EPJ Plus Focus Point on New Challenges in the Scientific Applications to Cultural Heritage

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Published on 17 May 2019

In recent years, the collective efforts of scientists in the application of new technologies and methodologies to different class of archaeological material are receiving significant benefits from advances in technology.

At the same time new strategies and, in particular, networking skills and resources encouraging interaction between both humanities and sciences researchers are of crucial importance to face issues concerning the study, restoration and conservation of artworks and archaeological contexts.

Indeed to achieve the goal of better knowledge of our cultural heritage and in particular in the characterization, evaluation and preservation of historical remains and archaeological sites, an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to the collection, interpretation and validation of the data collected with the different physical, chemical, biological and mechanical methodologies and their associated instrumentation.

Moreover, the archaeometric approach allows describing the works of art through points of view that are not directly observable to the naked eye or provided by historical-artistic information (analysis of the constitutive materials, dating, internal structure, superimposed restorations on the original, etc.).

This Focus Point on “New Challenges in the Scientific Applications to Cultural Heritage”, that collects selected invited and refereed original contributions from the AIAr conference "Cultural Heritage: large facilities, and networks of laboratories”, concerns different application of innovative technologies and methodologies to different classes of materials (masonry, mortar, glass, colour, biologic material, modern art, etc), by using non-invasive techniques, technology for in situ investigation, dating and forgery-identification techniques, development of complex systems and monitoring of conservation space.

All articles are are available here and are freely accessible until 28 May 2019. For further information read the Editorial.