Preface

This book highlights the efforts of researchers in the field of cultural heritage, including studies of advanced methods and new materials for preserving works of art and cultural heritage monuments.

The integration of science with art in the complex process of analysis, the knowledge and understanding that are necessary to save and protect works of art, and the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, in general, is provoked by a need of those currently living to leave for the next generation an inheritance of art and culture that is as intact as possible.

The book is organized into three parts: Art Criticism, Intelligent Image, and Advanced Methods for Investigation, each distinct from one another but all with a common goal.

The book begins with a preliminary study of the role of environmental characteristics, including geological, hydrogeological, and geotechnical features, in rehabilitating historical and cultural heritage monuments. It discusses advanced methods, innovative solutions based on nanostructured consolidants, new materials for preservation, and polymer enclosures for protection, all with real chances for practical application.

Chapter 1 demonstrates how art criticism plays a crucial role in art rehabilitation and preservation. Guided tours on art-related topics improve one's artistic taste through visual contact with authentic art pieces.

Chapter 2 describes how optical information can be used to study archaeological objects in order to determine more precisely and noninvasively the characteristics of the shape and color of artifacts. Image-processing tools are used to reveal chromatic features and apparent geometric details. We address the issue of intelligent combining of digital image analysis functions to recognize and estimate possible color and shape evolutions. The purpose of this research is to develop a tool based on passive investigation techniques of artifacts to help experts make the best decisions in the process of authenticating, preserving, and restoring objects.

Chapter 3 addresses the issues that interfere with artistic criticism, biological, physico-chemical analyses, and intelligent mathematical modeling systems, such as Markerless Augmented Reality and 3D reconstruction. It describes advanced technical devices for identifying and stopping the degradation and deterioration of many of the world's most culturally and historically valuable artworks.

Chapter 4 describes the processes of degradation that affect cultural heritage sites, revealing interactions between the chemical characteristics of substrates, the underlying substrate penetration, and the microbiota systems. This chapter presents comparative studies of the conventional techniques generally applied to biodeterioration, such as microbiological cultures, light microscopy, and modern microscopy applications, including epifluorescence, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

I hope that this book proves to be a useful contribution to the field of cultural heritage.

I would like to give special thanks to all authors that contributed to this book: Tatiana Portnova, Silviu Ionita, Hoshang Kolivand, Abdennour El Rhalibi, Sarmad Abdulazeez, Pisit Praiwattana, Verginica Schroder, Adina Honcea, and Rodica-Mariana Ion.

> **Daniela Turcanu-Carutiu** Ovidius University of Constanta, Romania

> > **1**

Section 1

Introduction

Section 1 Introduction

**3**

**Chapter 1**

Monument

be decoded so far [2, 3] (**Figure 1**).

**1.1 Monument characteristics**

**1. Introduction**

Introductory Chapter:

Environmental Characteristics of

a Dobrudja Famous Archeological

Assembly, dated IX–XI centuries is located in a hill of chalk cliff into a Roman

After the discovery, in 1957, the assembly elements were partially crushed and the rocks have been repositioned in a structure of reinforced concrete and cement mortar. A protective building of concrete has been built for more than half of the site; the rest remained under provisional protection of wood and tar paper. These constructions have

The monument is in an extremely critical situation, taking into account the sensitivity of the chalk rock; it was accelerated and damaged after the assembly discovery. For this reason, it is imperative exceptional measure for protection. Since 1960, construction of a permanent building protection was expected to protect the whole site in front of adverse weather conditions, variations in tempera-

Cave monuments are conducted on an area of 2684 sqm. They are protected by a permanent building, on an area of 924 sqm. This construction is made of reinforced concrete with a roof inclined at 30°, applied to the building built between 1971 and 1974. The remaining 1760 square meters were covered with a temporary protection structure made of wood and reed, covered with tar paper. This construction was supposed to protect the monuments of rain, snow, wind

Currently, the wooden structure of the building was repaired under provisional protection, and cardboard asphalt was replaced with polycarbonate enclosures in

The church monuments carved in the Chalk Mountain was strengthened in broken or degraded areas by frost infiltration in reinforced and enamel-coated concrete. Cracks that have been injected with cement and sand mortar have a dark

ture and humidity and other factors that could compromise the monument.

not assured proper microclimate, especially in the facing incised [4].

and also of changes in temperature and humidity.

gray appearance on the chalk surface, like a splash.

summer 2006 (**Figure 2**).

career style, with churches, galleries branched vaults, housing the tombs [1]. Facings are inscribed with symbolic designs and different scenes and a large number of inscriptions. Some of these are palaeoslavonic and Cyrillic and some are written in Glagolitic or in Greek, but mostly in an enigmatic writing that could not

*Daniela Turcanu-Carutiu and Rodica-Mariana Ion*
