Science and Technology for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

PAOLO CIAMPI

A - Knowledge and understanding
OF 1) To know the physical principles underlying the main geophysical methods (geo-electrical, electromagnetic, ground-penetrating radar, seismic, gravimetric, and magnetometric) applicable to cultural heritage studies
OF 2) To understand the basic concepts of computational techniques used for the processing and visualization of geophysical data
OF 3) To understand the geological characteristics of archaeological and cultural sites and the role of geophysical techniques in monitoring natural processes affecting conservation and integrity.
B - Application skills
OF 4) To be able to deduce the most appropriate geophysical technique for different types of archaeological sites and cultural heritage assets
OF 5) To be able to solve problems related to the planning and execution of non-invasive geophysical surveys
OF 6) To be able to collaborate in the application of geophysical techniques and methods for field data acquisition, and to contribute to their processing and interpretation using basic computational tools, while complying with cultural heritage protection regulations
C - Autonomy of judgment
OF 7) To be able to interpret the results of geophysical investigations, taking into account the historical, archaeological, and geological context of the site
OF 8) To integrate the knowledge acquired in order to assess the effectiveness of investigations and propose optimal solutions for the conservation and monitoring of cultural heritage
D - Communication skills
OF 9) To be able to communicate the results of geophysical investigations clearly and effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
OF 10) To be able to present data and conclusions effectively, using visual aids and data visualization techniques
OF 11) To be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines (geologists, archaeologists, conservators) within projects aimed at the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage."
E - Ability to learn
OF 12) To have the ability to consult and utilize scientific and technical resources related to the application of geophysics to cultural heritage
OF 13) To have the ability to continuously update one’s knowledge on emerging technologies and new methodologies in geophysical surveying

Students will become familiar with the main non-invasive geophysical methods, including electrical, electromagnetic, ground-penetrating radar, seismic, gravimetric, and magnetometric techniques, and will understand computational approaches for processing and visualizing data. They will learn to assess the geological characteristics of sites and select the most appropriate methodology for each context, planning and conducting field surveys in compliance with cultural heritage regulations. Students will be able to interpret results within the historical, archaeological, and geological context, integrate acquired knowledge to propose effective conservation and monitoring solutions, and communicate findings clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. The course also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, geologists, conservators, and other professionals, while encouraging continuous updating of knowledge on emerging technologies and geophysical survey methodologies.

Basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, and Earth sciences, with particular emphasis on geological principles. A general understanding of fundamental concepts in archaeology is recommended to fully appreciate the context in which geophysical techniques are applied to cultural heritage.Modalità di svolgimento

• Introduction to Applied Geophysics for Cultural Heritage: overview of geophysical prospecting techniques, active and passive methods, main fields of application. Concepts of forward and inverse problems.
• Gravimetric method: principles and applications; Earth’s gravitational field; survey techniques; data correction, anomaly calculation and filtering; interpretation and applications to the detection of voids and underground structures.
• Magnetic method: Earth’s magnetic field and rock magnetization; instruments and measurement techniques; interpretation of magnetic anomalies; applications to the identification of buried archaeological structures and anthropogenic materials.
• Electrical methods: electrical conduction in geological materials; rock resistivity and Archie’s law; direct current resistivity method, principles and applications; Spontaneous Potential and Induced Polarization methods; applications to archaeological prospection and structural monitoring.
• Electromagnetic (EM) methods: fundamentals of electromagnetism; induction methods, VLF techniques, transient EM; ground-penetrating radar (GPR): principles, acquisition, processing, and interpretation; applications in archaeology, architecture, and monument diagnostics.
• Seismic methods: elastic wave properties and propagation; refraction and reflection methods; surface waves and active/passive techniques (HVSR, MASW); applications to foundations, masonry structures, and archaeological subsurface characterization.
• Hydrogeophysics: the role of geophysics in the study and management of groundwater resources; applications to archaeological and environmental contexts; direct-push and high-resolution techniques; case studies.
• Instrumentation and case studies: overview of geophysical equipment, acquisition procedures, data processing and interpretation; practical applications to archaeological sites and cultural heritage assets.

Materials provided by the lecturer and shared on the Google Classroom platform.
Literature and bibliographic material made available during the course.
Reference Text: Introduction to Applied Geophysics by H.R. Burger, A.F. Sheehan, C.H. Jones, W.W. Norton & Company; ISBN: 0393926370.

Lectures: 40 hours
Exercises: 12 hours.

Attendance: Not mandatory but recommended.

The examination consists of two parts:
Individual presentation: the student prepares and discusses a short presentation on a case study, selected from the topics and techniques covered during the course. The presentation should demonstrate the ability to connect theoretical principles, methodologies, and practical applications.
Oral examination: assessment of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course, with particular attention to physical principles, data acquisition and processing procedures, and applications to cultural heritage conservation.
The final evaluation will be based on the content and quality of the presentation, clarity of communication, and the student’s ability to plan geophysical surveys and interpret data and anomalies.

During the course on Geophysics Applied to Cultural Heritage, students will be asked to engage with a variety of theoretical and practical questions. They may be invited to explain the physical principles underlying the main geophysical methods and to discuss how the geological characteristics of a site can influence the choice of the most appropriate technique. Questions will often require interpreting geophysical data and integrating them with historical, archaeological, and geological information, assessing the effectiveness of surveys and proposing possible solutions for the conservation and monitoring of cultural heritage assets. Other questions will focus on developing communication and collaboration skills, asking students to present findings clearly to both scientific and non-scientific audiences and to consider how to work effectively with professionals from multiple disciplines. Finally, questions will encourage autonomous learning, prompting students to consult updated scientific resources and reflect on emerging technologies and new geophysical survey methodologies.

• Introduction
  to Applied Geophysics: Overview of geophysical prospecting techniques.
  Active and passive methods. Fields of application. The direct and inverse
  problems in applied geophysics. (6 hours)


• Gravimetric
  Method: Principles and applications. The Earth's gravitational field;
  relative measurement of the gravitational field; techniques for conducting
  gravimetric surveys; data correction and processing, calculation and filtering
  of anomalies; interpretation. (6 hours)


• Magnetic
  Method: The Earth's magnetic field. Rock magnetization. Measurement
  techniques in magnetometry. Magnetometers. Magnetic field generated by
  spherically symmetric magnetized bodies. Interpretation of magnetic anomalies.
  Examples of magnetic prospecting applied to the detection of buried structures
  in archaeological areas. (6 hours)


• Electrical
  Methods: Conduction mechanisms in rocks: metallic conductors,
  semiconductors, dielectrics (insulators), solid and liquid electrolytes. Rock
  resistivity. General equations: Archie's law. Direct current (DC) geoelectrical
  prospecting: resistivity method, principles and applications. (8 hours)


• Electromagnetic
  (EM) Methods: Fundamentals of electromagnetism. Induction-based EM methods.
  Very Low Frequency (VLF) methods. Time-domain (impulsive) methods. Ground
  Penetrating Radar (GPR). Data acquisition, processing, and interpretation.
  Spontaneous Potential (SP) method, principles and applications; Induced
  Polarization (IP) method, principles and applications; examples of application.
  (6 hours)


• Seismic
  Methods: Nature, characteristics, and propagation of elastic waves;
  refraction method; reflection method; surface waves, active and passive
  techniques, MASW methods, applications. (8 hours)


• Instrumentation
  and Data Analysis: Presentation of geophysical instruments and techniques
  for data acquisition, analysis, processing, and interpretation applied to real
  case studies. (12 hours)