GEOPHYSICS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

The lecture provides the students with concepts of pure and applied geophysics that are relevant for the diagnosis and conservation of cultural and artistic heritage, with focus on the natural phenomena and anthropogenic processes - including current climate change - that affect the preservation and fruition of artistic, architectural and landscape heritage. The course include an applicative part that will allow the students to get familiar with GIS ("Geographic information system") software and the acquisition and analysis of climatic data.

Knowledge of the various implications of geophysics and applied geology for the diagnosis and conservation of artistic and cultural heritage, knowledge of the natural phenomena and anthropogenic processes, that are relevant for the preservation of cultural heritage, including climate change, and the tools employed for their prediction, development of critical evaluation skills in contexts of strong multidisciplinarity. Skills concerning acquisition and analysis of climatic data.

Basic concepts of chemistry, physics and history.

Key general concepts of pure and applied geology; Elements of mineralogy and petrography applied to the conservation of cultural heritage; The climate system and its role in the formation and degradation/weathering of minerals and rocks; Natural phenomena and humans: earthquakes, climatic changes, volcanic eruptions, subsidence; Geophysical landscape; Geophysical technologies for cultural heritage: introduction to geophysical prospecting methods, tomography, stratigraphy, geographic information systems. Experience with analysis of climatic data.

An excursion to the city of Venice (6 hours) on the topics of the frontal lectures will take place at the end of the course.

The content will be proposed by referring as far as possible to relevant artistic, architectural or historical case studies, both national and international.

Lollino, G., et al., Engineering Geology for Society and Territory: Preservation of Cultural Heritage (Volume 8) - Springer
"Introduction to Climate Science" ebook by Andreas Schmittner (Oregon State University), also available online for free.
"Introduction to climate dynamics and climate modelling" freely available at: http://www.climate.be/textbook/ebook.html
Peixoto J.P., Oort A.H. Physics of climate, 1992, 520 pp.
IPCC-AR5 report and IPCC specific reports, available here: https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/

10% in class participation
30% mid-term (in class presentation of a scientific article on the lectures' topics)
60% final exam

The final exam consists of an oral presentation (max 15 minutes) concerning the results of an analysis of climatic data in the context of an original case-study proposed by the student and relevant for the conservation of cultural heritage (examples will be proposed in class) followed by some questions aimed to ascertain the understanding of the different topics of the class, particularly regarding the capability of independently elaborating the acquired information.

frontal lessons
in-class practical experiences with personal computer (GIS, climatic data analysis)
field excursion

English

slides/notes of lectures

oral