NATIONAL PHD IN HERITAGE SCIENCE

Thesis title: Indagini archeometriche e monitoraggio ambientale per la conoscenza, la conservazione e la diagnostica del patrimonio culturale mediante lo sviluppo di nuove metodologie analitiche

The main objective of this research was the development of an analytical protocol applicable to the diagnostic study of cultural heritage objects of different nature. The investigation considered not only the composition of the artifact, but also the environment in which it is or could be preserved. Diagnostic analyses can often be combined with environmental monitoring, which represents a crucial aspect in support of conservation and restoration. Indeed, only through an accurate analysis of both the object and its context can optimal preservation be ensured. To achieve this goal, the reliability of a multidisciplinary approach was demonstrated through the application of a multi-analytical protocol that integrates elemental, spectroscopic, microscopic, and chromatographic techniques, together with instruments for environmental parameter monitoring. The thesis focused on two main aspects: on the one hand, the study of archaeological artifacts of different kinds, and on the other, the environmental monitoring of a specific site of cultural interest. The latter proved to be preparatory for future monitoring campaigns to be carried out also in archaeological sites. In the first case, artifacts of very different nature were deliberately selected, with the aim of demonstrating that the developed analytical protocol can be applied in diverse contexts. In the second case, a complex case study was chosen-namely, a site of historical and artistic relevance that requires monitoring for its conservation. The reliability and versatility of the protocol were validated through three specific case studies: the diagnostic analysis of marine mollusk remains; the non-invasive study of Egyptian artifacts; and indoor environmental monitoring at the Sanctuary of Beata Vergine dei Miracoli in Saronno (VA). The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness and complementarity of the techniques employed, confirming the validity of the proposed protocol in different and complex contexts. The originality of this work also lies in the possibility of analyzing objects and sites never studied before, thereby making a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field of diagnostics applied to cultural heritage.