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
AbstractThe magic lantern, developed in the mid-17th century, was the first optical instrument for projecting transparent images painted on glass slides. It became a powerful tool for scientific and religious education, entertainment, and advertising thro
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
AbstractTo promote the digital preservation and dissemination of Tibetan Opera, a unique form of intangible cultural heritage, this study addresses key challenges such as limited sample availability, intricate costume patterns, variable object scales, and
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
Marine Appart, Jiří Vnouček, Marc Fourneau, Nicolas Gros, Francesca Cecchet, Yves Poumay, Caroline Canon, Matthew James Collins Olivier Deparisnpj Heritage Science volume 13, Article number: 665 (2025)AbstractThe ability of sheepskin to delaminate has be
AbstractWhile movable metal-type printing in Goryeo and Joseon dynasties enabled efficient book production, certain aspects of the process remain insufficiently understood. We propose a method to estimate the number of typesetting boards used in historica
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
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
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
Marina Costa, Cláudia S. L. Vicente, Margarida Espada, Jorge M. S. Faria, Jorge Ginja Teixeira, José Bettencourt Dora Martins Teixeiranpj Heritage Science volume 13, Article number: 672 (2025)AbstractUnderwater archaeological excavations at a shipwreck l
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
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
AbstractThis study investigates the provenance and manufacturing process of glassware excavated from the Jiujian Site in Heilongjiang Province, China, dating to the Liao and Jin Dynasties (A.D. 907–1234), using multiple non-destructive analytical techniqu
Maria Paula M. Marques, Victor Guida, David Gonçalves, Ana L. C. Brandão, Daniela A. H. Santos, Stewart F. Parker, Claudia Rodrigues-Carvalho, Murilo Q. R. Bastos Luís A. E. Batista de Carvalhonpj Heritage Science volume 13, Article number: 682 (2025)Abs
AbstractRangoli, a vibrant and intricate art form integral to Indian festivals, symbolizes cultural heritage and community spirit. Despite its deep-rooted significance, the preservation and classification of rangoli designs have been underexplored. Our wo
AbstractPoetry-to-image generation aims to translate abstract poetic language into visual art, but existing methods fail to capture deep emotions and artistic essence, producing images that lack the poem’s aesthetic quality. To address this, we propose a
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
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
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
The illicit trade of architectural elements poses a long-standing challenge to cultural heritage conservation yet remains largely overlooked. This paper highlights the need to interlink heritage metadata and visual data for identifying architectural eleme
AbstractThis paper traces the transition from Daxi-Hougang cultural interactions to a tripartite cultural landscape, culminating in the consolidation of the Qujialing culture. Endogenous development centered on rice agriculture fostered the formation of s
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
npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 3 (2026)Martina Bernabale, Luca Buccini, Pierfrancesco Atanasio, Alessia Sanna, Anna Candida Felici, Daniele Passeri, Marco Rossi, Paolo Binaco Danilo DiniAbstractDuring the Roman period, amphorae were esse
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
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
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
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
AbstractThis study fills the gap regarding the behaviour of neutral verdigris pigment (Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O) in traditional wall-painting techniques, an area far less studied than its degradation in manuscripts or easel paintings. Verdigris was applied using t
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
AbstractDigital restoration of ancient murals is crucial for preserving cultural heritage. However, existing methods often suffer from semantic distortion and stylistic inconsistencies when repairing large damaged areas. This paper proposes M3SFormer, an
AbstractOnline cultural heritage presentations are transitioning from traditional media to immersive 3D displays, yet high-fidelity on-site 3D modeling faces copyright, security, and preservation constraints. This study proposes a deep learning-based 3D r
Published: 29 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 66 (2026)AbstractThis study applies high-precision industrial metrology to the conservation of rammed-earth buildings (Tulou), establishing a structural health monitoring (SHM) fram
Published: 31 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 77 (2026)AbstractTraditional research on ceramic colors relies heavily on qualitative descriptions and subjective judgments. This approach limits the ability to process large-scale
Published: 31 January 2026npj Heritage Science volume 14, Article number: 74 (2026)AbstractOutdoor solar loading thermography (SLT) for cultural heritage is challenged by nonstationary environmental forcing that masks defect responses. This study advances
AbstractLate Antiquity in the Mediterranean region and its border areas marks a period of significant historical change characterised by large-scale population movements and intense cultural interactions that are not yet fully understood. To offer new ins
