An essential part of what gives artifacts or buildings character and a sense of
belonging is the history they represent. One way of acknowledging this history is by understanding the materials' values, their sources, their diffusion through trade and use, and the processes behind their manufacturing or building. These peculiar features may be an example of a particular style of architecture, represent a significant era, represent superb craftsmanship and exquisite artistic features that were achieved during a
significant period, or also represent a milestone in a city’s history. These historical and cultural heritages are worth preserving for an endless number of reasons. Old artifacts or buildings are witnesses to society’s aesthetic and cultural history, helping to give people a sense of place and connection to the past. Historical and cultural heritage is often created with unique, valuable natural or synthetic materials. These were used over space and time as implements, ornaments, pigments, building materials, and raw materials for metals, ceramics, and other processed products. They may have detailing and features that cannot be found anymore. Conservation of these artifacts or buildings deals with actions and processes aimed at preserving their values and prolonging their physical lives. Specific approaches, standards, protocols, techniques, and intervention methods need to be continuously revised and developed in view of both technological and contextual changes to which they are applied.
This session is thus conceived to foster ideas and information as well as update innovation on non-invasive and micro-invasive investigations at both the qualitative and quantitative level that are suitable for cultural heritage across several disciplines. Material composition, authentication, provenance, dating, production technology, and state of conservation represent just some fundamental information obtained from spectroscopic
methods that is accessible through conventional laboratories and/or large facilities, together with geophysical approaches. In this scenario, the material characterization domain involves a wide variety of techniques, each promoting a different level of understanding of the materials, their features, and their functions. Accordingly, research and review papers on traditional and innovative investigations as well as material characterization
analysis in the field of cultural heritage are welcomed in this session.