AbstractWater seepage can accelerate the deterioration of stone, but previous experimental studies often only focused on a single solution, ignoring the complexity of the natural water environment. In this study, sandstone samples from two strata of Lesha
AbstractThe preservation of cultural artifacts is vital for maintaining historical continuity, particularly for traditional Chinese paintings that often suffer from decay and damage over time. Existing inpainting methods struggle to simultaneously recover
AbstractRural population contraction and vitality decline pose universal challenges amid global industrialization and urbanization. This study adopts an integrated framework combining entropy weight method, gravity model, social network analysis, and expo
AbstractExisting studies have primarily focused on how the functional evolution of vessels responded to external demands, and many have overlooked the influence of regional institutional contexts and global trade networks. Drawing on computational text an
AbstractSeventeen Han Dynasty iron artifacts from the Luojiaba site, including materials from unit H235 and a burial area, were analyzed using metallography and SEM–EDS. The results indicate the concurrent use of cast iron and wrought iron/steel technolog
AbstractWhile Go embodies the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, archaeological research on it remains limited, particularly concerning Go-related cultural artifacts. We employed a suite of analytical techniques—including high-depth-of-fiel
AbstractDesiccation cracking and salt accumulation are major deterioration mechanisms in earthen sites within site museums, primarily caused by coupled moisture and salt migration under controlled environmental conditions. However, limited research on soi
Han Zhang, Taozhi Wang, Zhan Zhang, Bang Li, Hua Sun, Chengbin Hou, Nan Wang, Yang Yu, Qingju Jiao, Jing Xiong Yongge Liunpj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 19 (2026)AbstractOracle bone inscriptions are China’s earliest writing system, dating
AbstractGlobal agricultural heritage systems (GIAHS), recognized for their biocultural significance, is facing a critical challenge of balancing preservation with development. Despite digital nomads’ potential to generate low-impact heritage revitalizatio
AbstractGrassland phenology plays a critical role in ecosystem functioning and tourism dynamics in natural heritage sites. Focusing on Narat Shan of the Tianshan World Natural Heritage Site, this study integrates multi-source remote sensing, meteorologica
AbstractWe test whether orientation rules in the Eight Mansions (Ba Zhai) tradition align with microclimatic comfort in a hot–humid setting. Using CFD coupled with the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), we simulated 24 rotational orientations of a ty
AbstractRecognizing the unique construction nature and significance of historical reinforced concrete structures (1912–1949 in China), targeted research is vital for conservation strategies. This study collected and sorted six types of historical steel re
AbstractFew-shot point cloud semantic segmentation (FS-PCSS) is crucial for architectural heritage digitization, as it segments unseen categories with minimal annotations. However, existing methods focus on target features while neglecting background mode
Qiang Zhang, Jiazhen Qin, Ying Qi, Teng Wan, Shanxiong Chen, Lixin Yang, Chenyang Wang, Xin Zhang, Jintan Han Fengchen Qinpj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 25 (2026)AbstractJiandu, ancient China’s primary writing medium before paper, frequen
AbstractFor conservation and restoration purposes, the multi-analytical methods including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermally assisted hydrolysis-methylation pyrolysis-g
AbstractThis study presents an explainable machine learning approach for classifying traditional Korean ceramics, including celadon, buncheong, and white porcelain, based on X-ray fluorescence chemical composition data. A curated dataset of 624 samples wa
AbstractSeveral Shang and Zhou Dynasty oracle plastrons from the Taijiasi Site (Funan, Anhui, China) exhibit random flake- or patch-like surface black deposits unlikely induced by burning or pyromancy. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray
AbstractBronze inscriptions (BI), engraved on ritual vessels, constitute a crucial stage of early Chinese writing and provide indispensable evidence for archeological and historical studies. However, automatic BI recognition is challenging due to visual d
AbstractHistoric cities face increasing pressure from rapid urbanization, highlighting the need to understand long-term urban morphological evolution for sustainable heritage conservation. This study examines the spatial evolution of Kaifeng from the Nort
Shengxin Peng, Wen Liu, Tao Zhang, Junbing Pu, Zhiqiang Zhao, Haoran Liu, Yanhao Zhai, Nataša Ravbar, Alena Gessert Eko Haryononpj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 31 (2026)AbstractCave-air CO₂, one of the key indicators of cave ecosystem stab
AbstractThis study examines geomaterials from the Western Han Hongtushan tomb in Shandong, using an integrated analytical approach that includes optical imaging, Raman spectroscopy, handheld XRF, XRD, and EPMA. Several types of geomaterials were identifie
AbstractBronze statues hold deep significance in Buddhism and Bon, often containing relics sealed within their hollow interiors. Traditional scholarly methods, such iconographic analysis, cannot access the hidden contents of these statues without risking
AbstractAssessing landscape ecological risk (LER) is vital for sustainability in ecologically fragile regions. However, LER in cultural heritage sites remains insufficiently explored. Using Guyi Basin as a case study, this study analyzes LER dynamics unde
AbstractMural degradation presents significant challenges to cultural heritage preservation. To address this, a hierarchical mural inpainting model, APLDiff, based on a lightweight diffusion model, is proposed. A physics-based degradation simulation is in
AbstractAncient glass beads excavated across Japan are key materials for understanding cultural exchanges across the Eurasian continent. Conventional analysis relies on expert inspection and chemical composition measurements, making large-scale investigat
AbstractAdvances in AI, particularly deep learning, are transforming the protection and utilization of historical and cultural landscapes. This study proposes a comprehensive digital regeneration workflow for fragmented historical images that systematical
AbstractDigital humans are emerging as innovative media for interpreting the cultural heritage value of museums. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model, this study examines how information richness, information quality, aesthetic experience, and flow ex
AbstractCultural heritage (CH) conservation has long been shaped by expert value perceptions (EVP), while public perspectives remain underrepresented. With the growing recognition of CH’s role in urban social sustainability, there is a need to move beyond
AbstractAncient mural restoration is a challenging conditional image-generation problem because of large missing regions, semantic ambiguity, and strict demands for cultural and stylistic fidelity. We present DiffuMural, a multi-stage, condition-guided di
AbstractPrehistoric sites are important materials for understanding prehistoric civilization. This study addresses the limitations of current archaeological databases, which often suffer from fragmented data structures, weak spatiotemporal integration and
AbstractThis study investigates the provenance of Tang-dynasty black-glazed porcelain excavated from the Yingou site in Fuping, Shaanxi, through comparative analysis with authenticated Tang-dynasty Yaozhou kiln samples. A multi-analytical approach combini
AbstractPre-Qin philosophy is foundational to Chinese intellectual history, but its terminology features polysemy, contextuality, and school-specific variation, posing challenges to manual dictionary compilation. This study proposes an automatic lexicon c
AbstractThis study presents an integrated archaeometric analysis of three key Roman mosaics (Tethys, Erotes, and Scrollworks) from the Marroquíes Altos site (Jaén, Spain), currently displayed at the Museum of Jaén. The aim was to enhance their historical
AbstractIn early Chinese civilization loess-based clay mold technology was instrumental to both the mass production of ritual bronzes and the development of metallurgical traditions. A comprehensive understanding of ancient Chinese bronze casting technolo
AbstractHistorical buildings are important symbols of urban characteristics and context, and their protection or reuse requires minimal intervention. This article aims to establish a method for selecting the minimum intervention level. Firstly, this study
AbstractHeritage trees are vital natural-cultural heritage, contributing to regional biodiversity with significant social, cultural, and ecological values. Understanding their spatial patterns in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors can inf
AbstractThis study analyzes 16 pieces of greenish-white porcelain unearthed from the Hongjiajie cemetery, the family burial site of Han Derang of the Liao Dynasty in Beizhen, Liaoning. Using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and laser ablation
AbstractSuspended ancient timber structures, characterized by complex construction and unique load-transfer mechanisms, are prone to pronounced dynamic responses under pedestrian walking loads. This study aims to systematically investigate the structural
Published: 24 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 57 (2026)AbstractDou-Gong is one of the key factors in achieving seismic resistance and energy dissipation for timber architectural heritages. This study carried out experimental an
Published: 26 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 58 (2026)AbstractThis paper presents the multi-analytical study of the pictorial ensemble in Room 3 of the Domus of Salvius in Carthago Nova with the aim of deepening knowledge of t
Published: 27 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 59 (2026)AbstractThis study develops a Cluster Protection and Utilization System (CPUS) through complex network analysis to enhance conservation strategies for traditional villages
Published: 28 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 61 (2026)AbstractDigital inpainting of traditional Chinese murals is challenged by the difficulty of disentangling intricate structures from unique artistic styles, often leading to
