AbstractThis study centers on the symbiotic integration of art and chemistry in the conservation of bronze artifacts. Focusing on chemical analysis, cleaning, corrosion protection, and sealing, it aims to balance scientific stability with historical authe
AbstractRising global temperatures have worsened climatic conditions, reducing human habitat comfort, especially in hot and humid regions. Yet historical and cultural heritage buildings achieve comfortable microclimates without active climate control. Thi
AbstractAccurate identification of pigments is vital for preserving Tibetan Thangka paintings, where mineral colors often occur in undocumented mixtures and layered structures. We introduce an automatic hyperspectral framework that unifies pigment classif
AbstractArchive storage boxes are preventive tools used by museums and archives to mitigate the impact of adverse external factors. In this study, quaternized chitosan and polyacrylamide double-network gel were used to load sodium octaborate tetrahydrate,
AbstractSalt weathering poses a major threat to porous sandstone in cultural heritage. Iron-tartrate complexes have been proposed to modify NaCl crystallization behavior and prevent clumping. However, their efficacy in stone conservation has remained unve
AbstractHan-Tang Western Region beacon towers hold significant historical value but suffer severe damage, with traditional restoration lacking visual references. This paper proposes a GAN-based image restoration method combining Pix2Pix and CycleGAN model
AbstractThe Guanzhong region, a major political and cultural center in ancient China, is known for its imperial and noble tombs with symmetrical, central-axis layouts that reflect hierarchical order and feng shui principles. These tombs, often aligned wit
AbstractAncient manuscripts require digitization to combat deterioration and enable preservation. This study addresses challenges in multilingual document processing, including noise, texture variations, and ink fading, by proposing GLADUnet – a Global-Lo
AbstractThangka murals, as a vital carrier of Tibetan Buddhist culture, pose unique challenges for automatic image colorization due to their intricate structures and rich symbolic content. To address the critical issues of color overflow and semantic inco
AbstractTraditional Cantonese ancestral halls are essential components of Chinese cultural heritage, functioning as symbolic systems that embody rich cultural values. Drawing from architectural semiotics, we propose the DualPath-WavNet_Canton model to dec
AbstractAncient murals, as invaluable cultural heritage, are prone to degradation from natural erosion and human activities. Traditional manual restoration methods have inherent limitations, which in turn make virtual restoration a promising and innovativ
AbstractBuddhist sculptures face preservation challenges due to physical degradation and limited accessibility. We present a framework for high-fidelity 3D reconstruction from single 2D images, integrating modified Stable Diffusion architecture with a nov
AbstractThe risks of aging, damage, and disappearance of ancient buildings are becoming increasingly severe. Three-dimensional digital technology is increasingly crucial for their protection, restoration, and research. Addressing the low efficiency and po
AbstractTraditional Chinese gardens embody sophisticated spatial design principles often described through abstract terms like “scenic archetypes,” yet systematic methods for analyzing their visual spatial characteristics remain underdeveloped. This study
AbstractGenerating traditional Chinese landscape paintings from classical poetry is a challenging cross-modal task due to the condensed semantics and esthetic abstraction of poetic language. Existing text-to-image models struggle to interpret classical Ch
AbstractTo address the challenge of Identifying traditional villages of diverse cultural types, this paper proposes an intelligent image classification method based on deep learning. We use five cultures—Hakka, Linchuan, Luling, Yuanzhou, and Yuzhang—as c
npj Heritage Science volume 13, Article number: 674 (2025)Teodora Boyadzhieva, Michael Højlund Rasmussen, Bjarke Jensen, Arne Jouttijärvi, Arkadiusz Goszczak, Jacek Fiutowski, Caroline E. Larsen Lasse Kristian Taagelund HedegaardAbstractA renovation of t
AbstractIdentification of archaeological wood species is critical for decoding the biogeographical, historical, and cultural narratives of artifacts, but remains a challenge in practice. To address this challenge, we developed a deep learning framework in
AbstractThe tomb of Seti I (KV17) is the largest, deepest, and most elaborately adorned tomb in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings. This structural distinction has rendered it vulnerable to irreversible deterioration and structural deficiency, exacerbated by his
AbstractOracle bone script, China’s earliest known mature writing system, epitomizes ancient Chinese civilization’s origins. However, many characters are severely damaged by temporal degradation and natural erosion, complicating their interpretation. Thus
AbstractThangka murals are vital Tibetan cultural heritage. However, existing digital images face insufficient clarity, often limited to resolutions below 1024 × 1024 pixels, which hinders cultural preservation and analysis. Despite their potential, Trans
AbstractThe Holy Crown of Hungary is a unique medieval artefact whose debated origin is examined through an archaeoengineering approach specifically developed for its objective, scientific investigation. Within this methodological framework, the technolog
AbstractBased on the Web of Science literature (2004-2024), this review synthesizes integrated applications of solar, geothermal, wind, and other renewables in architectural heritage. It proposes principles centered on authenticity and assesses the potent
AbstractPetrifying springs are priority habitats where bryophytes sustain travertine formation and key ecological functions. Bibliometric analysis of 124 studies reveals the field’s evolution from taxonomic studies to a multifunctional perspective. We dem
AbstractUnderstanding ecosystem service driving mechanisms (ESDM) is essential to ensure the sustainable utilization of ecosystem services (ES). However, a systematic assessment of ESDM is still lacking. To address this gap, this study used a systematic l
Jakub Markiewicz, Patryk Kot, Andreas Georgopoulos, Agnieszka Bocheńska, Magomed Muradov, Mona Hess, Karol Czajkowski, Dorota Zawieska Angeliki Antoniounpj Heritage Science volume 13, Article number: 622 (2025)AbstractThe safeguarding and preservation of
AbstractAncient Chinese wooden structures exhibit remarkable organic characteristics, reflected in their highly integrated construction and exceptional seismic performance. To explore the seismic-resistant wisdom inherent in ancient wooden structures, thi
AbstractArchaeological Predictive Model is crucial for efficient site identification but faces challenges like high uncertainty in negative samples, limited accuracy, and simplistic analyses of site-environment interactions. This study, based on 189 Kusha
AbstractAgricultural heritage landscapes are complex socio-ecological systems increasingly challenged by human pressures and climate change, yet the mechanisms underlying their ecosystem resilience remain unclear. This study combines time-series remote se
AbstractAs a living heritage, the Jiangnan Canal landscape features interwoven natural and artificial water networks. To accurately interpret its overall spatial composition and address heritage sustainability challenges, this study proposes Geo-SegFormer
AbstractConsidering the threat of urbanization, exploring the multilevel spatial characteristics of irrigation district cultural landscapes (IDCLs) is crucial for their sustainable conservation. This study employs a multiscale framework and interdisciplin
AbstractThis review assesses the application of cellulose derivatives, specifically cellulose ethers and nanocelluloses, in cultural heritage conservation. By analysing literature and case studies, it highlights how their unique properties enable eco-frie
AbstractIn the context of global urban renewal, historic urban areas (HUAs) face the challenge of balancing heritage preservation with sustainable development. Heritage tourism is a key pathway to achieve this balance. The emotional responses and behavior
AbstractWith three millennia of evolution history, ancient Chinese characters present unique challenges for intelligent recognition systems due to severe degradation and stylistic variations, causing notable intra-class variation and reduced inter-class s
AbstractPaper-based artifacts are particularly susceptible to pest infestations. To overcome the limitations associated with conventional treatments, this study introduces a nitrogen-based anoxia/hypoxia and pressure regulation (NPR) system as a safer alt
AbstractThis GIS-based study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of 1085 settlements and capitals in the Luoyang Basin from the Xia to Han-Wei periods (c. 2070 BCE—534 CE). Settlement patterns transitioned from a dispersed, multi-centric cluster to a pr
AbstractSiheyuan, a traditional Chinese courtyard dwelling, is the cultural heritage where Fengshui, the ancient Chinese superstitious geomancy, is embedded. This paper presents a novel parametric approach to interpret the Fengshui theory Li Qi computatio
AbstractIn the context of heritage tourism development, accurately identifying the preferences of new-generation tourists is critically important. Based on dual-process theory, this paper combines questionnaire surveys with neuroscience (ERP) techniques t
AbstractIdentifying ancient textile fibers is crucial for conservation and reflects ancient subsistence and economic practices. This study investigates fiber and textile fragments from two neighboring turquoise mining sites in the Hexi Corridor, dating to
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
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
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
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
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
AbstractIn the context of global cultural integration, the preservation of cultural heritage is faced with dual challenges of inheritance and innovation. It is clear that this study takes Fujian Tulou as a case study and tries to propose a Cultural Visual
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
