investigate the populations of depth and diameter of the engraving traces, as well as their correlation. We observe that the erosion of the t…

Flos Tectorii degradation of mortars: An example of synergistic action between soluble salts and biodeteriogens

2015

Abstract The definition of Flos Tectorii, originally suggested by F.S. Brancato in the 1980s’ (Brancato, 1986), refers to a unique form of deterioration identified on both aerial and hydraulic mortars used in the external walls of historic and contemporary buildings. It is clearly recognizable due to the development of peculiar concentric (occasionally sub-circular) macroscopic forms. At present, there is still a lack of information about the full interpretation of this phenomenon regarding the interaction between the different physicochemical and biological factors that lead to this particular type of degradation. The present study was aimed to examine whether the specific mineralogical an…

Two operative risk indicators as tools for negotiating contracts between curators of Museums and HVAC technical services providers

2020

Abstract The purpose of Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems in museums is to properly control important microclimate parameters; such systems, in fact, apart from ensuring the visitors’ wellbeing, are requested to guarantee suitable indoor conditions for the proper conservation of the important cultural goods hosted by museums. Hence, in case of disservice, or interruption due to maintenance interventions, it is important to quantify the economic damage induced to exhibited and/or stored works of art (or even to the building museum itself). Accordingly, it is essential to guarantee the shortest possible period of disservice during which probable damages for the works of…

Towards a genetic history of Sicily

2000

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ACQUALADRONE ROSTRUM

2011

The archaeological discovery of the Acqualadrone rostrum (an offensive naval weapon mounted on the prow at the waterline), off the Italian coast near Messina in 2008, has led to the need for scientific research in order to plan the conservation treatment of this artefact. The discovery is exceptional because of the presence of a wooden section from the original ship. This paper describes the physico-chemical characterization of a metallic and two wooden samples by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 13 C{ 1 H} cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, energy-dispe…

CORRELATION BETWEEN SPECTRAL, SEM/EDX AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MAYA BLUE: A CHEMOMETRIC STUDY*

2009

Visible spectra, composition from SEM/EDX and solid-state electrochemical data are correlated for a set of 12 Maya Blue samples from different archaeological sites of Campeche and Yucatan (Mexico). In addition to indigo and dehydroindigo, indirubin and other possibly indigo-type compounds can be detected in Maya Blue samples. Application of hierarchical cluster analysis techniques allows similarity relationships to be established between samples from different sites, confirming prior results which suggest that the preparation of Maya Blue pigment evolved with time during the Maya culture following a ramified scheme.

The Protohistoric sword from Le Gué-de-Velluire (Vendée, France): a pasticcio's history unveiled by archaeometrical research

2020

International audience; The Gué-de-Velluire sword (Vendée, France) is part of the Rochebrune collection collected during the 19 th and the 20 th centuries and now preserved in the Dobrée Museum in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique, France). The unusual shape of its hilt, its uncorroded rivets and the rather uncommon combination of a bronze grip with an iron blade made this sword an exceptional object. It has been depicted in a large number of papers since the 20 th century, but the question of its authenticity has hardly ever been tackled. New analyses performed with the support of the Dobrée Museum, the Arc'Antique laboratory and Ghent University delivered new data enabling us to discuss this delic…

A Late Roman industrial complex with glass furnaces in the northern area of Valencia

2008

Abstract Information from excavations in Conde de Trenor street (1997) and Cisneros square (1986 and 1998) has confirmed that this area situated in the north of Valencia was a river port district dedicated to commercial activities and storing goods during the Roman Imperial period and maybe also in the Republican period. At the end of the third century A.D. the function of these port buildings changed and the evidence suggests that they became industrial workshops. The bases of three circular furnaces were found with fragments of glass containers, bottles, glasses, window panes and some slag. The recent excavation which took place in 2004–2006 in the Palau Cervero , 4 Cisneros square also s…