Heritage

21 pages, 856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interpreting Collapse in Norse Greenland: Why Similar Data Produces Different Conclusions

by Rowan Jackson and Andrew Dugmore

Heritage 2025, 8(8), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080293 - 22 Jul 2025

This paper examines interpretations of depopulation in Norse Greenland between the 14th and 15th centuries CE. Using in-depth interviews with 13 experts working on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of settlement and depopulation in Norse Greenland, we examine the different interpretations of [...] Read more.

This paper examines interpretations of depopulation in Norse Greenland between the 14th and 15th centuries CE. Using in-depth interviews with 13 experts working on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of settlement and depopulation in Norse Greenland, we examine the different interpretations of decline by experts using the same data. Our analysis reveals a geographical and disciplinary pattern of interpretation that reflects the institutional and disciplinary cultures, successive paradigms, and placed ideas about human–environment interaction. We examine the interplay between data and interpretation to uncover key developments in knowledge of the past and ideas about both the role of climate, ecology and social, economic and political processes in the end of the Norse settlement in Greenland, as well as their wider persistence in the North Atlantic region. In particular, we emphasise the importance of active reflection on disciplinary training, schools of thought, and national narratives in both the interpretation and perceived relevance of the past. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Archaeology of Climate Change)

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6 pages, 195 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Digital Innovation for the Documentation, Management, and Fruition of Cultural Heritage

by Marcello La Guardia, Mila Koeva and Mauro Lo Brutto

Heritage 2025, 8(8), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080292 - 22 Jul 2025

Abstract

Recent years have been characterised by a profound transformation in the field of Cultural Heritage (CH), shaped by interdisciplinary methodologies, digital innovation and the demand for more inclusive, sustainable management approaches [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twins and 3D Web Exploration for the Management, Enjoyment and Conservation of Cultural Heritage)

27 pages, 12120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain

by Lidia Cabello-Ligero, Primitiva Bueno-Ramírez, María José Armenteros-Lojo, José Suarez Padilla, José L. Caro Herrero, Rodrigo de Balbín-Behrmann, Rosa Barroso-Bermejo, Alia Vázquez Martínez, Juan José Durán Valsero, Sergio Raúl Durán-Laforet, Rafael Jordá Bordehore, Raquel Morales García and Miguel Ángel Varo Sánchez-Garrido

Heritage 2025, 8(8), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080291 - 22 Jul 2025

Abstract

The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality [...] Read more.

The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality data to confirm their continued relevance. Our aim here is to understand whether menhirs also played that role, using the area of Tierras de Antequera, which is connected to the sea, as a case study. With that goal in mind, a research project has been initiated through intensive archaeological field surveying, combined with the collection of testimonies from oral tradition and other archaeological tools such as GIS, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry and RTI, for the detection of engravings and paintings on some of the located landmarks. We present in this paper the first geological analyses in the megalithic territory of Antequera to determine the raw material of the menhirs that are studied and the geological outcrops from which they come. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)

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Graphical abstract

35 pages, 4921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mosaic Tesserae from the Roman Villa of Aiano in Tuscany (Italy): Characterization via a Non-Invasive Protocol

by Giovanni Bartolozzi, Susanna Bracci, Marco Cavalieri, Cristina Fornacelli, Claudia Conti and Sara Lenzi

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070290 - 21 Jul 2025

Abstract

The mosaic tesserae that are the topic of this study were found during an archeological excavation in a Roman villa at Aiano, in the municipality of San Gimignano, Tuscany (Italy). Many thousands of tesserae were found in the site in many different stratigraphic [...] Read more.

The mosaic tesserae that are the topic of this study were found during an archeological excavation in a Roman villa at Aiano, in the municipality of San Gimignano, Tuscany (Italy). Many thousands of tesserae were found in the site in many different stratigraphic units (US). For this study, 392 tesserae mainly from three US (US 1095, US 5010 and US 5015 being the most consistent ones) were selected for non-invasive analyses. They might be tesserae coming from different places, collected to be reused or melted down to create new glass objects. The characterization of the tesserae, divided in various groups depending on their color, is an important tool in evaluating their compositional homogeneity/inhomogeneity. The presence of certain markers, such as the opacifiers based on Sb or Sn, could be helpful also in approximately dating the tesserae, since, as reported in the literature, various opacifiers were used in different periods. A well-established diagnostic protocol, based only on non-invasive techniques, allowed us to study a large number of tesserae, which certainly did not derive from a single mosaic and could have been of very different ages, compositions and origins. This procedure has proven to be a winning tool for this aim. Full article

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20 pages, 1895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indigenous Underwater Cultural Heritage Legislation in Australia: Still Waters?

by Matthew Storey

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070289 - 19 Jul 2025

Abstract

The article examines possible amendments to the Australian legislative regime regulating and protecting Indigenous cultural heritage in an offshore, including underwater, context. It suggests that there are significant reforms that are needed to bring the existing domestic legislative regime into conformity with the [...] Read more.

The article examines possible amendments to the Australian legislative regime regulating and protecting Indigenous cultural heritage in an offshore, including underwater, context. It suggests that there are significant reforms that are needed to bring the existing domestic legislative regime into conformity with the expectations of contemporary international law, particularly as manifested in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In reaching this conclusion, the article proceeds by examining recent Australian jurisprudence and archaeological studies, considering offshore Indigenous cultural heritage as well as the current Australian domestic legislative framework. It then proceeds to examine the relevant provisions of both UNDRIP and the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH Convention). The article identifies that the UCH Convention operates to ignore any legitimate role for Indigenous peoples and does not provide an appropriate foundation for legislative reform. The article concludes by suggesting the content of appropriate legislative reforms that accord with the expectations in UNDRIP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Indigenous Connections to Underwater Heritage in the Contemporary Era)

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27 pages, 4779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cultural Heritage Preservation and Management in Areas Affected by Overtourism—A Conceptual Framework for the Adaptive Reuse of Sarakina Mansion in Zakynthos, Greece

by Anastasia Vythoulka, Costas Caradimas, Ekaterini Delegou and Antonia Moropoulou

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070288 - 19 Jul 2025

Abstract

Cultural heritage in insular regions faces increasing challenges due to overtourism, seasonal economies, and insufficient protection frameworks. This study investigates the adaptive reuse of Sarakina Mansion, a deteriorated 18th-century estate on the island of Zakynthos, as a model for integrating cultural heritage preservation [...] Read more.

Cultural heritage in insular regions faces increasing challenges due to overtourism, seasonal economies, and insufficient protection frameworks. This study investigates the adaptive reuse of Sarakina Mansion, a deteriorated 18th-century estate on the island of Zakynthos, as a model for integrating cultural heritage preservation with sustainable tourism. The research addresses the gap in localized strategies for heritage-led development in the context of islands with overtourism. Through a qualitative case study methodology—including site analysis, archival research, and stakeholder interviews—this paper explores how abandoned cultural assets can be reactivated to foster community engagement and diversify tourism models. Two distinct SWOT analyses were conducted as follows: one at the territorial level (Zakynthos Island) and another focused on the island’s cultural heritage. The findings highlight key obstacles such as environmental degradation and policy fragmentation, but they also reveal opportunities for adaptive reuse grounded in local identity and sustainable practices. The proposed reuse scenario for Sarakina promotes partial structural stabilization and community-driven cultural programming, aiming to create a hybrid open-air cultural hub. This study contributes a replicable framework for reimagining neglected heritage assets in overtourism-affected areas, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

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13 pages, 11974 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study and Comparative Analysis of the Action of the Deacidifying Products Bookkeeper^® and Nanorestore Paper^® on Plant Textile Fibres

by A. Nani, C. Ricci, A. Gatti and A. Agostino

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070287 - 19 Jul 2025

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of deacidifying treatments for the restoration of textiles used as supports for works of art, with particular attention to the chemical stability, colour variation and mechanical resistance of the materials over time. The [...] Read more.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of deacidifying treatments for the restoration of textiles used as supports for works of art, with particular attention to the chemical stability, colour variation and mechanical resistance of the materials over time. The present study involved the analysis of two products: Bookkeeper^TM, containing magnesium oxide, and Nanorestore^TM, a dispersion of calcium hydroxide in alcoholic solutions of ethanol and 2-propanol. The products were applied to a series of tests on cotton, linen and jute fabrics. The experimental approach comprised an artificial degradation process of the fabrics, followed by the application of the treatments and an accelerated ageing cycle. A series of parameters were monitored throughout the experiment, encompassing surface pH, chromatic shifts ascertained through colorimetric measurements and the morphological transformations of the fabrics, as elucidated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The findings yielded from this study have enabled the delineation of the behaviour exhibited by the treated materials over an extended timeframe. This underscores the significance of a judicious selection of treatments, contingent upon the particular chemical and physical attributes inherent to the fabrics in question. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Materials and Heritage)

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16 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Making of the Land Heritage of Religious Missions: A Legacy Between Land Sanctuarization, Ecclesiastical Governmentality, and Territorial (Re)Configurations in Central Africa

by Joël Baraka Akilimali

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070282 - 18 Jul 2025

Abstract

The making of a land patrimony for the benefit of religious missions is profoundly linked to territorial construction in the colonies but is rarely examined from the angle of ecclesiastical governmentality over the ceded lands. This analysis highlights three complementary processes for understanding [...] Read more.

The making of a land patrimony for the benefit of religious missions is profoundly linked to territorial construction in the colonies but is rarely examined from the angle of ecclesiastical governmentality over the ceded lands. This analysis highlights three complementary processes for understanding the role of religious mission land heritage in territorial reconfigurations. First, this article examines the process of “land sanctuarization”, which materializes territorial anchoring through the crystallization of land rights granted to religious missions over customary lands previously presumed to be “vacant”. Next, it explores the formation of an “ecclesiastical dominium”, manifested in the dismantling of state missions and their free transfer, explicit or tacit, to religious missions under concession or agreement regimes. This reveals the exercise of state power over the land heritage of religious missions, positioning them as structuring axes and administrative intermediaries for public services, thus giving rise to an ecclesiastical governmentality that drives territorial production and reconfiguration. Finally, postcolonial dynamics reveal the resurgence of new spatial polarities shaped by the complexity of evolving religious actors along the center–periphery axis of a recomposing territorialization. This study underscores the importance of a transversal approach to better govern the land legacies of religious missions, fostering a pluralistic reterritorialization of postcolonial societies in central Africa. Full article

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16 pages, 6950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives

by Lidija McKnight

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070286 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

Radiography, favoured for its ability to provide a non-invasive insight into the contents of wrapped or coffined artefacts, has revolutionised the study of mummified human and animal remains. Despite this potential, the technology is limited by its capacity to realistically visualise the surface [...] Read more.

Radiography, favoured for its ability to provide a non-invasive insight into the contents of wrapped or coffined artefacts, has revolutionised the study of mummified human and animal remains. Despite this potential, the technology is limited by its capacity to realistically visualise the surface attributes of these often-complex artefacts. In this paper, photogrammetry—a technique widely used in archaeology and heritage applications—is applied to build upon the radiographic investigation of six ancient Egyptian votive artefacts from Manchester Museum; a study which combines the two techniques for the first time on votive material from the collection. The paper showcases the results gained through clinical radiography techniques (digital X-ray and computed tomography) on the internal contents of the artefacts, highlighting the problems encountered when viewing the outer surface. With a simple on-site photogrammetry protocol, improved visualisation was possible, providing photo-realistic renderings with important potential for both research, conservation and engagement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virtual Anthropology. Digital Approaches for Paleoanthropology and Paleopathology)

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23 pages, 10100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vestiges of the Sedimentary Archive of Late Paleolithic Inhumations from San Teodoro Cave: Insights into ST3 Burial and Site Stratigraphy

by Vittorio Garilli and Luca Galletti

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070285 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

Studies of prehistoric burials are fundamental for understanding cultural human evolution. Those found in the San Teodoro cave (northeastern Sicily) are significant for the discovery at the turn of the 1930s and 1940s of at least four individuals (ST1–ST4). About 15–16 kyr ago, [...] Read more.

Studies of prehistoric burials are fundamental for understanding cultural human evolution. Those found in the San Teodoro cave (northeastern Sicily) are significant for the discovery at the turn of the 1930s and 1940s of at least four individuals (ST1–ST4). About 15–16 kyr ago, the bodies of ST1–ST4 were intentionally buried, apparently in a manner original to the context of prehistoric burials, namely by covering them with a continuous layer of red ochre found to connect the graves. Since the earliest excavations, plagued by clandestine digging, there is no material memory of the stratigraphic transition from the burial layer to the subsequent anthropogenic deposit through the red ochre, and nothing certain is known about the orientation of ST3, the presence of grave goods and the ochre cover related to this burial. Moreover, there is no exhaustive knowledge of how much is actually left of the anthropogenic layers described in the old literature. Based on field observations and 3D reconstruction of ST3’s skull position and deposits at the San Teodoro site, we provide insights into anthropological issues, such as the rediscovery of the red ochre vestiges that reasonably covered the ST3 burial, and the burial context of this individual, and shed light on what actually remains of the stratigraphic units described in the 1940s. Full article

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22 pages, 538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Meaning in the Algorithmic Museum: Towards a Dialectical Modelling Nexus of Virtual Curation

by Huining Guan and Pengbo Chen

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070284 - 17 Jul 2025

Abstract

The rise of algorithm-driven virtual museums presents a philosophical challenge for how cultural meaning is constructed and critiqued in digital curation. Prevailing approaches highlight important but partial aspects: the loss of aura and authenticity in digital reproductions, efforts to maintain semiotic continuity with [...] Read more.

The rise of algorithm-driven virtual museums presents a philosophical challenge for how cultural meaning is constructed and critiqued in digital curation. Prevailing approaches highlight important but partial aspects: the loss of aura and authenticity in digital reproductions, efforts to maintain semiotic continuity with physical exhibits, optimistic narratives of technological democratisation, and critical technopessimist warnings about commodification and bias. Yet none provides a unified theoretical model of meaning-making under algorithmic curation. This paper proposes a dialectical-semiotic framework to synthesise and transcend these positions. The Dialectical Modelling Nexus (DMN) is a new conceptual structure that views meaning in virtual museums as emerging from the dynamic interplay of original and reproduced contexts, human and algorithmic sign systems, personal interpretation, and ideological framing. Through a critique of prior theories and a synthesis of their insights, the DMN offers a comprehensive model to diagnose how algorithms mediate museum content and to guide critical curatorial practice. The framework illuminates the dialectical tensions at the heart of algorithmic cultural mediation and suggests principles for preserving authentic, multi-layered meaning in the digital museum milieu. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Museology and Emerging Technologies in Cultural Heritage)

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17 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Why Are Cultural Rights over Sea Country Less Recognised than Terrestrial Ones?

by Rhetti Hoskins, Gareth Ogilvie, Matthew Storey and Alexandra Hill

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070283 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

This article identifies the nature of Traditional Owners’ interests in Sea Country and addresses issues associated with all offshore energy projects—gas and wind. Exploring the impacts of offshore development on First Nations’ cultural heritage, the article proposes integration of free, prior and informed [...] Read more.

This article identifies the nature of Traditional Owners’ interests in Sea Country and addresses issues associated with all offshore energy projects—gas and wind. Exploring the impacts of offshore development on First Nations’ cultural heritage, the article proposes integration of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), into the regulatory and legislative offshore environment. In the Australian context, this particularly regards administrative and regulatory reforms to overcome uncertainty arising from recent decisions in the Federal Court. The international focus on new energy has fast-tracked many processes that sideline First Nations’ rights, hitherto understood within the onshore minerals extraction regimes. The reforms proposed in this article recognise an international commitment to enact the principles contained in the UNDRIP and other relevant international law. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating Indigenous Connections to Underwater Heritage in the Contemporary Era)

23 pages, 36129 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cudbear and the Colours of the Atlantic Rainforest

by Vanessa Habib

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070281 - 16 Jul 2025

Abstract

The temperate rainforests and their associated coastline in Scotland have long been home to dye-producing plants including lichens, some commercialised and patented by George and Cuthbert Gordon in 1758 as the dye Cudbear. Using merchant records and family correspondence, this paper will shed [...] Read more.

The temperate rainforests and their associated coastline in Scotland have long been home to dye-producing plants including lichens, some commercialised and patented by George and Cuthbert Gordon in 1758 as the dye Cudbear. Using merchant records and family correspondence, this paper will shed new light on the early trade and manufacture of Cudbear and also Cuthbert Gordon’s later investigations into other colour-producing plants undertaken as chemistry and botany emerged as fields of economic opportunity and study in the 18th century. It appears that Cudbear was used for longer and more widely than has previously been supposed and was integrated into known dye practices and used later with synthetic dyes. A rare pattern book of dyed wool flannel samples, held at the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, shows a re-evaluation of indigenous dye plants, especially lichens, in a time of national emergency in 1916. The result of a government initiative during WW1 and produced under laboratory conditions at the University of Glasgow, it is used here to identify some of the colours studied by Cuthbert Gordon of which we have little contemporary record. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dyes in History and Archaeology 43)

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39 pages, 7291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Modeling and AI-Assisted Contextual Narratives in Digital Heritage Education: Course for Enhancing Design Skill, Cultural Awareness, and User Experience

by Yaojiong Yu and Weifeng Hu

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070280 - 15 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study introduces an educational framework that merges 3D modeling with AI-assisted narrative interaction to apply digital technology in cultural heritage education, exemplified by an ancient carriage culture. Through immersive tasks and contextual narratives, the course notably improved learners’ professional skills and cultural [...] Read more.

This study introduces an educational framework that merges 3D modeling with AI-assisted narrative interaction to apply digital technology in cultural heritage education, exemplified by an ancient carriage culture. Through immersive tasks and contextual narratives, the course notably improved learners’ professional skills and cultural awareness. Experimental results revealed significant knowledge acquisition among participants post-engagement. Additionally, the user experience improved, with increased satisfaction in the narrative interaction design course. These enhancements led to heightened interest in cultural heritage and deeper knowledge acquisition. Utilizing Norman’s three-layer interaction model, Ryan’s contextual narrative theory, and Falk and Dierking’s museum learning experience model, the study developed a systematic course for multi-sensory design and contextual interaction, confirming the positive impact of multimodal interaction on learning outcomes. This research provides theoretical support for the digital transformation of cultural education and practical examples for educational practitioners and cultural institutions to implement in virtual presentations and online learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Heritage Education: Evolving Techniques and Methods)

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18 pages, 1314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transforming Our World: The Role of Collections in Education for Sustainable Development

by Mar Gaitán, Alejandra Nieto-Villena, Arabella León, Indra Ramírez and Ester Alba

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070279 - 15 Jul 2025

Abstract

The TOWCHED project explores how arts and heritage-based educational methodologies can support sustainable development by enhancing key transversal competencies in learners, particularly children and youth. In response to the global challenges outlined in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), this project promotes inclusive and [...] Read more.

The TOWCHED project explores how arts and heritage-based educational methodologies can support sustainable development by enhancing key transversal competencies in learners, particularly children and youth. In response to the global challenges outlined in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), this project promotes inclusive and participatory approaches to education that foster social cohesion, intercultural understanding, and civic engagement. Partnering with museums, TOWCHED develops cross-curricular pedagogical interventions, such as experiential, blended, and collection-mediated learning, that link cultural heritage with contemporary social and environmental concerns. These approaches aim to strengthen creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-awareness. TOWCHED demonstrates that heritage collection-based education can play a vital role in transforming schools and other learning environments into hubs for sustainable, lifelong learning. By embedding cultural expression and heritage into educational practices, the project offers a compelling model for empowering individuals to navigate and shape a more equitable and interconnected world. This paper has two aims. First, we introduce TOWCHED, an interdisciplinary project recently funded by the Horizon Europe program of the European Union to preserve and promote education for sustainability in the heritage context. Second, we introduce a set of tools related to the project. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Heritage Education: Evolving Techniques and Methods)

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25 pages, 15328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mould Growth Risk for Internal Retrofit Insulation of Heritage-Protected Timber Plank Frame Walls

by Martha Eilertsen Harberg, Silje Kathrin Asphaug and Tore Kvande

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070278 - 14 Jul 2025

Abstract

A wave of energy efficiency-focused activity has spread across Europe in recent years, with ambitious goals for improving the energy performance of existing buildings through various directives. Among these existing buildings, there are older structures with heritage-protected facades. Some of the protected facades [...] Read more.

A wave of energy efficiency-focused activity has spread across Europe in recent years, with ambitious goals for improving the energy performance of existing buildings through various directives. Among these existing buildings, there are older structures with heritage-protected facades. Some of the protected facades consist of timber plank frame walls, which were common in Norway in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Internal insulation is an option for increasing the energy efficiency of such walls while preserving their protected facades. However, this approach alters the moisture performance of the wall and introduces a potential risk for mould growth, which must be assessed. To better understand the performance of these walls, the

s_{d}

values of traditional types of building paper have been tested, as timber plank frame walls comprise vertical planks covered in building paper. In addition, the risk of mould growth in timber plank frame walls has been evaluated using the one-dimensional simulation tool WUFI^® Pro by modelling the wall with internal retrofitting and varying input parameters. The types of building paper used have a wide range of vapour resistance values (diffusion-equivalent air layer thicknesses,

s_{d}

values), which range from 0.008 m to 5.293 m. Adding 50 mm of interior insulation generally resulted in a low risk of mould growth, except in cases involving the use of a moisture-adaptive vapour barrier (MAVB). The MAVB did not result in an acceptable mould growth risk in any of the tested scenarios. Full article

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34 pages, 12566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reshaping Museum Experiences with AI: The ReInHerit Toolkit

by Paolo Mazzanti, Andrea Ferracani, Marco Bertini and Filippo Principi

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070277 - 14 Jul 2025

Abstract

This paper presents the ReInHerit Toolkit, a collection of open-source interactive applications developed as part of the H2020 ReInHerit project. Informed by extensive surveys and focus groups with cultural professionals across Europe, the toolkit addresses key needs in the heritage sector by leveraging [...] Read more.

This paper presents the ReInHerit Toolkit, a collection of open-source interactive applications developed as part of the H2020 ReInHerit project. Informed by extensive surveys and focus groups with cultural professionals across Europe, the toolkit addresses key needs in the heritage sector by leveraging computer vision and artificial intelligence to enrich museum experiences through engaging, personalized interactions that enhance visitor learning. Designed to bridge the technology gap between larger institutions and smaller organizations, the ReInHerit Toolkit also promotes a sustainable, people-centered approach to digital innovation, supported by shared resources, training, and collaborative development opportunities accessible through the project’s Digital Hub. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multisensory Museums: Richer Experiences, Inclusivity and Accessibility to Cultural Heritage)

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29 pages, 7061 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Water Cleaning Mitigate Atmospheric Degradation of Unstable Heritage Glass? An Experimental Study on Glass Models

by Thalie Law, Odile Majérus, Marie Godet, Mélanie Moskura, Thibault Charpentier, Antoine Seyeux and Daniel Caurant

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070276 - 14 Jul 2025

Abstract

Glass curators often question how their treatments affect the long-term stability of historical glass. While damp cotton swabs are commonly used to remove surface salts and dust, the use of water remains controversial, particularly for heavily altered glass, due to concerns about worsening [...] Read more.

Glass curators often question how their treatments affect the long-term stability of historical glass. While damp cotton swabs are commonly used to remove surface salts and dust, the use of water remains controversial, particularly for heavily altered glass, due to concerns about worsening hydration. This study investigates the effect of water rinsing on an unstable soda-lime glass altered for six months (monoliths) and fifteen months (powders) at 35 °C and 85% relative humidity. Samples were then rinsed with Milli-Q water at 20 °C or 50 °C, and the monolithic glass was subsequently subjected to an additional 15 months of alteration under the same conditions. The glass surface was characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as Raman spectroscopy to identify the nature of the salts. The evolution of the hydrated layer was assessed using transmission FTIR, Raman and solid-state NMR spectroscopies, ToF-SIMS, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that rinsing effectively removes surface salts—primarily sodium carbonate—and induces structural changes in the hydrated layer, promoting silicate network polymerization. Upon resuming alteration, rinsed monolithic samples exhibit no further degradation after the additional 15 months of alteration. These findings offer promising insights for conservation practices and may help curators refining their treatment strategies for altered glass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Conservation of Glass in Heritage Science)

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29 pages, 1042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Geoethical Awareness and Unveiling Environmental Engagement Profiles of Residents in Hellenic UNESCO Global Geoparks: A Quantitative Survey

by Alexandros Aristotelis Koupatsiaris and Hara Drinia

Heritage 2025, 8(7), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070275 - 13 Jul 2025

Abstract

Geoethics emphasizes responsible human interaction with the Earth, promoting ethical practices in the geosciences to ensure sustainability for current and future generations. UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) are designated areas that support sustainable development by integrating geoconservation, geoeducation, and community engagement, thereby raising awareness [...] Read more.

Geoethics emphasizes responsible human interaction with the Earth, promoting ethical practices in the geosciences to ensure sustainability for current and future generations. UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) are designated areas that support sustainable development by integrating geoconservation, geoeducation, and community engagement, thereby raising awareness of geological heritage. This quantitative study employed an online questionnaire (n = 798) to assess geoethical awareness among residents of all nine Hellenic UGGps, with the aim of profiling environmental engagement and perceptions. The results indicate a generally high level of geoethical awareness, with Sitia UGGp exhibiting the highest average mean score (M⁻ = 8.98, SD⁻ = 1.34), reflecting strong community support and effective outreach efforts. In contrast, Lavreotiki UGGp (M⁻ = 8.48, SD⁻ = 1.15) and Psiloritis UGGp (M⁻ = 8.33, SD⁻ = 1.36) scored lower in areas such as community engagement and geotourism, suggesting opportunities for targeted improvement. Regional differences suggest that management, visibility, and local context significantly influence public perceptions. Cluster analysis identified four respondent profiles: (a) highly engaged environmental stewards (28.7%), (b) supportive but selective advocates (40.5%), (c) moderately indifferent participants (26.9%), and (d) disengaged or critical respondents (3.9%). Demographic factors such as age, residence, prior visits to Hellenic UGGps, and education significantly differentiated these groups. Mapping geoethical awareness provides a valuable tool for assessing societal benefits and enhancing the governance of UGGps. Overall, the findings underscore the need to shift from an anthropocentric to a more geocentric worldview that prioritizes the well-being of both humanity and Earth’s systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Geoheritage and Geo-Conservation)

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