Cultural Heritage Research Research Articles

Valorising Transnational Heritage Through Cultural Routes—European Travels in Special Collections of Adriatic Libraries

In this paper, the authors present the possibilities of transnational networking and developing innovative cultural routes through participatory research and creative presentations of European cultural heritage in special collections of Adriatic libraries. The purpose of the research, conducted in the framework of the course Travel Writing and Cultural Routes, was to identify collections that contain travel writing material related to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area and to enable its better visibility through the digitization and creation of new European cultural routes. The students, with the help of librarians at the University Library in Pula, explored special collections, such as the Marine Library, and proposed the creation of new cultural routes, following the itineraries of European travel writers in the Adriatic. The conducted research indicated collections and materials in heritage institutions (archives, libraries and museums) in Pula and Istria relevant to the topics of cultural routes and travel in Europe, as well as regional multicultural history. Libraries in Istria and Dalmatia have valuable collections of rare archival material related to European travels to the Adriatic. The cataloguing and digitisation of rare travel texts has the potential to raise awareness of these collections, adding to their significance for academic research and heritage-based tourism.

Exploiting activation radiation from neutron tomography reveals the hidden elemental composition of 3D art objects for free

Neutron tomography is gaining popularity particularly in cultural heritage research, for non-destructively analysing the inner structure of bulk metal artefacts, such as bronzes, but the induced temporary decay radiation is often considered as a drawback. However, this delayed gamma-emission can be put to good use: by performing gamma spectroscopy after neutron tomography, the interior elemental composition of artefacts can be obtained “for free”. Inspired by this, we propose a ray-tracing approach to non-invasively quantify both interior geometry and elemental composition using only a single neutron tomography experiment. This strategy aligns well with both the aim for efficient use of neutron beam time and the expectation from curators and conservators for minimal neutron irradiation. Here, we outline the core principle of this method, demonstrate the extent of its quantification capability on bulk objects of known composition by fusing neutron tomography and delayed-gamma spectroscopy data sets. We also showcase its practical application on an ancient solid-cast Indonesian bronze statuette, by which we gain insights into how the pristine inner bronze segregated into a different composition than the surrounding shell. Similarly, the method allows us to quantify the composition of a hidden offering in the statuette that consecrates the bronze for worship purposes.

“The Last Waterfront in Pearl River Delta”: Space Generation and Cultural Ecological Characteristics of Traditional Village in Gulao Waterfront

Lingnan waterfront is a relatively complete cultural ecosystem formed under the influence of unique natural environment, social economy and regional culture. However, the existing researches on Lingnan waterfront pay more attention to the physical space of traditional settlements than the overall natural environment surrounding the settlements. Taking Gulao Waterfront as an example, this paper analyzes it from the perspective of interactions between human and natural environment, social economy and regional culture by using the theory of cultural ecology. This paper also analyzes the spatial generation process of Gulao Waterfront, systematically sorts out the overall village pattern, water network and water conservancy space, settlement space, agriculture and fairs space, folk beliefs and ritual space, and conclude that the cultural ecological characteristics of Gulao Waterfront is under the law of water. The important value in Gulao Waterfront of the cultural ecological characteristics and integrated historical heritage protection for the Pearl River Delta has been excavated, which enriches and deepens the cultural heritage research of traditional village in Lingnan waterfront.

Gjellestad introduction, background and historical framework

The spark that ignited this research project was the discovery of the Gjellestad ship in the autumn of 2018 by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU). The surveying was initiated by Østfold County Council (ØCC) after a landowner planned to drain farmland (Figure 1). Archaeologists Lars Gustavsen and Erich Nau, both associated with NIKU, conducted the geophysical surveys that led to the uncovering of this amazing archaeological find. The discovery attracted massive international interest, partly because in this particular landscape in Østfold County no one had ever found any evidence to suggest that a ship could be hidden below the ground – this “ship” was considered something of an anomaly. In 2019 the Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) funded the verification project to investigate the degree of preservation of the ship anomaly using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), as well as to collect material for radiocarbon-dating of other features detected with the GPR. The Museum of Cultural History (MCH) at the University of Oslo led investigations of the ship anomaly, while ØCC led the remaining part of the surveying, mainly through trial trenching and sampling. MCH’s investigations showed that the ship’s state of preservation was poor, with the remaining wood both fragile and prone to attacks from soft rot bacteria, causing uncontrolled deterioration. On the advice of the cultural heritage authorities, the government decided to cover the full cost of the excavation of the ship burial. This excavation was conducted in 2020-21 under the leadership of archaeologist Christian Løchsen Rødsrud.

Haihun Marquis Tomb in Western Han Dynasty: Social Value and Future Prospects - A Knowledge Graph Analysis with Citespace

This paper uses the CiteSpace knowledge graph visualization tool to analyze the research evolution path and trend of 583 academic papers in the CNKI database in the past ten years. The results show that the unique position of the tomb of the Haihun Marquis in the field of history and cultural heritage of the Han Dynasty, the mainstream of research in the field of Han Dynasty culture, artistic innovation and application, the evolution of cultural heritage research, and the interdisciplinary research of the deep integration of cultural heritage research and advanced technology in the future will provide strong support for promoting the cultural and museum industry and the recreation of traditional Chinese culture.

Museums in Action: How Museums are redefining their Role in European Projects

An innovative and detailed analysis of the role of museums in European Union-funded projects is presented in this article, based on a thorough search of the European CORDIS database. The study explores how museums have transformed from being passive custodians of cultural heritage to becoming dynamic and multifunctional actors in European research and innovation. Through a systematic analysis of European projects funded in the 2007-2022 period, the article highlights the growing participation of museums in various EU programs, the varied roles they assume-from beneficiary partners to associate collaborators-and their impact in key areas such as education, research, digitization and technological innovation. This research provides both quantitative and qualitative insights into museums' involvement in shaping European cultural identity and policy development. The paper is of particular interest to policy makers, museum professionals and cultural heritage researchers, offering a unique perspective on the evolving role of museums in the European context and future opportunities for collaboration and funding.

Focus point on scientific research in cultural heritage: articles from the 4th international conference on innovation in art research and technology (inArt 2020)

Focus point on scientific research in cultural heritage: articles from the 4th international conference on innovation in art research and technology (inArt 2020)

Study on the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and influencing factors of cultural heritage: a case study of Fujian Province

The spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of cultural heritage reveal the trajectory of human activity changes, and a deep analysis of its natural and cultural factors holds significant reference value for the overall conservation and management of cultural heritages. This study focuses on the cultural heritage at the provincial level and above in Fujian, utilizing GIS spatial analysis to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of cultural heritages and their natural and human influencing factors. The research findings are as follows: (1) The distribution of cultural heritage in Fujian exhibits a clustering pattern, with dense areas transitioning from the upstream regions of the prehistoric and pre-Qin periods to the eastern coastal areas gradually. (2) The Ming and Qing dynasties have the highest number of cultural heritages, with the type of heritage transitioning from ancient sites in the early periods to ancient architecture, and in modern times, mainly important historical sites and representative architectural heritages. (3) The overall centroid coordinates of cultural heritage reveal a shift from the northern part of Fujian to the eastern and southern parts. (4) Natural factors significantly influence the distribution of cultural heritage, with a higher concentration in plain and hilly areas, on slight slopes with gradients between 0.5° and 2.0°, and on the southern and southeastern slopes, especially within a 1-kilometer radius of rivers. (5) The creation of cultural heritage during historical periods is closely linked to the regional history, culture, political, and economic environments. The positive development of these socio-cultural factors has a promotional effect on the quantity of cultural heritage. This study demonstrates the utility and applicability of GIS spatial analysis techniques in cultural heritage research, providing a methodological framework that can be adapted and applied internationally. The findings offer insightful data that can inform targeted conservation and development strategies for cultural heritage, ensuring their effective preservation and sustainable management across different regions.

The Evolution of Digital Cultural Heritage Research: Identifying Key Trends, Hotspots, and Challenges through Bibliometric Analysis

Heritage preservation fundamentally represents an act of communication, with digitization and virtual access driving cultural heritage research development and dissemination. These tools stimulate the creation of cultural heritage content and inspire public engagement in learning about and preserving heritage. Despite substantial academic focus on digital cultural heritage (DCH) research, systematic assessment methods remain lacking. This paper researches the application of digital technologies in cultural heritage studies using CiteSpace 6.2 R4 to analyze the evolution of DCH, identifying research hotspots and predicting future trends. The key findings include the following: (1) Current DCH research focuses on countries with significant national power, but future studies should emphasize regions rich in cultural heritage and promote transnational and interdisciplinary research. (2) DCH research concentrates on three areas: the use of VR, AR, and other interactive digital technologies to enhance cultural heritage experiences; the development of cultural relic databases and digital archives; and the implementation of interactive exhibitions and multimedia guides. (3) Identified research hotspots include user immersion experiences, language and identity, and virtual reality technologies. Digital technologies enhance cultural heritage communication by driving innovations in preservation, information management, and digitization. (4) Future research should focus on practical DCH development, emphasizing innovative virtual technologies, database integration, and standardized assessment methods. These efforts aim to provide valuable insights for the sustainable global preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. The use of digital technologies in cultural heritage is becoming increasingly important, but there is still a need to strike a balance between technological development and heritage preservation to ensure the sustainability of cultural heritage.

Diagnosis of archaeological bones: Analyzing the state of conservation of lower Pleistocene bones through diagenesis methods

Initial physicochemical assessment of cultural materials plays a critical role in the research and management of cultural heritage, serving as a foundation for comprehending deterioration mechanisms and developing effective conservation treatments. However, this knowledge is more advanced in several cultural materials such as artwork or historic buildings, than in bone and fossils. This study focuses on bone material conservation, applying diagenetic methods for characterizing and assessing the state of conservation of archaeological bones from Pit 1 at Barranc de la Boella (BB), an open-air archaeological site from the late Early Pleistocene, from a conservation perspective.Microstructural analyses, including mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and histological analysis, alongside microchemical analyses through Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), and FTIR with KBr pellets and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), were conducted to evaluate the decay processes affecting the bones. Results indicated poor bone preservation characterized by high porosity, significant microbial attack, collagen degradation, and the potential recrystallization of bioapatite into fluorapatite. These findings underscore the substantial challenges presented by open-site conditions to preservation efforts and highlight the need for suitable conservation treatments, such as consolidation to reinforce the microstructure.The study emphasizes the importance of characterizing archaeological bones to understand the factors influencing their preservation states and guide conservation works in this material. This work contributes to the knowledge of diagenesis studies to standardize the diagnosis of the state of conservation on archaeological bones.

Development of a Software Module for Studying Historical and Cultural Heritage Objects Using Non-Invasive Research Data

This work proposes the development of a software module for studying historical and cultural heritage objects using remote and non-invasive research data. The module aims to integrate modern technologies such as image processing, data analysis, and visualization to provide access to heritage information for researchers, conservators, and the general public. Utilizing non-invasive data, such as geophysical surveys, enables the collection of information about heritage objects without causing damage. The module facilitates the analysis and visualization of this data as well as the creation of interactive object models, thereby promoting further research, preservation, and popularization of cultural heritage. The module consists of three blocks: defining areas for ground-based research using interferograms; constructing a comprehensive 3D model based on ground and underground research data; and refining the boundaries of historical-cultural heritage objects and establishing protective zones. The program is developed in the object-oriented programming language VisualBasic with additional modules. This developed module could become a significant tool for studying and preserving historical and cultural objects in the modern world.

A value assessment system for the conservation and utilization of decentralized distilleries in the architectural heritage of the brewing industry: a case study of Yibin city, China

ABSTRACT With a brewing history spanning over four millennia, Yibin city is adorned with myriad traditional distilleries that have dotted its landscape since ancient times. In recent years, industrial architectural heritage has approached the forefront of cultural heritage research, presenting new opportunities and challenges for the preservation and utilization of industrial architectural heritage sites, including distilleries. Employing field investigations and a multidisciplinary approach, this study uses data on 62 distilleries that are industrial architectural heritage sites. The analysis delves into the distribution, composition, and architectural features of the sample data, considering both production and nonproduction elements. Subsequently, the quantification of historical, societal, technological, artistic, and economic value enables an assessment, establishing an appropriate evaluation system. The research outcomes are intended to offer technical support for the conservation and utilization of heritage sites in the brewing industry, while concurrently serving as a reference for the preservation and utilization of distinctive architectural buildings in local industrial heritage sites.

Applying 3D stratigraphic reconstruction to a large rescue archaeology site. A case study of the medieval and early modern submarine topography in Oslo, Norway

The site B8b in Oslo, Norway, measured over 10,000 cubic metres and was excavated by the Norwegian Maritime Museum (NMM) and the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) in 2022–2023. This paper presents the workflow for the 3D reconstruction of the stratigraphic phases on NMM's part of the site. The challenges that come with 3D reconstructing a site of this size are discussed and compared to other sites where 3D stratigraphic reconstruction has been attempted. For this study, solid meshes of the stratigraphy were created in Blender, then integrated with other excavation data in ArcGIS PRO. The 3D dataset of the stratigraphy was subsequently used for analysing the inclination of the former seafloor and the relationship between the site's stratigraphy and finds such as a late medieval boat wreck.

Analysis of AI Technology Trends in Cultural Heritage Research

Analysis of AI Technology Trends in Cultural Heritage Research

Coastal and maritime cultural heritage: from the European Union to East Asia and Latin America

Introducing the Special Collection on Coastal and Maritime Cultural Heritage, this article focuses on the cultural heritage of coastal regions and maritime cultures and presents a summary of threats and topics found in recent cultural heritage research, especially around the themes of governance, resilience, transformation, and power (including gender and marginalization). Cultural heritage (CH) is a super-concept: it connects a wide diversity of heritage types (tangible and intangible), and cuts across a variety of public policies. Yet coastal and maritime cultural heritage (CMCH) faces risks from conflicts, environmental hazards, and from a neglect arising from lack of understanding and consideration of its value. Additional risks from governmental Blue Growth policies and economic factors put CH at even greater risk. As cultural heritage is increasingly being tapped for its economic importance in development and tourism– and neglected in maritime policy– greater scholarly understandings and conceptualization of CMCH are needed. This special collection is one step in the direction towards further understandings, protections, and utilization of CH for coastal societies and culture. As economic valuations increase, however, we should not forget that cultural heritage in and of itself holds intrinsic value. Looking across Europe and the world, coastal peoples’ cultural heritage tells us a story of generations of linkages and bonds with coastal environments. Such CH imparts a sense of place and belonging to people, and connects people to one another, their pasts, and their futures. We hope this Special Collection provides a sense of the beauty of CMCH and inspires further exploration and research around this super-concept.

The Spatial Relationship between Cities and Mountains in Jiangnan Region in the Qing Dynasty Based on Historical Texts

The Jiangnan region of China boasts a superior natural environment, and the combination of cities and mountains that form its historical landscape give it unique attributes. Local chronicles serve as an abundant source of information for visualizing this historic environment. This study aims to achieve two objectives: (1) to use digital humanities methods to process textual information in local chronicles, and (2) to visualize the historical relationships formed by the mountains and cities. In this study, we chose Suzhou, Zhenjiang, Jiaxing, Huzhou, and Songjiang in the Jiangnan region during the Qing Dynasty as our research sites. Through textual analysis and data visualization, we classified and reconstructed the historical spatial patterns of cities and mountains. As a result, our study provides a reproduction of the past spatial relationship between cities and mountains in the Jiangnan region during the Qing Dynasty. The research findings indicate that natural mountains play multiple roles in shaping the historical urban environment, particularly in terms of cultural images, notably the symbolic function they hold. The preservation of the urban natural environment, as seen through the vantage point of the historical landscape, is a critical component in contemporary urban development. The digital humanities methodologies utilized within this article can be extended to other cultural heritage research, based on pre-existing local historical literature.

Humanitarian strategies in culture in forming the newest tendencies in the Ukrainian cultural space

The actuality of the study is stipulated by the need to establish appropriate facilities for the humanitarian advancement of the country, to form a favourable cultural space for the disclosure of the personal creative potential of each citizen on the basis of substantiation of priority humanitarian strategies in culture. The aim of the research is to identify the peculiarities of humanitarian strategies in culture as factors in the formation of the most relevant trends in the in the ongoing development of the modern Ukrainian cultural space. Research methods: method of theoretical analysis comparative method, system method, method of generalisation. The main results of the study are that, from the theoretical standpoint of cultural knowledge, the concept of ‘humanitarian strategies in culture’ is interpreted as priority areas of humanitarian and cultural development, which are specified by defining the goals, methods, mechanisms and tools for their implementation, aimed at revealing human creativity, forming human capital for creating a creative cultural space. The humanistic nature of the content of art education, its focus on the comprehensive development and creative potential of society is substantiated. It is determined that the actualisation, protection and restoration of the national cultural heritage is a key factor in the formation of national identity. The process of knowledge, research, preservation and restoration of the national cultural heritage is an important humanitarian strategy in culture. Cultural diplomacy is an important resource for the humanisation of culture, an effective tool for establishing intercultural communication among the main agents – artists from different countries, creative teams, civil society institutions, and the expert community. The creative industries are a platform for the country’s economic recovery. The importance of certain humanitarian strategies in culture for the creation of an innovative, competitive Ukrainian cultural space in the post-war recovery of the country is proved. Through innovation and the introduction of the latest technologies, a creative humanitarian space can be formed based on common cultural and humanistic values

Design of a public science communication strategy on cultural heritageand local art in the center of the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

The communication of cultural heritage studies does not always constitute a central action of research projects. Therefore, the objective of this work is to present the design of a public science communication strategy on cultural heritage and local art in the district of Olavarría (Argentina). The proposal arises from the making of a documentary and its low visibility and exchange with the public. To achieve this, methodologically it is proposed to work from communication planning based on contextual models and citizen participation. The main result is the development of a communication strategy, based on transmedia formats and focused on the local educational sector. It concludes on the importance of articulating cultural heritage research with social sectors that are susceptible to becoming aware of their environment and that have a high potential to get involved in its protection and safeguarding.

Theoretical principles of studyng the historical and cultural heritage of small towns of Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to study the influence of the historical and cultural heritage of small towns on the development of tourism in Ukraine. It was established that small cities of Ukraine have a significant potential for the development of tourism. These cities preserve a rich historical and culturalheritage, including ancient architecture, cultural monuments and traditions. The growing interest in travel and educational tourism creates opportunities for the development of the tourism potential of small towns. At the same time, the development of tourism contributes to the economic growth of small towns, creating new jobs and increasing income from the tourism business. It is important to take into account sociocultural aspects, as tourism can contribute to the preservation and popularization of local traditions, arts and crafts. Therefore, the study of the historical and cultural heritage of small towns will reveal unique resources that can attract tourists. Methodology. The methodological basis of the work is: the method of theoretical research, induction and deduction, observation, comparison, analysis and synthesis. The methodology is based on the principles of historicism, systematicity and scientificity. Scientific novelty. The scientific study emphasizes the role of the historical and cultural heritage of small towns of Ukraine and their opportunities for the development of tourism. Characterized: the conceptual apparatus of historical and cultural heritage, its features as an object of socio-geographical research and modern trends of cultural heritage in Ukraine. The results of the research will contribute to determining the potential of the historical and cultural heritage of small towns and its impact on the development of tourism in Ukraine. It is important to carry out a systematic monitoring study of the state of cultural heritage, which will allow timely detection of problems, evaluation of the effectiveness of preservation and use measures, and adjustment of tourism development strategies. Therefore, the research results can become the basis for the development of tourism development strategies and programs aimed at the attractiveness of small towns for domestic and foreign tourists.

A multi-level quantitative analysis method on the scale, shape and quantity of rockeries in Chinese classical gardens: taking Wanfang Anhe rockery in the Old Summer Palace as an example

Currently, the use of digital technology for the protection and research of cultural heritage has become a trend in this field. Rockeries in Chinese classical gardens have become an important cultural heritage type because of their unique shape, ingenious skills and rich connotations. Based on relevant historical information and 3D digital technology, this paper puts forward a multi-level quantitative analysis method on the scale, shape and quantity of rockeries in Chinese classical gardens, aiming at exploring the objective description and quantitative analysis path of rockeries at different levels. This method develops four levels: overall, regional, hierarchical, and individual and their corresponding quantitative contents, which in turn enable data extraction and analysis of the rockery through the different levels. The proposed method was applied to seven different Chinese classical garden rockeries, and taking Wanfang Anhe Rockery in the Old Summer Palace as an example for objective and comprehensive quantitative analysis and verification. The results show that this method is feasible and effective for quantitative analysis of the scale, shape and quantity of rockeries, which can help understand the basic background of stone rockeries and enhance a refined understanding of stone rockery construction, thereby providing data for preventive protection and informatization management of stone rockeries. The 3D rockery model database based on the overall, regional, hierarchical and individual quantitative analysis and numbering method brings a good application prospect for preventive protection and informatization management of the rockery.