Search results for "cultural heritage."
showing 10 items of 759 documents
Exploring the “Cozy Cabal of Academics, Dealers and Collectors” through the Schøyen Collection
2020
In the wake of the trade in ancient materials, several ethical and political issues arise that merit concern: The decimation of the cultural heritage of war-torn countries, proliferation of corruption, ideological connotations of orientalism, financial support of terrorism, and participation in networks involved in money laundering, weapon sales, human trafficking and drugs. Moreover, trafficking and trading also have a harmful effect on the fabric of academia itself. This study uses open sources to track the history of the private Schø
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…
X-ray computed tomography investigations of Cucuteni ceramic statuettes:
2013
Deciphering the internal structure of prehistoric artefacts can provide spectacular insights that might help us understand the people who made them. In order to preserve the integrity of these relics of past civilisations, it is desirable to make such investigations using non-destructive techniques. Recent decades have witnessed a growth in the X-ray computed tomography (CT) applications in the study of cultural heritage objects. This paper presents and discusses tomographic investigations of two Cucuteni ceramic statuettes discovered in Romania. The study was made with a CT device specially designed for archaeometric applications.
An Overview of Geophysical Techniques and Their Potential Suitability for Archaeological Studies
2023
The need to study, protect, and conserve archaeological heritage has enhanced the application of geophysical techniques as non-invasive and reliable tools to investigate fragile and valuable assets. This review presents the most popular geophysical techniques suitable for archaeogeophysical investigations, namely, magnetometry, ground penetrating radar, and electrical resistivity tomography, together with a series of multiparametric measures taken from aerial platforms (UAS). For each method, we recall the basic physical principles, illustrate the operative procedures for field investigation, and provide indications about data processing and modeling. We propose a flowchart to address relia…
Spectroscopic analysis used to uncover the original paint colour of the Helsinki Government Palace tower clock faces
2016
The paint stratigraphy of the two clock faces from the tower clock of the Government Palace in Helsinki (Finland) was analysed in order to determine their original colour before restoration works. Paint cross-section samples from both clock faces were analysed by confocal Raman microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The results revealed the complex superimposition of paint layers applied over the original black colour. FTIR/ATR analyses proved that the original paint was prepared with linseed oil-resin media. Most likely not all of the different layer colours were visible. Some of the layers were likely to have been a primer…
Deep learning to detect built cultural heritage from satellite imagery. - Spatial distribution and size of vernacular houses in Sumba, Indonesia -
2021
Abstract In Sumba Island – Indonesia, the implantation of vernacular houses, inside and outside traditional villages, is considered to be an efficient proxy for the on-going complex cultural transformations resulting from globalization. This study presents an easily reproducible workflow allowing buildings to be automatically detected from satellite imagery, demonstrating how modern computer vision methods based on deep learning can help in this task, which would be far too time-consuming when undertaken by hand. Eight deep learning architectures based on convolutional neural networks were compared in terms of ability to identify and locate precisely traditional houses from satellite images…
Archaeometric Study of Two Tanagra Type Statuettes of Unknown Provenance to Support Forensic Study
2022
This paper is concerned with a morphological-stylistic and archaeometric study of two small pottery statues, confiscated by the Cosenza Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Anti-Counterfeiting (Calabria, Italy). The research aimed to establish the authenticity of the artworks and to verify a possible origin from the same workshop manufacturing, by providing indications about the textural features and raw materials used for their production. For these purposes, the analytical approach involved the use of minero-petrographic and physical analysis, as follows: petrographic analysis (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermoluminescence tests (TL). The preliminary observat…
Exotic insect pests: The impact of the Red Palm Weevil on natural and cultural heritage in Palermo (Italy)
2013
Abstract The impact of invasive exotic pests is increasingly recognised as a global issue. A global strategy to address the exotic pest problem is beginning to evolve, albeit slowly. The International Plant Protection Convention (FAO) has begun the process of harmonizing standards for pest risk analysis to minimise the spread of exotic pests without adversely impacting global trade. However if the impacts of insect invasive species on human health and on agriculture have attracted worldwide attention, researchers and policymakers address directly the connection between invasive species and damage to natural and cultural heritages. The cost of these losses is generally neglected or underesti…