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Minerals
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Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage
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Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 7177

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marco Benvenuti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Interests: slags; (ancient) metal artifacts; (ancient) coins; phase equilibria; geosites; ore geology; heavy metal pollution; applied mineralogy; archaeometallurgy; cultural heritage; atchaeometry; museum collections; conservation studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rosarosa Manca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Interests: cultural heritage; heritage science; geomaterials; non-invasive analysis; museums; pigments; archaeometallurgy; glazes; 19th century
Dr. Lucilla Fabrizi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Interests: conservation science; XRD analysis; ancient ceramic; metallic materials; mineralogy; petrographic thin section; provenance study; mineralogical collections; museums; gemstones; science dissemination

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Materials of mineral origin have always been exploited by humanity to meet its technological, cultural and artistic needs. The study of geo-materials is, therefore, fundamental to trace the evolution of geo-resource exploitation, trade routes and manufacturing techniques across the centuries.

This Special Issue focuses on the interconnection between geomaterials (including ceramics, stones, metals, gemstones, mineral pigments, glasses, etc.) and cultural heritage, with specific attention to the study of museum collections. Contributions from Earth Sciences, Heritage Science, Materials Science, Museum Studies and related disciplines are invited to advance our knowledge and conservation practices.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Analytical characterization of geomaterials of archaeological, artistic or naturalistic value to acquire information on manufacturing techniques, provenance of raw materials and authenticity;
  • Study of the exploitation of mineral deposits in the pre-industrial world;
  • Characterization and conservation of geomaterials in museum collections;
  • Innovative techniques and methodologies for studying geomaterials of cultural interest;
  • Study of degradation processes and sustainable and eco-friendly conservation approaches.

We invite researchers to contribute to this Special Issue, which we hope will foster a deeper understanding of the materials that shape our heritage and promote sustainable practices to preserve them for future generations.

Dr. Marco Benvenuti
Dr. Rosarosa Manca
Dr. Lucilla Fabrizi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geomaterials
  • cultural heritage
  • conservation
  • museums
  • earth sciences
  • heritage science
  • archaeometry
  • materials science
  • environmental science
  • natural history museums
  • sustainability

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 5987 KiB  
Article
Towards Mineralogy 4.0? Atlas of 3D Rocks and Minerals: Digitally Archiving Interactive and Immersive 3D Data for Rocks and Minerals
by Andrei Ionuţ Apopei
Minerals 2024, 14(12), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121196 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Mineralogy 4.0 can play a significant role in the future of geological research, education, and exploration by providing a more comprehensive and interactive understanding of rocks and minerals. This paper explores the application of digital photogrammetry and augmented reality (AR) technologies as part [...] Read more.
Mineralogy 4.0 can play a significant role in the future of geological research, education, and exploration by providing a more comprehensive and interactive understanding of rocks and minerals. This paper explores the application of digital photogrammetry and augmented reality (AR) technologies as part of Mineralogy 4.0. An atlas of 3D rocks and minerals with 915 high-quality models was created to showcase the potential of photogrammetry in the mineral sciences. The repository contains a wide range of sample types, featuring transparency, metallic luster, fluorescence, or millimetric-scale crystals. The three-dimensional rocks and minerals can also be accessed on-the-go through a mobile application that was developed for Android devices. Additionally, web applications have been developed with specific three-dimensional collections as well as three-dimensional storytelling. AR technology was also integrated into the 3D repository, allowing users to superimpose virtual 3D models of rocks and minerals onto real-world surfaces through their device’s camera. Also, a digital solution with 3D holograms of rocks and minerals was effectively implemented to provide an interactive and immersive experience. The 3D datasets of rocks and minerals can play a significant role in the geoscience community’s research, developing not only in-depth knowledge of specimens but also opening new frontiers in mineral sciences, leading towards a more advanced era of mineralogy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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17 pages, 3569 KiB  
Article
A Cippus from Turris Libisonis: Evidence for the Use of Local Materials in Roman Painting on Stone in Northern Sardinia
by Roberta Iannaccone, Stefano Giuliani, Sara Lenzi, Matteo M. N. Franceschini, Silvia Vettori and Barbara Salvadori
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101040 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
The ancient Roman town of Turris Libisonis was located on the northern coast of Sardinia and was known in the past as an important naval port. Located in the Gulf of Asinara, it was a Roman colony from the 1st century BCE and [...] Read more.
The ancient Roman town of Turris Libisonis was located on the northern coast of Sardinia and was known in the past as an important naval port. Located in the Gulf of Asinara, it was a Roman colony from the 1st century BCE and became one of the richest towns on the island. Among the archaeological finds in the area, the cippus exhibited in the Antiquarium Turritano is of great interest for its well-preserved traces of polychromy. The artefact dates back to the early Imperial Age and could have had a funerary or votive function. The artefact was first examined using a portable and non-invasive protocol involving multi-band imaging (MBI), portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), portable FT-IR in external reflectance mode (ER FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. After this initial examination, a few microfragments were collected and investigated by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in ATR mode (ATR FT-IR) and micro-ATR mode (μATR FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to improve our knowledge and characterize the materials and to determine their provenience. The results contribute to a better understanding of the provenance of materials and shed light on pigments on stone and their use outside the Italian peninsula and, in particular, Roman Sardinia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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24 pages, 8757 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Traditional Pottery Artifacts from Yucatán Peninsula, México: Implications for Manufacturing Process Based on Elemental Analyses
by Miguel Pérez, Oscar G. de Lucio, Hugo M. Sobral, Ciro Márquez-Herrera, Avto Goguitchaichvili and Soledad Ortiz
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100993 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1079
Abstract
The present work is focused on developing and implementing a minimally invasive methodology for material characterization of traditional pottery from Yucatan, México. The developed methodology, which combines elemental (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)) [...] Read more.
The present work is focused on developing and implementing a minimally invasive methodology for material characterization of traditional pottery from Yucatan, México. The developed methodology, which combines elemental (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)) and molecular (fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS)) spectroscopic analytical techniques, allowed for the characterization of contemporary pottery objects manufactured following traditional recipes in the town of Uayma, Yucatán, México and raw materials associated with the pottery manufacturing process. The results allowed us to detect and estimate the number of selected elements and helped to infer the presence of complex materials such as iron oxides, aluminosilicates, and calcium carbonate. Additionally, the analysis indicated two pottery groups separated by their elemental and molecular composition, corresponding to the sources of raw materials employed by the potters. It confirmed the absence of toxic compounds in ceramic objects, a significant concern for potters, as some objects are intended for domestic use. The research findings provide reassurance about the safety of these products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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14 pages, 5646 KiB  
Article
Synchrotron Micro-X-ray Diffraction in Transmission Geometry: A New Approach to Study Polychrome Stratigraphies in Cultural Heritage
by Giulia Morabito, Nicoletta Marinoni, Giorgio Bais, Marco Cantaluppi, Alessandra Botteon, Chiara Colombo, G. Diego Gatta, Maurizio Polentarutti, Marco Realini and Elena Possenti
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090866 - 25 Aug 2024
Viewed by 819
Abstract
In cultural heritage, paint stratigraphies are complex systems typically consisting of various paint layers with fine crystalline phases mixed with coarse pigment and filler grains. This complexity poses significant challenges for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In this work, we employed synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray [...] Read more.
In cultural heritage, paint stratigraphies are complex systems typically consisting of various paint layers with fine crystalline phases mixed with coarse pigment and filler grains. This complexity poses significant challenges for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In this work, we employed synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray diffraction in transmission geometry (SR-µTXRD) with linear mapping to develop a novel approach for studying the crystalline phases (pigments and fillers) in mock-up paint stratigraphies. A targeted approach was followed for qualitative, quantitative, and microstructural analysis, combining signals from micrometric crystallites and coarse single crystals as well as from randomly oriented and iso-oriented crystalline phases. This allows for identifying, localizing, and quantifying these phases even in low fractions and distinguishes the same phases across different layers with varying grain sizes or spatial orientations. Critical analysis of 2D XRD patterns, coupled with full-profile fitting performed by the Rietveld method, provides insights into material preparation (e.g., grinding), painting technique (e.g., color palette, use of fillers, brushing), and crystallo-chemical modifications over time. This analytical approach, integrating spatially resolved investigation with high-quality phase characterization, enhances the potential of specific XRD methodologies for a 2D investigation of multi-phase materials in cultural heritage, even without dedicated micro-mapping techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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23 pages, 15963 KiB  
Article
Study of the Geological Context of the 7th–6th Century BC Phoenician Era Shipwreck “Mazarrón 2” (Murcia, Spain)
by María-Teresa Doménech-Carbó, Nuria Guasch-Ferré, Carla Álvarez-Romero, Rocío Castillo-Belinchón, Soledad Pérez-Mateo and Milagros Buendía-Ortuño
Minerals 2024, 14(8), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14080778 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 915
Abstract
The Mazarrón 2 shipwreck was found in 1994 on the beach of Playa de la Isla (Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain). This finding is extremely important because the boat and its lead cargo were still in a reasonable conservation state and, therefore, provided new data [...] Read more.
The Mazarrón 2 shipwreck was found in 1994 on the beach of Playa de la Isla (Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain). This finding is extremely important because the boat and its lead cargo were still in a reasonable conservation state and, therefore, provided new data on naval construction, commercial goods, navigation routes, and the relationships between the Phoenicians and the local population in the 7th–6th century BC. Currently, the shipwreck remains underwater, protected by a metallic coffer. In the last 2 years, a Preliminary Studies Project has been carried out, supported by national and regional public institutions. This research aims to know the shipwreck’s conservation state and to determine the extraction and conservation methods at the Museo Nacional de Arqueología Subacuática ARQVA (Cartagena, Spain), where the conservation and restoration treatment will be conducted. The sampling strategy and analytical study included not only wood and other materials from the shipwreck and its cargo but also the seawater and the seabed materials in the vicinity of the shipwreck. This paper presents the results of the geochemical study of the archeological site. The applied methodology included physico-chemical tests, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray microanalysis, and X-ray microscopy. The results indicated that, despite the wreck being buried at a shallow depth (less than 50 cm) in a marine environment with a water column of 2–2.5 m, influenced by complex coastal dynamics that favor an oxic environment, early diagenetic processes like the formation of pyrite framboids are particularly intense in the pores and internal channels of the wreck’s wood, where a different dysoxic–anoxic environment prevails. These processes have been the main mechanisms to have affected the wreck and are related to the biogeochemistry of sediments. The sediments have been confirmed to be closely related to the geological context of the Mazarrón region. The conducted study found no significant evidence of pollution due to the lead cargo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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10 pages, 6264 KiB  
Article
Bismuth White (Bismuth Oxychloride) and Its Use in Portrait Miniatures Painted by George Engleheart
by Lucia Burgio
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070723 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 965
Abstract
This article documents the discovery of ‘bismuth white’ on three late eighteenth-century portrait miniatures in the Victoria and Albert Museum collections, painted by renowned English artist George Engleheart. Metallic bismuth and bismuth-containing minerals have been known for centuries and were used on various [...] Read more.
This article documents the discovery of ‘bismuth white’ on three late eighteenth-century portrait miniatures in the Victoria and Albert Museum collections, painted by renowned English artist George Engleheart. Metallic bismuth and bismuth-containing minerals have been known for centuries and were used on various types of artistic production, from German Wismutmalerei to medieval manuscripts and Renaissance paintings. However, until now they had never been documented on portrait miniatures, despite documentary evidence that suggests their use. The Raman analysis of the three miniatures shows that bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl, corresponding to the mineral bismoclite) is present, and XRF data prove that this material was used as a white pigment in its own right. This work is a pilot study: it represents the first step in the rediscovery of bismuth white as an artist’s pigment, and hopes to provide encouragement to other institutions to look deeper in their collections and map out the use of a relatively rare white material which until now had not been detected or documented in fine art objects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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16 pages, 7172 KiB  
Article
The Memorial Chapel (Formerly Holy Trinity Church) in the Tempio Evangelico Valdese (Florence): Surveys and Characterization of Decorative Plasters for a Conservative Recovery
by Sara Calandra, Elena Pecchioni, Francesca Briani, Maria Di Benedetto, Carlo Alberto Garzonio, Eleonora Pica, Teresa Salvatici, Irene Centauro and Alba Patrizia Santo
Minerals 2024, 14(7), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14070658 - 26 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1004
Abstract
This study focuses on the Memorial Chapel, a historical site located inside the Tempio Evangelico Valdese in Florence. In 1843, the first Anglican church in Florence, known as Holy Trinity Church, was built by D. Giraldi. Around 1892, G. F. Bodley began the [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the Memorial Chapel, a historical site located inside the Tempio Evangelico Valdese in Florence. In 1843, the first Anglican church in Florence, known as Holy Trinity Church, was built by D. Giraldi. Around 1892, G. F. Bodley began the reconstruction of a new building of neo-Gothic style at the same site, which was completed in 1904. This new church had a space dedicated to memory called Memorial Chapel. In 1967, the monumental complex was acquired by the Waldensians, now known as the Tempio Evangelico Valdese. This interdisciplinary investigation aimed to study the most damaged painted walls of the chapel. For this purpose, samples of decorative plaster mortars were collected from various points, after carrying out a digital mapping of the degraded areas. Mineralogical, petrographic, optical, chemical, and microchemical analyses were performed. This study made it possible to highlight the composition and the characteristics of the different layers of the plaster mortars, permitting us also to identify the types of pigments used over time in the paintings; furthermore, it was possible to reconstruct the degradation phenomena on the walls and the events that caused them, providing valuable insight for targeted restoration efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomaterials and Cultural Heritage)
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