Science for cultural heritage: technological innovation and case studies in marine and land archaeology in the Adriatic region and inland : VII International Conference on Science, Arts and Culture : August 28-31, 2007, Veli Loésinj, Croatia

The aim of the conference was to discuss the contribution of physics and other sciences in archaeological research and in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Considering that the mission of ECSAC is to promote the interaction among the diverse cultures of the peoples from the lands on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, it is apt that the major themes were related to the rich history and pre-history of this region — from Greek-Roman archaeology on the eastern Adriatic coasts to the palaeoanthropology of the Neanderthals of the Vindija caves in Croatia, from the Roman city of Aquileia to the pleistocenic cave of Homo heidelbergensis in the Karst of Visogliano (Trieste), from the Roman ship Julia Felix of the Grado lagoon to the ancient bronze Apoxyomenos of the Veli Lošinj waters.A variety of scientific disciplines provide tools and methods that are crucial in reconstructing humanity's past and in preserving material remains that witness the evolution of human culture.

Geology reconstructs the history of terrestrial environments, critical for the evolution and dispersal of humans.

Chemistry explains reactions that modify materials left by human activities, including the destructive effects of pollution.

Biology has a critical role in archaeology, particularly with the recent advance in analysis of DNA in ancient organic materials.Sample Chapter(s)Introduction (128 KB)Chapter 1: Archaeological and Archaeometric Data in the Tudy of the Athlete of Croatia (729 KB)Contents: Archaeological and Archaeometric Data in the Study of the Athlete of Croatia (M Michelucci)Ion Beam Techniques for Analysis of Cultural Heritage Objects: Collaboration Between the Ruder Bošković Institute and the Croatian Conservation Institute (S Fazinić et al.)Study by Mobile Non-Destructive Testing of the Bronze Statue of the “Satiro” of Marsala (G Guida et al.)Archaeometric Measurements with PIXE in Slovenia (Ž Šmit)In Situ Chemical Composition Analysis of Cultural Heritage Objects Using Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (D Wegrzynek et al.)Integrated Geophysical Techniques for the High-Resolution Study of Archaelogical Sites (M Pipan & E Forte)Thermoluminescence Dating and Cultural Heritage (M Martini & E Sibilia)New X-Ray Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography for Cultural Heritage (F Casali et al.)Cosmic Rays for Archaelogy (G Giannini)Some Examples of Examination, Characterisation, Analysis and Conservation Techniques Dedicated to Archaelogical Artefactcs (J L Boutaine)and other papersReadership: Researchers in cultural studies and education.