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Applied Sciences
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Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage
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Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2022) | Viewed by 14476

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marco Martini

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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milano, Italy
Interests: radiation effects in insulators and dosimetric materials; physics applied to the cultural heritage; development and application of techniques for luminescence and radiocarbon dating
Dr. Anna Galli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienzza dei Materiali, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via. R. Cozzi 55, I-20125 Milan, Italy
Interests: physics applied to cultural heritage; archaeometry; TL dating; OSL dating X-ray fluorescence; ancient material characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The application of advanced techniques to the study of ancient materials has increasingly led to a range of fundamental to deeper knowledge of artistic and historic artefacts, contributing to their conservation and restoration. The number of scientific methodologies applied to cultural heritage is huge and difficult to list. However, it can be noted that an important role is played by materials science: scientific techniques developed in materials science allow a multidisciplinay approach in archaeology, history of art, and conservation. By studying the materials that constitute an artefact, a greater amount of information can be accessed, relatively to the work of art, such as the elements and compounds with which it was made and their level of degradation by the time of the examination. The final goal is the possibility of determining the chronology of the making of the various parts of the work of art, its provenance, the techniques of realization, the attribution to an author, and the way of intervention for restoration. Materials science offers many different scientific methodologies in order to investigate ancient materials and artefacts.

This Special Issue is intended to collect papers dealing with the applications of materials science to the different types of human artefacts such as ceramic, glass, paintings, and metals objects. The considered topics can range from instrumentation and technical developments to case studies and methodological innovations, from theoretical simulations to new data handling. All the characteristic analytical methods of materials science will be considered: imaging techniques (IRR, RX, tomography); traditional as well as innovative dating techniques such as luminescence (TL, OSL, RL (radioluminescence)), radiocarbon, RHX (re-hydroxylation); and spectroscopic techniques (PIXE, Raman, FTIR, UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy) and their synergic association.

Prof. Dr. Marco Martini
Dr. Anna Galli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Cultural heritage
  • Materials science
  • Spectroscopy
  • Luminescence dating
  • Thermoluminescence
  • Radiocarbon
  • IR spectroscopy
  • X-ray radiography
  • Raman
  • FTIR
  • PIXE

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage
by Marco Martini and Anna Galli
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5069; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105069 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1044
Abstract
The application of advanced techniques to the study of ancient materials has been increasingly demonstrating to be fundamental to a deeper knowledge of artistic and historic artefacts, contributing to their conservation and restoration [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

15 pages, 5600 KiB  
Article
Gaming in Pre-Roman Italy: Characterization of Early Ligurian and Etruscan Small Pieces, Including Dice
by Ivana Angelini, Cinzia Bettineschi, Marica Venturino and Gilberto Artioli
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042130 - 18 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1543
Abstract
An interesting assemblage of ancient ceramic materials connected or potentially connected with gaming activities has been characterized from the archaeometric point of view. The materials (washer-like pieces, small spheres, and cubic dice, with and without inscriptions) were found in the Villa del Foro [...] Read more.
An interesting assemblage of ancient ceramic materials connected or potentially connected with gaming activities has been characterized from the archaeometric point of view. The materials (washer-like pieces, small spheres, and cubic dice, with and without inscriptions) were found in the Villa del Foro excavation (Alessandria, Italy). They are related to the early Ligurian population of the site and their frequent contacts with Etruscan both in Etruria and in the Po Valley, in a period spanning the early VI century BC till the first half of the V century BC. Starting from the materials evidence, hypotheses are proposed concerning their possible use and cultural meaning. The studied cubic dice are discussed in the wider context of the pre-Roman diffusion of these objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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14 pages, 2039 KiB  
Article
Materials Inspiring Methodology: Reflecting on the Potential of Transdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Archaeological Glass
by Sara Fiorentino, Tania Chinni and Mariangela Vandini
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 8049; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11178049 - 30 Aug 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1704
Abstract
The contribution that materials science has made to the understanding of ancient glassmaking is unquestionable, as research undertaken in recent decades has extensively demonstrated. Archaeological glass is far from being a homogeneous class of materials, encompassing objects made for different uses, manufactured in [...] Read more.
The contribution that materials science has made to the understanding of ancient glassmaking is unquestionable, as research undertaken in recent decades has extensively demonstrated. Archaeological glass is far from being a homogeneous class of materials, encompassing objects made for different uses, manufactured in different periods and geographic areas, with a variety of tools and working techniques. If all these factors are not adequately considered when approaching the study of ancient glasses from an archaeometric perspective, data obtained by analyses can incur the risk of being less informative or even misinterpreted. Moving from previously performed research, this paper is aimed at reflecting on the potential of synergistic approaches for the study of archeological glasses, based on the interrelation among different disciplines and fostering the integration of archaeological and historical knowledge with data-driven scientific analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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12 pages, 11531 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Invisible in Uffizi Gallery’s Drawing 8P by Leonardo with Non-Invasive Optical Techniques
by Alice Dal Fovo, Jana Striova, Enrico Pampaloni and Raffaella Fontana
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7995; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11177995 - 29 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2331
Abstract
Until recently, the study of drawings by old masters has been confined to the art history conservation field. More specifically, scientific investigations of Leonardo’s drawings are still very few, possibly due to the latter’s extreme fragility and artistic value. However, analytical data are [...] Read more.
Until recently, the study of drawings by old masters has been confined to the art history conservation field. More specifically, scientific investigations of Leonardo’s drawings are still very few, possibly due to the latter’s extreme fragility and artistic value. However, analytical data are crucial to develop a solid knowledge base of the drawing materials and techniques used by artists in the past. In this work, we report on the application of non-invasive optical techniques on a double-sided drawing by Leonardo belonging to the Uffizi Gallery (8P). We used multispectral reflectography in the visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) regions to obtain a spectral mapping of the drawing materials, to be subsequently integrated with technical information provided by art historians and conservators. Morphological analysis by microprofilometry allowed for the identification of the typical wave-like texture impressed in the paper during the sheet’s manufacture, as well as of further paper-impressed traits attributable to the drawing transfer method used by Leonardo. Optical coherence tomography revealed a set of micrometric engraved details in the blank background, which lack any trace of colored material, nor display any apparent relation to the drawn landscape. The disclosure of hidden technical features allowed us to offer new insights into Leonardo’s still under-investigated graphic practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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13 pages, 2918 KiB  
Article
Thermoluminescence Analysis of the Clay Core of Bronze Statues: A Re-Appraisal of the Case Studies of Lupa Capitolina and Other Masterpieces in Rome
by Marco Martini and Anna Galli
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7820; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11177820 - 25 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1530
Abstract
In this work, we present some new results in applying thermoluminescence (TL) dating to the clay core of bronze statues. This is very important, due to the impossibility of directly dating a metal. Very few cases of indirect dating of clay cores by [...] Read more.
In this work, we present some new results in applying thermoluminescence (TL) dating to the clay core of bronze statues. This is very important, due to the impossibility of directly dating a metal. Very few cases of indirect dating of clay cores by TL are reported in the literature. We re-considered three cases of dating of clay core from important bronzes in Rome. The parameters to be considered were not easy to calculate in the case of the Lupa Capitolina. However, its traditionally reported Etruscan origin is definitely ruled out, even if the accuracy in the dating is too low to precisely propose a date of the casting. The comparison with radiocarbon results shows good agreement for a Medieval dating. Two other bronze statues were analysed in order to date their casting by TL; a horse from Musei Capitolini resulted to have been cast in the Greek classical period, excluding its casting in the Rome imperial period. A third study shows that, in particularly favourable situations, TL dating of clay core can give rather precise results. This is the case where in the clay core are present materials that behave like good dosimeters, as generally happens in dating ceramics. Furthermore, the possibility of measuring all the parameters influencing the calculation of the dose rate is essential; both the external radiation sources and the radiation reduction by the water content must be taken into account. This was the case of Saint Peter in the Vatican that turned out to be a cast from the beginning of the XIV century. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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19 pages, 14592 KiB  
Article
Non-Destructive pXRF on Prehistoric Obsidian Artifacts from the Central Mediterranean
by Robert H. Tykot
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7459; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167459 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3105
Abstract
Volcanic obsidian was widely used in ancient times for stone tools, with its highly glassy nature making it sharper than other lithics for cutting purposes. In Europe and the Mediterranean, there are just several island sources, and a few in one inland region, [...] Read more.
Volcanic obsidian was widely used in ancient times for stone tools, with its highly glassy nature making it sharper than other lithics for cutting purposes. In Europe and the Mediterranean, there are just several island sources, and a few in one inland region, all having been used since the beginning of the Neolithic period, ca. 6000 BCE. Maritime transport was necessary for access to the Italian and Greek island sources, with the distribution of artifacts over distances up to 1000 km. While elemental analyses were used for identifying specific sources starting in the 1960s, the development of non-destructive and especially portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers has revolutionized the number of artifacts tested since 2010, allowing statistically significant numbers for potential comparisons based on variables including time period, open-water distance, visual and physical properties, and cultural contexts. One overall accomplishment is the documentation of long-distance travel routes in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas of the central Mediterranean, based on the distribution proportions and quantity of obsidian artifacts from different geological sources, apparently following a down-the-line prehistoric exchange system. The spread of Palmarola obsidian is much greater than previously thought, while in Malta, Pantelleria obsidian was specifically selected for burial accompaniments on Gozo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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15 pages, 2943 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Islamic Ceramic Production Techniques in Northeast Iberian Peninsula: The Case of Medieval Albarracin (Spain)
by Josefina Pérez-Arantegui and Paz Marzo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7212; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167212 - 05 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Ceramic objects found in the Islamic Taifa of Albarracin (Spain), 12th century CE, were studied to ascertain the main characteristics and influences of its manufacture. Production centers even from small kingdoms can add new insights in medieval ceramic technology. Several types of decorated [...] Read more.
Ceramic objects found in the Islamic Taifa of Albarracin (Spain), 12th century CE, were studied to ascertain the main characteristics and influences of its manufacture. Production centers even from small kingdoms can add new insights in medieval ceramic technology. Several types of decorated ceramics, such as tin-opacified glazed, monochrome glazed and cuerda seca, were investigated. Ceramic bodies were analyzed by ICP-Optical Emission Spectrometry, and glazes were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry. All the ceramic bodies showed the use of Ca-rich pastes, although three groups could be distinguished and related to their decoration. Lead and silicon were the main components of the glazes, as well as scattered tin oxide in the case of white or green opacified glazes. Some features, such as calcareous bodies, double firing for tin-opacified glazes, glaze components, and coloring oxides, were common in Albarracin samples and other Islamic production centers in the Iberian Peninsula. However, some differences were also highlighted in lead/silica proportions and cuerda seca decoration, and several influences from northern or southern pottery centers. Lead isotope ratios, measured by ICP-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry, revealed two different sources or suppliers of lead raw materials according to the type of glaze to be prepared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Materials Science in the Study of Cultural Heritage)
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