Analytical Technologies for the Diagnostics of Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with knowledge on the application of both conventional and advanced instrumental analytical methods to the study of the chemical composition of cultural heritage materials (stone materials and ceramics, glasses, metals and metallic alloys, writing and digital information supports, dyes and inorganic pigments, organic remains) and of their degradation processes. Particular attention is paid to experimental approaches and data interpretation, useful for the solution of specific problems concerning these materials, such as provenance, manufacturing technology, dating, authenticity and conservation.
Expected learning outcomes
After attending the course, the student will be able to: select the most appropriate instrumental analytical methods to address specific questions related to the study and conservation of cultural heritage materials; develop tailored protocols for analyzing materials from different classes; interpret and process experimental data effectively.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Module 1
The elemental composition and the provenance of materials: principles of techniques based on X-ray emission (XRF and micro-XRF, PIXE, electronic microprobe); principles of neutron activation analysis (NAA); the analysis of isotope ratios in inorganic mass spectrometry; principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis for the processing of elemental composition data.
Electronic spectroscopies for the non-invasive identification of the substances responsible for color: visible reflectance spectroscopy with optical fibers (FORS) and spectrofluorimetry; application of multivariate analysis methods to spectroscopic data; the colorimetric coordinates for the study of the alteration of coloring compounds.
Vibrational spectroscopies for the materials of works of art and archaeological finds: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for microscopic measurements (micro-FTIR in transmission, in specular reflection and in ATR) and for non-invasive and "in situ" measurements in reflection mode; micro-Raman spectroscopy, with particular attention to the special techniques of resonance Raman (RR), surface-enhanced Raman (SERS) and spatial offset Raman (SORS).
Mass spectrometry and combined techniques for the study of archaeological organic residues, natural organic dyes, contemporary art materials and their degradation products: analysis with direct introduction (DI-MS) and direct exposure (DE-MS); laser desorption ion source (LDI); gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in TIC, SIM mode and combined with headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and pyrolysis (py-GC-MS); high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with mass spectrometry with ESI and APCI ion sources (HPLC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS).
Dating methods: 14C dating and thermoluminescence.
Module 2
Metals and alloys of artistic interest; metal extraction processes; Ellingham diagram; notes on metallurgy: state diagrams and heat treatments; structure of metals and metal alloys; manufacturing techniques.
Degradation of an artefact of artistic interest; corrosion mechanisms: atmospheric corrosion, corrosion in soils and corrosion in a marine environment; examination of corrosion morphology; failure analysis; analysis of corrosion deposits; corrosion control and protection techniques; case studies.
Optical microscopy in cultural heritage; visual and macroscopic examination for identification of the constituent materials and any degradation phenomena; preliminary analysis of the socio-cultural context of the artefact: how/when/where it was manufactured; metallographic analysis; sampling and preparation of samples; metallographic attacks to highlight defects, inclusions and microstructure; case studies.
Scanning electron microscopy in cultural heritage; sample preparation and purpose; morphological and compositional analysis (EDS); study of corrosion deposits, gilding and other metallic deposits; searches for trace elements; case studies.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction in cultural heritage; potential and limits of the techniques; analysis of chemical phenomena on the surface of an artistic object; analysis of the nature of a corrosion deposit; analysis of the crystalline structure of the artefact.
Biodegradation of an artistic artefact; colonization and biofilm formation; microbial mechanisms and metabolites; culture-based analytical methods and surface examinations; DNA sequencing; biodegradation treatment methods: physical, chemical and biological.
The elemental composition and the provenance of materials: principles of techniques based on X-ray emission (XRF and micro-XRF, PIXE, electronic microprobe); principles of neutron activation analysis (NAA); the analysis of isotope ratios in inorganic mass spectrometry; principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis for the processing of elemental composition data.
Electronic spectroscopies for the non-invasive identification of the substances responsible for color: visible reflectance spectroscopy with optical fibers (FORS) and spectrofluorimetry; application of multivariate analysis methods to spectroscopic data; the colorimetric coordinates for the study of the alteration of coloring compounds.
Vibrational spectroscopies for the materials of works of art and archaeological finds: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for microscopic measurements (micro-FTIR in transmission, in specular reflection and in ATR) and for non-invasive and "in situ" measurements in reflection mode; micro-Raman spectroscopy, with particular attention to the special techniques of resonance Raman (RR), surface-enhanced Raman (SERS) and spatial offset Raman (SORS).
Mass spectrometry and combined techniques for the study of archaeological organic residues, natural organic dyes, contemporary art materials and their degradation products: analysis with direct introduction (DI-MS) and direct exposure (DE-MS); laser desorption ion source (LDI); gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in TIC, SIM mode and combined with headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and pyrolysis (py-GC-MS); high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with mass spectrometry with ESI and APCI ion sources (HPLC-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS).
Dating methods: 14C dating and thermoluminescence.
Module 2
Metals and alloys of artistic interest; metal extraction processes; Ellingham diagram; notes on metallurgy: state diagrams and heat treatments; structure of metals and metal alloys; manufacturing techniques.
Degradation of an artefact of artistic interest; corrosion mechanisms: atmospheric corrosion, corrosion in soils and corrosion in a marine environment; examination of corrosion morphology; failure analysis; analysis of corrosion deposits; corrosion control and protection techniques; case studies.
Optical microscopy in cultural heritage; visual and macroscopic examination for identification of the constituent materials and any degradation phenomena; preliminary analysis of the socio-cultural context of the artefact: how/when/where it was manufactured; metallographic analysis; sampling and preparation of samples; metallographic attacks to highlight defects, inclusions and microstructure; case studies.
Scanning electron microscopy in cultural heritage; sample preparation and purpose; morphological and compositional analysis (EDS); study of corrosion deposits, gilding and other metallic deposits; searches for trace elements; case studies.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction in cultural heritage; potential and limits of the techniques; analysis of chemical phenomena on the surface of an artistic object; analysis of the nature of a corrosion deposit; analysis of the crystalline structure of the artefact.
Biodegradation of an artistic artefact; colonization and biofilm formation; microbial mechanisms and metabolites; culture-based analytical methods and surface examinations; DNA sequencing; biodegradation treatment methods: physical, chemical and biological.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the fundamentals of analytical chemistry are required.
Teaching methods
Module 1
The module is based on frontal lectures.
The corresponding web page can be found on the MyAriel platform.
Module 2
The module is based on frontal lectures.
The corresponding web page can be found on the MyAriel platform.
The module is based on frontal lectures.
The corresponding web page can be found on the MyAriel platform.
Module 2
The module is based on frontal lectures.
The corresponding web page can be found on the MyAriel platform.
Teaching Resources
Module 1
The reference material is constituted by the slides of the lessons, made available on the web page of the course in the MyAriel platform.
Module 2
Lesson materials are made available to students on the MyAriel site as pdf files or videos.
The reference material is constituted by the slides of the lessons, made available on the web page of the course in the MyAriel platform.
Module 2
Lesson materials are made available to students on the MyAriel site as pdf files or videos.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is based on a written test for each module, aimed to assess not only the acquired knowledge but also the capability of discussing critically a problem related to the subjects of the course.
The results of the test for each module, expressed with a vote out of 30, are reported on the corresponding website in the MyAriel platform.
The final mark is communicated through the electronic service Vweb.
The results of the test for each module, expressed with a vote out of 30, are reported on the corresponding website in the MyAriel platform.
The final mark is communicated through the electronic service Vweb.
CHIM/01 - ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Bruni Silvia, Trasatti Stefano Pierpaolo Marcello
Professor(s)
Reception:
on appointment
teacher's office at the Department of Chemistry
Reception:
Wednesday 13:30-12:30, other days by appointment
via Golgi 19, Building 5A (Chemistry), West Wing, mezzanine, room R20-O