Advancing HeRitage science procedures for Depth-resolved condition risk assessment of wall paintings

Objective

Although heritage science field already offers a wide range of tools for condition assessment of wall paintings, an efficient on-site full-field depth-resolved inspection is not achieved yet. In practice, heritage professionals often struggle to interpret complex and fragmentary scientific data. Conservators often face challenges in assessing hidden risks and localizing the depth of detected detachments, covered fresco layers, refills, and cracks. The main challenge in wall painting’s condition assessment is that it is inextricably linked to the architectural/archaeological support. The preservation of the pictorial layer, often unique and irreplaceable as in ancient frescoes, depends on the integrity not only of the surface but of the bonding substrate and the structure behind it. Informed and timely interventions by conservators are important to mitigate natural aging processes, and become crucial in case of extreme events (e.g. seismic activities, climate disasters etc.) or anthropogenic damage (both intentional and unintentional, including past restorations etc.). The HeRiDe methodology will be grounded in a scientific protocol that employs cross-correlation formulas to analyze full-field interferometric and thermographic datasets. This approach will differentiate hidden risks according to their characteristics and depth in the stratigraphy of wall paintings. The HeRiDe project seeks to exploit the maximum yet to be explored potential of the complementary full-field heritage science approach, testing and validating the results on wall painting mock-ups, and transposing the methodology to real case studies. To facilitate its real implementation, a dedicated open source software tool will be proposed to ensure broad access for all international heritage professionals. Finally, HeRiDe will enhance the accuracy of risk assessments and support more informed conservation decisions, contributing to the sustainable preservation of wall paintings worldwide.