Cultural Heritage Research Research Articles

Digital Technology in the protection of cultural heritage Bao Fan Temple mural digital mapping survey

Abstract. Peng Xi county, Sichuan province, the Bao Fan temple mural digitization survey mapping project: we use three-dimensional laserscanning, multi-baseline definition digital photography, multi-spectral digital image acquisition and other technologies for digital survey mapping. The purpose of this project is to use modern mathematical reconnaissance mapping means to obtain accurate mural shape, color, quality and other data. Combined with field investigation and laboratory analysis results, and based on a comprehensive survey and study, a comprehensive analysis of the historical Bao Fan Temple mural artistic and scientific value was conducted. A study of the mural’s many qualities (structural, material, technique, preservation environment, degradation, etc.) reveal all aspects of the information carried by the Bao Fan Temple mural. From multiple angles (archeology, architecture, surveying, conservation science and other disciplines) an assessment for the Bao Fan Temple mural provides basic data and recommendations for conservation of the mural. In order to achieve the conservation of cultural relics in the Bao Fan Temple mural digitization survey mapping process, we try to apply the advantages of three-dimensional laser scanning equipment. For wall murals this means obtaining three-dimensional scale data from the scan of the building and through the analysis of these data to help determine the overall condition of the settlement as well as the deformation of the wall structure. Survey analysis provides an effective set of conclusions and suggestions for appropriate mural conservation. But before data collection, analysis and research need to first to select the appropriate scanning equipment, set the appropriate scanning accuracy and layout position of stations necessary to determine the scope of required data. We use the fine features of the three-dimensional laser scanning measuring arm to scan the mural surface deformation degradation to reflect the actual state of the mural surface patch model. For the degradation of the surface of the pigment layer, we use the patch model to simulate the scan obtained from an analysis. Statistics calculated relatively objective mural surface area from volume data, providing more accurate quantitative data for the mural conservation, especially, providing a viable technology for accurate monitoring of continued degradation. We believe, in order to make use of the three-dimensional laser scanning technology in a digital heritage conservation application, the technology should not only be used to record the object geometry and play a role in record keeping aspects, but, rather, should be used during the investigation to protect against targeted degradation and a more meaningful interpretation function. Like the development of the medical application of X-ray technology not only retains a picture, but more importantly, through this technical interpretation of patient pathology, guides doctors in carrying out the treatment work. Therefore, in the process of digitization of cultural heritage research, the focus should shift to the use of digital technology in the analysis of heritage object degradation and degradation monitoring surveys can promote the application of digital technology in the conservation of cultural heritage.

5D Modelling: An Efficient Approach for Creating Spatiotemporal Predictive 3D Maps of Large-Scale Cultural Resources

Abstract. Outdoor large-scale cultural sites are mostly sensitive to environmental, natural and human made factors, implying an imminent need for a spatio-temporal assessment to identify regions of potential cultural interest (material degradation, structuring, conservation). On the other hand, in Cultural Heritage research quite different actors are involved (archaeologists, curators, conservators, simple users) each of diverse needs. All these statements advocate that a 5D modelling (3D geometry plus time plus levels of details) is ideally required for preservation and assessment of outdoor large scale cultural sites, which is currently implemented as a simple aggregation of 3D digital models at different time and levels of details. The main bottleneck of such an approach is its complexity, making 5D modelling impossible to be validated in real life conditions. In this paper, a cost effective and affordable framework for 5D modelling is proposed based on a spatial-temporal dependent aggregation of 3D digital models, by incorporating a predictive assessment procedure to indicate which regions (surfaces) of an object should be reconstructed at higher levels of details at next time instances and which at lower ones. In this way, dynamic change history maps are created, indicating spatial probabilities of regions needed further 3D modelling at forthcoming instances. Using these maps, predictive assessment can be made, that is, to localize surfaces within the objects where a high accuracy reconstruction process needs to be activated at the forthcoming time instances. The proposed 5D Digital Cultural Heritage Model (5D-DCHM) is implemented using open interoperable standards based on the CityGML framework, which also allows the description of additional semantic metadata information. Visualization aspects are also supported to allow easy manipulation, interaction and representation of the 5D-DCHM geometry and the respective semantic information. The open source 3DCityDB incorporating a PostgreSQL geo-database is used to manage and manipulate 3D data and their semantics.

Promoting the Effect of the Qing Dynasty Imperial Garden Architectural Component Library on the Digitalization of Cultural Heritage

Abstract. With the development of computer technology and practical verification, digital virtual technology has matured and is increasingly being widely applied to cultural heritage protection and research. With this advancement in technology, there is pressing need to simplify heritage-related puzzles. Thus the main question that has increasingly become the most central and fundamental problem in heritage digitalization work is how to choose the “proper technology” that provides support directly, accurately and rapidly for the research, protection and exchange of cultural heritage. Based on the principles of “authenticity” and “completeness” found in the Venice Charter in regards to dealing with cultural heritage; this paper proposes the concept of the component library which facilitates the improvement and efficiency of virtual reconstruction, provides a visual discussion platform for cultural heritage protection, virtual scene construction, accuracy assessment, and multi-space-time exhibition; thereby implementing the spirit of tolerance and respect found in the Nara Document on Authenticity. The paper further aims to illustrate the significance of the Qing dynasty imperial garden architectural component library for cultural heritage study and protection, the principles for virtual library construction, use and maintenance of the library, and classification approaches, and also provide some suggestions about making high quality 3D models and effective means for database integration.

«Rumyantsev Readings - 2015: Book and Historical Memory»

The article presents information on the International Scientific Conference “Rumyantsev Readings”, held at the Russian State Library on 14-15 April, 2015. The conference theme of this year is «Book and Historical Memory. To the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic war». The event was attended by about 300 experts from different regions of Russia and foreign countries. Within the frames of the conference there were held: Plenary Session, Five Workshops («Contribution of Library as Social and Cultural Institution in Preservation of the Historical Memory of the People. Academic and Historical Aspect», (Pre-sessional Meeting of the RLA Section № 31 on the Research Work), «Effective Management of Library: Problems and Solutions» (Pre-sessional Meeting of the RLA Section № 32 on Library Management and Marketing), «Manuscript Sources in Library Collections: to the Problem of Preservation and Research of Cultural and Historical Heritage», “Book Culture and Visual Arts”, “Collectors, Educators, Patrons”) and three Round Tables: “Book that Defeated the Enemy”, «The Russian Language in the CIS Space», «Problems of Terminology in the Contemporary Acquisitions». There was opened virtual and book-illustrative exhibition dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Annuity from architectural monuments: Fundamentals, characteristics, potential

Research, restoration and maintenance of immovable cultural heritage requires funding. Before proposing a new way of funding that is in accordance with society possibilities and market principles, all the problems, field situations and needs should be professionally assessed. Monument annuity represents a way of including the immovable cultural heritage into economic domain. If based on professional principles, this would not represent an attack, a denial or profanation of heritage but could be the first step in regulation of the monumental potential of a territory. Monumental annuity provides sustainable monument management, defines maximum number of monument users, restricts monument exploitation, encourages proper attitude towards the monument, stimulates income, balances expenses, provides incentive for further exploration, provides funds needed for research and maintenance etc. During research, we used the theoretical and practical experiences of countries that have introduced payment of monument annuity.

Apps in the Practice and Teaching of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

Abstract A literature search of the topics new technologies, innovation, conservation, restoration and heritage, will reveal an abundance of articles and publications on these subjects: some cover discussions on the progress that has resulted from implementing one or more technological components into cultural heritage professional and research practices, whilst others simply offer descriptions of new devices, how they operate, and their potential applications. Few, if any, explore what happens when formal academic training is completed and job hunting begins, when essentially the infrastructure and support offered by the university or institution is no longer readily available for research purposes. If professionals need to make use of the university's services and expertise after having graduated, they will incur significant costs. Logically, many try to avoid these costs, but then find themselves lacking the expertise required for the project to run smoothly from the get go, or shelving studies entirely because they cannot secure sufficient funding to pay for this expertise or other associated resources. In order to address this issue and help university graduates in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration overcome such challenges once they graduate, a detailed study was performed aimed at establishing how to introduce students to ICT and LKT (Learning and Knowledge Technologies) content and training that specifically relate to the needs of practicing professionals in this field, and thus increase their autonomy upon graduation. As such, the study covers two elements: firstly, the direct and real applications of hardware and software available to the professional conservator-restorer in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration, and secondly, their role in the training of future professionals in this field. With regards to the first element - the practical applications of current hardware and software - we first had to compile a comprehensive list that detailed: available physical devices; compatible software and applications together with their descriptions; and the field applications of said devices. We then had to produce technical reports that detail the correct use and implementation of said devices. These reports were produced having first performed the necessary data collection and testing. With regards to the second element - the training of students – we attempted to address the demand for multidisciplinary work in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration. More often than not, higher educational degrees of this type do not offer students training regarding multidisciplinary collaboration, nor how to maximize its potential through the use of appropriate methodologies. As such, this study explores how different content could be taught using pre-existing subjects belonging to different degree programmes. Students also receive training in the use of new technologies, and experience innovative teaching techniques as a result of the inclusion of these state-of-the-art tools in the classroom. Teaching and learning is optimized via the use of virtual tools, collaborative online/offline tasks, as well as problem-based learning strategies (PBL). During the training period, the collaborative work that is required of the students and the problem-based learning tasks they perform are very much aimed at addressing the demand for multidisciplinary work in this field.

Thermal Neutron Tomography for Cultural Heritage at INR

The neutron and gamma imaging facility placed at the tangential channel of the TRIGA-ACPR from INR was used for tomography investigations on a test object with good results and shortly followed its involvement for tomography investigations on prehistoric statues of clay from the Arges County Museum. This activity was performed in connection with a research contract with IAEA with title “The neutron and gamma imaging method combined with neutron-based analytical methods for cultural heritage research”, in the frame of a current CRP, that helps curators to reveal the internal structure and composition of the objects. The detector system has been developed based on two interchangeable scintillators, one for thermal neutrons and the other one for gamma radiations, a mirror of float glass coated with aluminum and two interchangeable CCD cameras. Experiments of tomography imaging for two prehistoric statues of clay with CCD STARLIGHT XPRESS SXV-H9 camera with XD-4 type image intensifier are presented in this paper. The tomography reconstructions with Octopus software have shown the potential of good results even for 100 projections/1800. This was a good opportunity for the dissemination of the investigation methods based on neutrons for cultural heritage and beyond this area.

Kartlegging av historisk og nåværende landskaps- og ressursbruk i Finnmark

Pursuant to the Finnmark Act, the Finnmark Commissionwas established in order to identify potentially existingcollective or individual use- and property rights onland formerly defined as state-owned in Finnmark. TheCommission charged the Norwegian Institute for CulturalHeritage Research (NIKU) with reviewing historical andcurrent land- and resource use within selected survey areas.NIKU conducted several large-scale map-based surveysconcerning individual and communal traditional use, as wellas common understandings of the rights situation related toland- and resource use. Local knowledge describing traditional land- andresource use has so far been deemed of value for the ongoing rights processes in Finnmark. There is, however, little tosuggest that the physical traces of the described use have hadan important place in either the proceedings or the decisionsmade so far. In our opinion, cultural heritage sites and localknowledge are important sources of information for a timeperiod when written sources and public documents are lessthan adequate, and viewed together such data contribute toa broader understanding of both cultural heritage sites andthe relationship between sites and historic land- and resourceuse.

Preliminary Results of the Archaeological Reconnaissance carried out in Atsibi -Wemberta, Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia

Archaeological reconnaissance sponsored by the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) was conducted under the direction of the author in February 2004 in Atsibi-Wemberta district (Wereda) in eastern Tigray Administrative Zone. The objective of the archaeological ground reconnaissance was to assess the archaeological and tourism potential of the same place and to prepare the ground for future research. The preliminary assessment survey resulted with the discoveries of several settlements, cemeteries and religious sites ascribable to the pre-Aksumite and Aksumite cultures dating to about the middle of the first millennium BC and the first seven centuries AD, respectively. Key words : cemetery, settlement, stelae, Tumulus.

The IFIDA Project: Intelligent Fast Interconnected Devices and Tools for Applications in Archaeometry and Conservation Practice

The correct documentation and scientific attribution of ancient works of art requires the processing of relevant amounts of images and interdisciplinary data usually kept in non-compatible formats and objects of different property. The main goal of the IFIDA project Intelligent Fast Interconnected Devices and Tools for Applications in Archaeometry and Conservation Practice is to collect and integrate the dispersed models, tools, case studies, imaging and analytical resources resulting from previous investigations of works of art in repositories that facilitate extraction and sharing of new knowledge for cultural heritage research. This information will be further assessed applying sophisticated analytical and computer technologies in order to develop or adapt interconnected software tools for very fast authenticity certification and applications in archaeometry and conservation practice; to benefit development of new scholarship and technologies.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) for in situ identification of indigo and iron gall ink on paper.

Confirmatory, nondestructive, and noninvasive identification of colorants in situ is of critical importance for the understanding of historical context and for the long-term preservation of cultural heritage objects. Although there are several established techniques for analyzing cultural heritage materials, there are very few analytical methods that can be used for molecular characterization when very little sample is available, and a minimally invasive approach is required. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a powerful analytical technique whose key features include high mass sensitivity, high spatial resolution, and precise positioning of the tip. In the current proof-of-concept study we utilized TERS to identify indigo dye and iron gall ink in situ on Kinwashi paper. In addition, TERS was used to identify iron gall ink on a historical document with handwritten text dated to the 19th century. We demonstrate that TERS can identify both of these colorants directly on paper. Moreover, vibrational modes from individual components of a complex chemical mixture, iron gall ink, can be identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of in situ TERS for colorants of artistic relevance directly on historical materials. Overall, this work demonstrates the great potential of TERS as an additional spectroscopic tool for minimally invasive compositional characterization of artworks in situ and opens exciting new possibilities for cultural heritage research.

Interacting with Traditional Chinese Culture through Natural Language

Intangible cultural heritage represents the cultural identities and diversity of mankind, and should be preserved and passed on to the current and future generations. However, in digital cultural heritage research, intangible cultural heritage has been relatively less studied, and the focus has been placed on creating tools and applications for professionals rather than for the general public. In this paper, we present our research effort on creating an interactive system for conveying traditional Chinese culture through natural language conversation. We propose a systematic method for the domain experts to construct, with minimal effort, the knowledge base from a set of unstructured philosophy texts, and we design an algorithm to build a conversational agent emulating the conversation ability of a famous Chinese philosopher. We also report two evaluation studies on the prototype we developed, showing encouraging results on the feasibility and benefits of our approach. By automating part of the answer-finding task using natural language processing and information retrieval technology, the system is able to find answers dynamically, without the need to manually author large amounts of question and answer pairs. Our proposed method could potentially be used to create other conversational agents for educating and promoting cultural values to the general public in a natural and appealing way.

Nuclear Physics Methods in Cultural Heritage Research --- Accelerators for Art

Nuclear Physics Methods in Cultural Heritage Research --- Accelerators for Art

Metody pobierania próbek do badań organizmów niszczących zabytki

Methods of sampling for the biological research of cultural heritage In the conservatory practice historic items deteriorated by microorganisms – moulds, bacteria, aerophilic algae – and higher organisms – wood-destroying fungi, insects, lichens and mosses – are encountered quite frequently. Properly taken samples are then necessary to estimate the vitality of microorganisms, to identify the species of the organisms causing biodeterioration and to choose the optimal combating method. Only the properly taken samples are useful to the research made by specialists in various filds of biology. The sampling conducted by a conservator and a biologist together is not always possible, therefore this work presents some instructions for conservators facilitating them the unassisted appropriate sampling of microorganisms as well as wood-destroying fungi, lichens, mosses and insects. The rules concerning the sampling of biofim to the microbiological research are discussed, including methods aiming for the culturing and identifiation of microorganisms. The methods of sampling for other investigation of the microorganisms are also presented, namely the print on transparent Scotch tape, sampling to the SEM observation and bioluminescence assay owing to which the estimation of contamination a surface by living microorganisms is possible. Moreover, the instructions for the proper sampling of wood-destroying fungi as well lichens, mosses and insects are discussed. The special attention is paid to the caution required during the sampling to avoid any further destructions of the historic support weakened by the activity of the deteriorating organisms.

Documenting and sharing comparative analyses of 3D digital museum artifacts through semantic web annotations

Understanding the similarities, differences, and relationships between cultural heritage artifacts is critical for determining their significance and their provenance. It also provides valuable information for ensuring the long-term preservation of cultural heritage artifacts. Consequently, as more museums develop online three-dimensional (3D) collections, curators and scholars are demanding online tools that enable them to document and interpret variances and similarities between related 3D digital objects. This article describes a system that was developed to enable museum curators and/or scholars to document relationships between multiple 3D digital representations of museum objects using web-based annotation tools. The 3D Semantic Association (3DSA) system enables users to annotate relationships between multiple whole objects, parts of objects, or features on objects (surface features or volumetric segments). The annotations are stored on a server in an interoperable format that can be shared, discovered, browsed, and retrieved through a web browser interface. This approach not only improves scholars’ capabilities to undertake cultural heritage research but also enables researchers to document, share, discuss, and compare alternative hypotheses about the relationships between artifacts.

The roles of artists’ collective in the Gdansk Shipyard's heritage protection

Purpose – The main objective of this paper is to analyse the roles of the artists’ collective in the creation of socially shared knowledge, concerning Gdansk Shipyard's heritage protection during the urban regeneration process over last ten years, since 2002. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical section of the paper is based on a single case study concerning the artists collective’ ability to build a complex network of social relations, to research cultural heritage of the Gdansk Shipyard, to translate this knowledge into symbolic languages through art-based work and to transmit knowledge to the wider public with an aim to engage in an open dialogic public communication. Findings – The case study draws on insights from participant observation carried out on the premises of the Gdansk Shipyard between years 2000 and 2008 and interviews with individual artists from the collective, conducted between years 2004 and 2006. Data was also drawn from archival research. The exposure in public media was also examined over last ten years, including Internet websites as well as newspapers and magazines’ content. Research limitations/implications – The case study research indicates that methods and techniques applied by the artists’ collective in researching the shipyard's historical heritage and communicating their findings to the wider public have been more effective than the official planning methods of expert-led post-industrial urban regeneration. Over the last ten years, the artists have succeeded to transform the negative perceptions about the values of the shipyard's cultural heritage and engaged local citizens in the preservation of the historical identities of the place. In 2012, the Mayor of Gdansk has invited representatives of the artists’ collective to the newly established Young City Stakeholders’ Board in order to utilize their knowledge of the shipyard's cultural heritage and their capacity to mediate between various groups involved in urban regeneration planning process as well as to communicate with the wider public. Practical implications – Despite persistent views in literature that equate public engagement in the planning process of urban regeneration with a kind of “modern utopia”, we argue that participatory process is not only possible in practice but also can be highly effective and democratically ethical.

Valuing historic battlefields: an application of the travel cost method to three American Civil War battlefields

This paper presents individual demand models for three historic battlefield sites maintained by the US National Park Service. Preserved battlefields are valuable cultural resources that make up a significant portion of the US National Park system, but have received scant attention from economists. The demand for trips is modeled as a count data process. Visitor data for these battlefields were collected on-site, so the models account for truncation in the observed number of trips and endogenous stratification. The travel cost method, which is seeing increasing application in cultural heritage research, is used to estimate the use value of each battlefield. The results indicate an average individual willingness to pay for a battlefield trip ranging from about $8–$25, depending on the site.

Landscape Elements Analysis of Defensive Settlements along Ming Dynasty Great Wall with the Concept of Cultural Landscape

The movement of international cultural heritage protection experienced a history from single natural and cultural protection to the integration of nature and culture, at present, the concept of ''cultural landscape" become the hot topic of the cultural heritage research. Based on the cognition to the concept of "cultural landscape", This thesis analyses characteristics and connotation of the settlement-type cultural landscape, and quotes the concept used in the study of the built environment and its significance from Amos Rapoport. As a result, defensive settlements landscape along Ming dynasty Great Wall is divided into three forms: fixed-feature elements, Semi-fixed-feature elements, and the unfixed-feature elements. At the same time, this thesis elaborates the contents and characteristics of each of these three forms. It will make the value of the conservation of defensive settlements clear, and provides the basic research to the conservation for the future defensive settlements along Ming dynasty Great Wall.

Protection Suggestion and Analysis of Present Situation of Pre-Qing Architectural Heritage in China's Liaoning Province

This paper introduces the general situation of Pre-Qing architectural cultural heritage research work in Liaoning Province. It analyses the situation about the 30 heritage of historic buildings and the surrounding environment in Liaoning Province, gives the basic description on the research content and the methods of research. And, it Analyses the current situation of the architectural heritage of Liaoning and points out the problem that we meet, at the same time, provides the suggestions for protection. To protect the architectural cultural heritage resources in Pre-Qing Dynasty, in Liaoning Province, in whole, it can reference the model of heritage area to make an exploration of scientific research and make the protection planning of overall area.

THE QATAR NATIONAL HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD: A PLATFORM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FULLY-INTEGRATED CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT APPLICATION

Abstract. The development of the Qatar National Historic Environment Record (QNHER) by the Qatar Museums Authority and the University of Birmingham in 2008 was based on a customised, bilingual Access database and ArcGIS. While both platforms are stable and well supported, neither was designed for the documentation and retrieval of cultural heritage data. As a result it was decided to develop a custom application using Open Source code. The core module of this application is now completed and is orientated towards the storage and retrieval of geospatial heritage data for the curation of heritage assets. Based on MIDAS Heritage data standards and regionally relevant thesauri, it is a truly bilingual system. Significant attention has been paid to the user interface, which is userfriendly and intuitive. Based on a suite of web services and accessed through a web browser, the system makes full use of internet resources such as Google Maps and Bing Maps. The application avoids long term vendor ''tie-ins'' and as a fully integrated data management system, is now an important tool for both cultural resource managers and heritage researchers in Qatar.