Conveners: Cristina Maria Belfiore (Università di Catania), Laura Medeghini (Sapienza Università di Roma), Luciana Randazzo (Università di Palermo), Michela Ricca (Università della Calabria)
cristina.belfiore@unict.it
cristina.belfiore@unict.it
The degradation of cultural heritage materials represents one of the most important threats for their preservation. It is a complex phenomenon where physical, chemical and biological factors interact with constituent materials inducing changes in both compositional and structural characteristics. The preservation of artifacts against deterioration is of crucial importance in order to protect the world Cultural Heritage. This session is focused on the techniques and methodologies used to investigate the degradation mechanisms of monuments/edifices and artifacts of cultural interest from both on-land and underwater historical/archaeological sites, as well as new strategies, tools and materials for their restoration and conservation. Moreover, this session is aimed at promoting and stimulating discussions among scientists of different expertise involved in Cultural Heritage studies, such as geologists, mineralogists, chemists, physicians and conservation scientists. In-depth interdisciplinary studies exploring diagnostic methods, alteration and/or deterioration phenomena, prevention and conservation treatments are encouraged, in order to offer valuable information to archaeology, art history and conservation and to support preservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- monitoring and characterization of deterioration features of cultural heritage;
- new tools and methods for mapping damage forms of artifacts of cultural relevance;
- forthcoming developments in conservation and restoration knowledge (nanotechnology, biotechnology and green conservation material);
- assessment of efficacy, compatibility, reversibility of innovative conservation treatments and methods.