The course will provide the necessary knowledge, methodologies, and instruments:
a) for the analysis of problems regarding the biodeterioration of artworks (of bacterial, fungal, algal, lichen and plant origin), and on their phenomenology;
b) for techniques for the prevention and control of biological damage in the museum environment as well as at heritage and archaeological sites; for the recognition of the intangible heritage patrimony connected to the natural environment;
c) for the analysis of biological material in a heritage context to carry out investigative sampling and environment reconstruction;
It will also give some remarks on conservation issues and the enhancement of historical gardens and parks, monuments, and archaeological sites.
a) for the analysis of problems regarding the biodeterioration of artworks (of bacterial, fungal, algal, lichen and plant origin), and on their phenomenology;
b) for techniques for the prevention and control of biological damage in the museum environment as well as at heritage and archaeological sites; for the recognition of the intangible heritage patrimony connected to the natural environment;
c) for the analysis of biological material in a heritage context to carry out investigative sampling and environment reconstruction;
It will also give some remarks on conservation issues and the enhancement of historical gardens and parks, monuments, and archaeological sites.
teacher profile teaching materials
for the analysis of problems regarding the biodeterioration of artworks (of bacterial, fungal, algal, lichen and plant origin), and on their phenomenology;
for techniques for the prevention and control of biological damage in the museum environment as well as at heritage and archaeological sites;
for the recognition of the intangible heritage patrimony connected to the natural environment
for the analysis of biological material in a heritage context to carry out investigative sampling and environment reconstruction;
It will also give some remarks on conservation issues and the enhancement of historical gardens and parks, monuments, and archaeological sites.
and references on case-studies
Programme
Knowledge, methodologies, and instruments: for the analysis of problems regarding the biodeterioration of artworks (of bacterial, fungal, algal, lichen and plant origin), and on their phenomenology;
for techniques for the prevention and control of biological damage in the museum environment as well as at heritage and archaeological sites;
for the recognition of the intangible heritage patrimony connected to the natural environment
for the analysis of biological material in a heritage context to carry out investigative sampling and environment reconstruction;
It will also give some remarks on conservation issues and the enhancement of historical gardens and parks, monuments, and archaeological sites.
Core Documentation
La Biologia vegetale per i beni culturali (vol.I e II), 2005 G. Caneva (a cura). Ed. Nardini, Firenzeand references on case-studies
Type of delivery of the course
The course will take place with classroom lectures on the main topics of the course. The course also includes laboratory exercises on the main topics of the course.Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory, but coordination with the teacher is necessaryType of evaluation
The evaluation will be based on an original elaboration and an oral test. teacher profile teaching materials
The course focuses on biodeterioration, analyzing the principal biodeteriogenic organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, lichens, bryophytes, and vascular plants, and their role in the degradation of monuments, stone materials, archaeological structures, and works of art. Ecological and physiological factors governing the establishment, colonization, and succession of biological communities on cultural heritage materials will be explored in detail.
Particular attention will be devoted to innovative strategies of bioprotection and biorestoration, based on the use of organisms and biological processes to mitigate deterioration phenomena and promote the sustainable recovery of cultural artifacts. The course will also present the main protocols for monitoring, prevention, and conservation, with reference to biological diagnostic methods and the most recent guidelines for cultural heritage management.
In addition, the course will address the role of plants in shaping cultural landscapes, with specific insights into the conservation and enhancement of historic gardens, monumental trees, and other elements of plant heritage of historical and artistic significance. The contribution of botanical iconography to the reconstruction of past biodiversity and to the interpretation of plant representations in works of art will be examined, alongside the principles of ethnobotany, through the study of the relationships between human communities and plant resources, traditional ecological knowledge, and the historical uses of plants as components of intangible cultural heritage.
By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the principal organisms involved in biodeterioration processes, understand the ecological dynamics regulating their distribution and development, and evaluate integrated conservation strategies and protocols applicable to cultural heritage preservation. They will also be able to interpret the biological, historical, and cultural value of plant heritage and contribute to its conservation and enhancement within interdisciplinary approaches to the protection of cultural heritage and cultural landscapes.
Programme
This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge of plant biology applied to the conservation and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage. Following an introduction to the fundamental concepts of cultural heritage conservation and the specialized terminology of the field, the course examines the main types of materials constituting historical and artistic artifacts, with particular emphasis on their vulnerability to biological deterioration processes.The course focuses on biodeterioration, analyzing the principal biodeteriogenic organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, lichens, bryophytes, and vascular plants, and their role in the degradation of monuments, stone materials, archaeological structures, and works of art. Ecological and physiological factors governing the establishment, colonization, and succession of biological communities on cultural heritage materials will be explored in detail.
Particular attention will be devoted to innovative strategies of bioprotection and biorestoration, based on the use of organisms and biological processes to mitigate deterioration phenomena and promote the sustainable recovery of cultural artifacts. The course will also present the main protocols for monitoring, prevention, and conservation, with reference to biological diagnostic methods and the most recent guidelines for cultural heritage management.
In addition, the course will address the role of plants in shaping cultural landscapes, with specific insights into the conservation and enhancement of historic gardens, monumental trees, and other elements of plant heritage of historical and artistic significance. The contribution of botanical iconography to the reconstruction of past biodiversity and to the interpretation of plant representations in works of art will be examined, alongside the principles of ethnobotany, through the study of the relationships between human communities and plant resources, traditional ecological knowledge, and the historical uses of plants as components of intangible cultural heritage.
By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the principal organisms involved in biodeterioration processes, understand the ecological dynamics regulating their distribution and development, and evaluate integrated conservation strategies and protocols applicable to cultural heritage preservation. They will also be able to interpret the biological, historical, and cultural value of plant heritage and contribute to its conservation and enhancement within interdisciplinary approaches to the protection of cultural heritage and cultural landscapes.
Type of delivery of the course
The course consists of classroom lectures, laboratory exercises, and field activities aimed at providing an in-depth understanding of the biological issues related to cultural heritage conservation, while developing practical skills for the identification of biodeteriogenic organisms and the assessment of biological colonization processes.Type of evaluation
The final assessment consists of an oral examination and the preparation of a short paper and/or PowerPoint presentation on a topic agreed upon with the course instructor, aimed at exploring specific aspects of plant biology applied to cultural heritage conservation.