Conservation Of Cultural Heritage Research Articles

Cultural Heritage Conservation as a Driving Force toward Sustainable Water Management in Djerba Island

Cultural Heritage Conservation as a Driving Force toward Sustainable Water Management in Djerba Island

Confined-immigration enhances water resistance and weatherability of highly transparent coatings for cultural heritage preservation

Ultra-transparent polyacrylic (PA) coatings are widely used in cultural heritage conservation but often face issues like whitening from phase separation due to poor water resistance and weatherability. This leads to frequent need for replacement, complicating the preservation of cultural artifacts. In this study, we propose a core/shell polyacrylic emulsion coating (PA-DFMA) with enhanced water resistance and weatherability by confining fluorinated polymers within the shell section. The core/shell structure of PA-DFMA is designed to prevent phase-separation-induced whitening and improve transparency, thanks to the strategic confinement of fluorinated polymers which also mitigates fluorine aggregation and enhances film formation at low temperatures. On the other hand, the introduction of fluorine refines the phase domains during the aging process, further ensuring the transparency of coating and greatly prolonging its durability. Chemically, the strong C-F bonds in the coating offer excellent UV aging resistance, and the lack of a chemical bonding network structure allows for the easy and safe removal of the coating, facilitating reversible treatment of artifacts. The performance test showed that PA-DFMA coatings outperform traditional cultural heritage protection products such as Golden and Rustins in transparency, weatherability, hardness, and reversibility. This eco-friendly coating is proven to offer substantial potential for the preservation of cultural heritage and maintenance of archaeological objects, providing new insights into the design of materials for this purpose.

Strengthening character of cultural conservation through an android application containing public history for high school students in Indonesia

Introduction. The cultural heritage passed down by our ancestors to the next generation must be preserved. It is necessary to understand the history of the formation and development of the preservation of this cultural heritage to know its importance. Innovative methods are needed to increase the awareness and understanding of the younger generation regarding the history and conservation of cultural heritage. This research aims to analyze the strengthening of the character of cultural conservation when students learn history using an Android application with public history content. The public history content developed contains historical narratives of Semarang, as shown in videos. Information about the content is compiled using historical methods, including discussions about the importance of understanding historical heritage conservation for a society. Study participants and methods. This research involved 25 students in the experimental class and 25 in the control class to test the effectiveness of the Android application on students' cultural conservation characteristics. This research was conducted at SMA 5 Semarang (a High School) in Central Java Province, Indonesia. This school is one of the schools in the province with intense research activities. This study uses a quantitative research approach with quasi-experimental methods. The statistical method used is the Pearson chi-square test to evaluate the relationships between relevant categorical variables. Results. The results showed that high school students in the experimental group had a higher understanding and appreciation of public history and cultural conservation than students in the control group. The calculation results (χ² = 8,72; α < 0,05) conclude a significant relationship between the use of Android applications and interest in cultural preservation activities. So, the Android application is called DiHistory, developed to increase students' access to information on historical objects or buildings. This application was developed by the Research Center from the History Education Laboratory at Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia. The application is practical in increasing the interest and motivation of high school students to study public history and strive to participate in preserving the local cultural heritage. Practical significance. This research has practical significance in education and cultural preservation in Indonesia. Through the development of the DiHistory application, which contains public history, this research has been proven to strengthen the character of secondary school students by introducing and increasing their understanding of Indonesia's cultural heritage. This research also shows the impact on strengthening character, student involvement, understanding cultural preservation, and increasing awareness. This research combining these aspects, this research has practical significance, which can positively contribute to education, student character, and cultural preservation in Indonesia.

Improving non-destructive testing methods for detecting cavity damage and internal defects in stone cultural relics: A focus on ultrasonic testing and acoustic tapping technology

This study employs advanced ultrasonic tomography and Grasshopper software to investigate the internal anomalies within stone materials. We aim to enhance the non-destructive testing (NDT) methods with potential applications extending to modern architecture and stone engineering. Cavity damage and internal defects threaten the structural stability of stone cultural relics. Traditional non-destructive testing methods, while practical, have limitations in assessing these relics comprehensively. This paper proposes an enhanced ultrasonic testing method based on mathematical analysis to accurately detect cavity damage in stone cultural relics. We also investigate imaging techniques for internal defects, combining ultrasonic testing with Grasshopper software for efficient and accurate defect characterization. Additionally, we introduce an acoustic tapping method for detecting internal defects in ancient building stones. Verified through field tests and data analysis, this method is non-invasive, accurate, and fast. The process of detecting stone defects using this technology, along with data analysis methods, experimental results, and application effects, are detailed. This research contributes to the improved preservation and restoration of ancient buildings and extends to other fields, such as modern architecture and stone engineering, highlighting its significance in cultural heritage conservation.

Llamas, Barter and Travel Rituals: An Ethnographic Study on the Esquela Tusuy Dance of the Uchumiri Peasant Community, Condesuyos, Peru

The “Esquela Tusuy” dance is a cultural manifestation deeply rooted in the Uchumiri Peasant Community (Condesuyos, Peru), reflecting the intersection between traditional cultural practices and community identity. This ethnographic study reveals how the dance, beyond being a mere artistic expression, is a complex system of meanings that articulates social relations, economic practices of barter, and Andean spirituality, through the veneration of Pachamama and Apu Coropuna. The dance is organized around rituals that include the preparation, journey, and return of the llama herders, being a living expression of collective memory and a mechanism of social cohesion. The adopted methodology was based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews, allowing a detailed understanding of Uchumiri’s cultural dynamics. Despite contemporary challenges, “Esquela Tusuy” remains a central pillar for the affirmation of cultural identity and community resistance, underlining the importance of dance in the conservation of cultural heritage and in the articulation of local identities against national narratives.

Removing Aged Polymer Coatings from Porous Stone Surfaces Using the Gel Cleaning Method

Acrylic polymers were extensively used in past restoration practices, usually as consolidants or protecting agents. Their removal is often required because polymer coatings can improve some decay processes of stone substrates and, after ageing, may generate undesirable materials on the surface of artifacts. Therefore, the removal of old polymer coating from the surface of artifacts has become a common operation in the conservation of cultural heritage. As with other cleaning operations, it is a delicate process that may irreversibly damage the artifacts if not correctly carried out. The main aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cleaning procedure for efficiently removing old acrylic polymers (e.g., Paraloid B-72) from the surface of historical buildings. For this purpose, a polymer was applied to two different porous stone substrates (bio-calcarenite and arenaria stone). The hydrogel cleaning approach was used for the present study, as preliminary results suggested that it is the most promising polymer-removing method. The considered hydrogel (based on a semi-interpenetrating polymer network involving poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polyvinylpyrrolidone) was prepared and characterized using different techniques in order to assess the gel’s properties, including the gel content, equilibrium water content, retention capability, hardness, Young’s modulus, and morphology. After that, the hydrogel was loaded with appropriate amounts of nano-structured emulsions (NSEs) containing a surfactant (EcoSufTM), organic solvents, and H2O, then applied onto the coated surfaces. Moreover, plain EcoSurfTM in a water emulsion (EcoSurf/H2O) was also used to understand the polymer-removing behavior of the surfactant without any organic solvent. A comparative study was carried out on artificially aged and unaged polymer-coated samples to better understand the cleaning effectiveness of the considered emulsions for removing decayed polymer coatings. The experimental results showed that the NSE-loaded hydrogel cleaning method was more effective than other common cleaning procedures (e.g., cellulose pulp method). In fact, only one cleaning step was enough to remove the polymeric material from the stone surfaces without affecting their original properties.

Research on Pathology Information Management of Educational Architectural Heritage Based on Digital Technology: The Case of James Jackson Gymnasium

Rapid advances in technology have led to an increasing demand for this type of information in the field of cultural heritage and architectural conservation. The article aims to use digital technology to obtain, record, store, and display accurate and intuitive information about architectural heritage for daily management and repair of that heritage. This article conducts a comprehensive and in-depth study of the pathology information from the James Jackson Gymnasium, a typical case of the modern educational architectural heritage of Wuhan. Research contents include obtaining point cloud data through 3D scanning, constructing Building Information Modeling (BIM) 3D models and pathological information models to visualize the affected parts, using the Monument Damage Diagnostic System (MDDS) to establish a pathological information map management system, using virtual simulation technology and digital repair technology to diagnose and repair the affected parts, and establishing a systematic architectural pathology information database to explore the causes of architectural pathology from a multidisciplinary perspective. The authors aim to gradually promote this method and build a systematic pathological information database of architectural heritage. This utilizes the sharing characteristics of information technology to transcend the barriers of time and space and provide important support for heritage protection and pathology management. The Architectural Pathology Information Management System is proposed as an innovative solution to promote the sustainable conservation of architectural heritage through digital technology.

Exploring the connotation of “Local Community” in ICOMOS discourse: a textual analysis based on authoritative documents

As an authoritative institution in cultural heritage conservation, ICOMOS plays a crucial role in guiding local communities’ participation in heritage conservation. However, its scattered and vague descriptions of local communities pose significant obstacles to further research and practice of community participation in heritage conservation. Given the increasing importance of local communities in heritage conservation, it is essential to systematically explore the connotation of Local Community connotations within ICOMOS discourse. This research employs Natural Language Processing methods to analyze ICOMOS’s descriptions of Local Community. Utilizing computational techniques of word frequency calculation, LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) topic model keyword calculation, and hierarchical clustering calculation, the research uncovers relevant keywords and its thematic clusters of Local Community. These findings are further elucidated by aligning them with the principles outlined in authoritative documents of ICOMOS. The research indicates that ICOMOS’s descriptions of Local Community can be summarized into four main keywords families. These keywords families can be summarized as a comprehensive Local Community “three-level, four-family” keywords system. The “Tourism” keywords family exhibits a close association with Local Community, highlighting ICOMOS’s heightened emphasis on heritage tourism. The “Management-Development” keywords family occupies the second level, emphasizing fundamental principles for local communities’ participation in heritage practices. The “Traditional-Knowledge” and “Social-Economic” Keywords Families, situated in the third level, respectively describe the value attributes and conservation approaches of local communities. Each keywords family formed over different periods, exhibiting varying trends of development. By systematically integrating ICOMOS’s descriptions of Local Community and employing Natural Language Processing for in-depth exploration, This research aims to construct a cognitive understanding of local communities from a new perspective of quantitative text analysis, with the intention of providing theoretical references for subsequent research on local communities.

THE MODEL OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF A RELIGIOUS TOURISM DESTINATION IN FUNCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: This study aims to explore the significance and potential of religious tourism in Croatia for sustainable development, highlighting the absence of a strategic approach in managing this tourism sector. The primary goal is to assess the current state of religious tourism, identify challenges, and recommend strategic directions for enhancing religious tourism destinations.
  
 Theoretical Framework: The research is anchored in the theories and models of sustainable development, tourism management, and cultural heritage preservation. These theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how religious tourism can contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and community engagement in a sustainable manner.
  
 Method: Employing survey research and analysis of relevant resources, this study systematically examines the current landscape of religious tourism in Croatia. It focuses on stakeholder coordination, promotion strategies, infrastructure development, and cultural heritage preservation efforts.
  
 Results and Discussion: The investigation reveals a fragmented approach to managing religious tourism, characterized by poor coordination among stakeholders, inadequate promotion, underdeveloped infrastructure, and challenges in cultural heritage preservation. These findings suggest that a more cohesive and strategic approach could significantly bolster sustainable development, enhance economic opportunities in rural locales, and foster cultural heritage appreciation.
  
 Research Implications: The study underscores the necessity for stronger collaboration among religious communities, tourism organizations, and governmental authorities. It advocates for enhanced promotional efforts, infrastructure investments, and robust measures for cultural and religious heritage conservation, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and community leaders.
  
 Originality/Value: This paper contributes original insights into the underexplored domain of religious tourism in Croatia, offering a structured analysis of its current state and potential for sustainable development. Its strategic recommendations provide a foundation for future initiatives to harness religious tourism as a vehicle for economic and cultural sustainability in Croatia.

Correlation of Visible Reflectance Spectrometry and Portable Raman Data for Red Pigment Identification

The accurate identification of pigments is of principal relevance in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration practices. In this preliminary study, a first attempt to set up a procedure for accurate red pigment identification, based on the assessment of the correlations existing between visible reflectance spectrometry (vis-RS) and Raman data, is presented. The proposed approach involved the realization of a library consisting of data acquired on a set of 35 pure red historical pigments supplied by ©Kremer Pigmente. In particular, vis-RS data, collected through a Konica Minolta CM-2600d spectrophotometer, were registered, together with the position of the Extrema Points (E.P.s) encompassing both the maximum and minimum points of the first derivative of the % spectral reflectance factor (SRF%) curves. Portable Raman spectroscopy measurements were collected by a B&W Tek Inc. portable Raman spectrometer equipped with a 785 nm laser. For each tested pigment, the positions and relative intensities of the characteristic Raman peaks were considered. The library was then tested for the characterization of the red/reddish painted areas of the medieval wall painting located within The Norman Castle of Aci Castello (Catania, Italy), and was shown to be essential for the unambiguous identification of the pigment used. It is worth noting that this study represents the first novel attempt to establish a reliable and efficient methodology for pigment identification, offering promising prospects in reducing uncertainties and ambiguities arising from the application of a single stand-alone approach.

Revolutionizing Depth Sensing: A Review Study of Apple LiDAR Sensor for as-built Scanning Applications

Incorporating the LiDAR sensor in the most recent Apple devices represents a substantial development in 3D mapping technology. Meanwhile, Apple's Lidar is still a new sensor. Therefore, this article reviews the potential uses of the Apple Lidar sensor in various fields, including engineering and construction, focusing on indoor and outdoor as-built 3D mapping and cultural heritage conservation. The affordable cost and shorter observation times compared to traditional surveying and other remote sensing techniques make the Apple Lidar an attractive choice among scholars and professionals. This article highlights the need for continued research on the Apple LiDAR sensor technology while discussing its specifications and limitations. A comprehensive review found that the Apple LiDAR sensor has shown promise in capturing 3D point clouds of small to medium-sized objects with exceptional detail. This technology offers a cost-effective and accessible option to scan areas faster and analyze data more quickly and automatically for 3D mapping and modelling in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in areas with restricted access when using other traditional techniques. It also opens the door for more sophisticated applications in future studies, including cultural heritage conservation, archaeological investigations and feature detection, building health monitoring and many more.

Using social media and machine learning to understand sentiments towards Brazilian National Parks

Protected areas (PAs) play a vital role in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage while supporting local livelihoods. However, in Brazil, where limited resources and poor effectiveness lead to negative sentiments and are leveraged as criticism towards PAs, it is necessary to better comprehend public perceptions of Brazilian PAs and identify the key factors contributing to negative sentiments. Here, we use data from online discussions about Brazilian national parks (NPs) on Twitter and sentiment analysis to explore this question. We classified the sentiment of ∼100,000 tweets collected over a twelve-year period (2011−2022) using the BERTimbau Base model. We also performed a topic modelling with the BERTopic model to identify prevalent subjects concerning Brazilian NPs. We identified 18,388 (17.30 %) posts expressing negative sentiment towards NPs, mostly associated with wildfires occurring between 2011 and 2017 and concerning government decisions impacting conservation efforts after 2019. The results revealed six prominent topics: (1) Wildfires; (2) Security; (3) Regulations; (4) Wildlife roadkill; (5) Privatization; (6) Lack of financial resources, reflecting a diverse range of negative sentiments regarding the parks, surpassing isolated events. Furthermore, examining specific topics on a per-park basis proved beneficial in identifying distinct issues and conflicts in the five most tweeted NPs, facilitating targeted conservation actions. Using social media data to better understand public perceptions of NPs can strengthen their management and governance by reinforcing their conservation initiatives and enhancing visitor experiences. Our findings underscore the value of sentiment analysis in identifying gaps and driving improvements in the management of protected areas.

Exploration and Characterization of Dynamic Properties for Cultural Heritage Conservation: A Case Study for Historical Stone Masonry Buildings in Zanzibar

Ancient civilizations have imprinted their legacy on Zanzibar Stone Town through the construction of revered stone masonry buildings, which are experiencing rapid deterioration due to severe ambient environmental impacts. In response to these challenges, this study presents a comprehensive field exploration through the ambient vibration test (AVT) and numerical prediction of historical stone masonry buildings in Zanzibar Stone Town to analyze the dynamic characteristics. The ambient vibration test (AVT) reveals structural dynamic properties in terms of peak resonance frequencies (fr(avg)), mode shape, and damping ratio, in conjunction with the development of correlation with the geometric parameters of the building. The results reveal fr(avg) ranges between 2.8 and 5.3 Hz for investigated structures, non-uniform deformed mode shapes, and damping ratio ranges between 1.35% and 4.45% at various orientation axes of the understudy buildings. However, the relationship between natural frequencies indicates a higher association with the geometrical parameters of the building, yielding a correlation coefficient (R2) between 0.85 and 0.99. Moreover, the numerical prediction via eigenvalue analysis (EVA) yields a considerable association with the investigated data, quantified by root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) ranged between 0.29 and 0.3, with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and R2 between 0.81 and 0.99, respectively. Furthermore, conservation work guidelines were also developed to assist the structural engineer and conservationist in adopting targeted conservation strategies for the efficient preservation of the historical integrity in Stone Town.

The role of summer markets in promoting authenticity and social sustainability of the regions: The case of La Santa market (Catalonia, Spain)

The greatest challenge for tourist destinations is to make themselves unique, to bet on cultural identity, with ethical values and sustainability, and to be successful over time. This is of particular interest in sun and beach tourism areas. Otherwise, in recent years, seasonal food and leisure markets have undergone significant growth as a strategy to promote regional authenticity and participation in local communities. The management of this ephemeral food markets tend to be associated to social sustainability, with a focus on issues such as the welfare of the local population; the conservation of cultural heritage; community participation in the development and planning of tourism; and health, hygiene and safety. This paper analyzes the relevance of these social sustainability matters to La Santa Market, a summer food and leisure event located in a beach and sun town in La Costa Brava (Catalonia). Using non-probability purposive sampling, the qualitative methodology is based on semi-structured interviews with 20 different stakeholders in this event. Secondary data on the economic situation and “grey” literature on this market are also used. The results reveal constant, positive involvement of the local community and private organizations in enhancing the La Santa Market experience, which is now an essential item on their summer agendas. This paper contributes to the literature acknowledging the potential of summer food markets to boost the economic and social sustainability of a coastal community. The results are useful for helping public and private sectors in the region to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of the role of local food products at summer markets to thus reinforce their authenticity and sociocultural value.

An ontology-based framework for supporting decision making in conservation and restoration interventions for cultural heritage

Decision-making (DM) is the backbone of the Conservation and Restoration (CnR) of Cultural Heritage (CH). The demands of the DM process for information organization and management have raised issues that the CnR community attempts to solve by creating DM-support tools and systems, which, among others, exploit Semantic Web (SW) technologies. Regarding the tools and systems that focus on the DM process of selecting an intervention option (CnR-DM-I), they present benefits, as well as limitations, regarding the i) completeness of representation of the relevant knowledge in a unified manner, ii) facilitation of recording the CnR-DM-I process per se, in terms of the problem at hand as well as the intervention parameters, requirements and criteria, and iii) recommendation and further exploration of CnR intervention options in a systematic manner. This work proposes an ontology-based framework as a means to overcome those limitations. The proposed framework (DS-CnRI) sets at its core a formal ontology which provides the necessary entities to represent expert knowledge related to CnR-DM-I. The ontology also includes rules which provide useful inferences to assist the CnR-DM-I process. The proposed framework has been deployed and evaluated in collaboration with conservators. Initial evaluation results show that the framework assists conservators in CnR-DM-I to detect and select the most suitable intervention options, to better understand the limitations of different options and to document the process of reaching their decision.

Evolution of cultural landscape heritage layers and value assessment in urban countryside historic districts: the case of Jiufeng Sheshan, Shanghai, China

The heritage value of the historic urban countryside, as a remnant in the transition between the urban boundary and the natural environment, is a consequence of the spatial and temporal evolution of the city. However, through repeated social transformations, the conflicts between urban construction and cultural landscape heritage preservation have increased, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their cultural landscape heritage. This study takes the Sheshan Urban Countryside Historic District in Shanghai and interprets the layers of Sheshan's cultural landscape heritage into five periods, Emergence, Development and Exploration, Diversity and Prosperity, Turbulence and Change, and Stability and Precipitation. It analyzes the evolution of the layers of the cultural landscape heritage by applying Historic Urban Landscape Historic Land use Assessment (HUL) and interpreting the layers of the cultural heritage of Sheshan using Historical Landscape Assessment (HLA) to identify the characteristics and values of Sheshan's layers of heritage. The study indicates that the cultural landscape heritage of Jiufeng Sheshan exhibits four types of stratigraphic relationships: accretion, juxtaposition, overlay, and decline. This findings suggest a continuous evolutionary feature of superposition of multiple stratigraphic patterns. Moreover, the heritage value of the cultural landscape layers of Jiufeng Sheshan has shown a higher growth rate in the modern period. The integrity and survival status of modern religious and scientific buildings are more complete compared to the literati gardens and Buddhist relics. Based on the knowledge and value assessment of its cultural landscape heritage, it is necessary to intervene in the concept of living conservation and renewal of landscape heritage. This involves devising a conservation and renewal strategy for cultural landscape heritage that conforms to the law of historical stratification and connect the scattered historical and cultural relics. This study provides a reference for the conservation and inheritance of cultural landscape heritage in urban countryside historical areas and the organic renewal of urban and rural heritage.

Risk Management and Preventive Conservation of Cultural Heritage: The Case of Karaman Hatuniye Madrasa and Karaman City Museum

Various methodologies have been developed to determine the risks of cultural properties that have been exposed to various risks since their construction and to make proposals for their preventive conservation. This study aims to protect the cultural, architectural, historical, and documentary values of historic buildings by identifying their threats and potential risks for risk management and preventive conservation studies and determining their risk levels considering the degree of vulnerability and frequency of occurrence in order to ensure their sustainability. Karaman Hatuniye Madrasa and Karaman City Museum were selected as case studies for cultural heritage risk management. The following standards were used to determine risk levels: the RE-ORG method for museum storage facilities, ICRROM’s (2016) “Guide to Risk Management of Cultural Heritage” and ISO 31000 (2018) for risk analysis, and UNI EN 16096 (2012) standard for current condition assessment, risk priority, urgency class, and recommendation classification. The hazards and potential risks were identified and classified through field observations, literature review, archival research, oral interviews, and data from national (AFAD) and international (EM-DAT) databases. The results showed that Karaman Museum has a medium risk level and RE-ORG is required in the building and collections only, on the other hand, Hatuniye Madrasa has a high-risk level. In particular, abandonment/underuse and faulty restoration works are the main factors that increase the risk level. The study is important for the protection and conservation of Hatuniye Madrasa and Karaman Museum and their collections through risk management and preventive conservation measures and is an example of systematic assessment of risks in cultural properties.

IMPLEMENTATION OF BALINESE TRI HITA KARANA CONCEPT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF LAND CONSOLIDATION ARRANGEMENTS

This article explores the application of the Balinese Tri Hita Karana concept in the context of land consolidation arrangements and environmental conservation of cultural heritage. The method which is used in this research is normative legal research by reflecting on the values contained in legal norms related to land consolidation in Bali using a statutory approach, a conceptual approach, a historical approach, and the case approach, then analyzed by descriptive analysis, evaluation, and argumentation techniques. The article analyses the legal and environmental implications of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy in Bali., emphasizing the importance of sustainable use of limited and non-renewable resources. The article argues that land consolidation arrangements should consider the Tri Hita Karana concept and ensure the preservation of cultural heritage and environment environment. The report highlights the significance of the Tri Hita Karana philosophy in shaping Bali's legal and environmental landscape.

From 3D Point Cloud to an Intelligent Model Set for Cultural Heritage Conservation

Cultural heritage conservation demands interdisciplinary and complex documentation and analysis while facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable and productive practices. This paper bridges these gaps by proposing a methodology and a set of requirements for Building Information Modeling (BIM) models aligned with European directives for sustainability and productivity in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector. Leveraging 3D scanning and intelligent models, we establish information needs specific to conservation, encompassing material properties, historical data, and decay analysis. Interoperability, compatibility with advanced analytical tools, and open-source formats are emphasized for seamless data integration and accessibility. We further introduce two use cases for BIM-enabled heritage conservation, illustrating the application of our proposed methodology in real-world scenarios. These cases exemplify how BIM models cater to the specific needs of cultural heritage sites, from their initial condition assessment to ongoing preservation efforts. Through these examples, we demonstrate the adaptability of BIM technology in capturing and managing the complex information associated with heritage conservation, including structural details, material characteristics, and historical significance. Our work highlights the potential of BIM to revolutionize heritage conservation practices, offering a digital backbone for documentation, analysis, and management that aligns with sustainability and productivity goals.

Mapping the landscape of marine cultural heritage research from 2000 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

As our understanding of the world's ocean and their history deepens, research on Marine Cultural Heritage (MCH) is increasingly vital for the preservation and maintenance of our shared cultural legacy. This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of global MCH literature from January 1, 2000, to November 2, 2023, using Web of Science and VOSviewer. The results reveal three particularly interesting trends. Firstly, a significant increase in the volume of publications related to MCH research since 2018. Researchers in this field primarily hail from the Global North, particularly European countries, with their affiliated institutions displaying an international and diverse research profile in the MCH domain. Secondly, MCH research spans various disciplinary fields, including oceanography, environmental studies, ecology, and anthropology, forming the foundation for comprehensive MCH research. It encompasses a spectrum from traditional ecological knowledge to the impacts of climate change, extending to the influence of international law and policies. Thirdly, research hotspots in the MCH field include cultural heritage and climate change, coastal resilience and management, underwater cultural heritage, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism, as well as Geoheritage and Geotourism. Building upon the bibliometric analysis, we provide suggestions for future research endeavors, emphasizing potential areas for further exploration and investigation.