P6. Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage

The study, preservation and valorisation of cultural heritage constitutes a research field of paramount importance, not only for the advancement in the reconstruction and understanding of ancient societies, but also to plan a more sustainable development of modern anthropic processes according to the tangible and intangible legacies of our past. In this perspective, the contribution of Earth Sciences is fundamental to characterize processes of extraction, transformation, utilization, and degradation of cultural heritage geomaterials.
This session solicits contributions from all the disciplines related to the Earth Sciences applied to archaeological and historical cultural heritage materials and sites, with a specific focus on geomaterials, both for building (mortars, plasters, concretes, structural stones, functional ceramics) and decorative/ornamental purposes (potteries, pigments, glasses, decorative stones etc . . . ). Furthermore, contributions regarding the study and development of novel heritage-inspired geomaterials for restoration and sustainable building purposes are welcomed, as well as studies regarding the interaction between heritage geomaterials and the environment (climate, microclimate and pollution). Case studies and research works will be taken into consideration, applying both traditional and innovative analytical techniques in the field of Geomaterials Science, with approaches ranging from non-destructive to medium-invasive.