Green Cluster Joint Dissemination Webinar

The digitisation of cultural heritage is a critical mechanism for safeguarding and preserving it in the context of degradation as a consequence of climate change or destruction caused by natural disasters.

The project focuses on the use of three-dimensional modelling as the central interface for the integrated and advanced management of scientific knowledge.

Advances in the use of these models lie in their enhancement. A system has been developed for projecting data in the form of textures, enabling interactive comparison and simultaneous visualisation of the data.

These models, enhanced with non-invasive analysis techniques, are not only used throughout the monitoring and analysis process, but also form the basis for training artificial intelligence and predictive models applied to conservation.

The tools developed by the consortium optimise data interpretation and help improve the management and dissemination of cultural heritage.

Furthermore, they enable the analysis and comparison of cultural artefacts over time, in situ collaboration in an Augmented Reality environment and synchronous remote collaboration in a Virtual Reality environment.

The NERITES project develops systematic, autonomous and remote monitoring solutions for Underwater Cultural Heritage monuments and artefacts, using non-destructive, cost-effective and transportable digital technologies.

The project combines autonomous underwater platforms, advanced sensing technologies, AI-based image processing and multi-temporal 3D analysis to support the assessment, monitoring and preservation of underwater cultural heritage sites.

Beyond its technological dimension, NERITES also addresses important policy challenges related to the protection and sustainable management of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

These include the need to better integrate Underwater Cultural Heritage into Maritime Spatial Planning and Blue Economy strategies, promote green and non-invasive monitoring methods, support the use of AI and robotics in cultural heritage preservation and establish stronger frameworks for underwater research and innovation.

The presentation will introduce the NERITES vision, core technologies and pilot demonstrations in Greece and Italy, while highlighting how the project contributes to greener, safer and more evidence-based approaches for the protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and the marine environment.

Over the past decade, photoacoustic techniques have attracted growing interest in the field of cultural heritage diagnostics owing to their non-invasive character, large probing depths and excellent sensitivity to optical absorption.

Spectroscopic and imaging photoacoustic modalities exploit the generation of acoustic waves following the absorption of pulsed optical radiation, thereby enabling the investigation of cultural heritage objects with complex stratigraphy and geometry, including paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and wall paintings.

This talk presents a novel reflection-mode photoacoustic system operating at excitation wavelengths in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions and incorporating a specialised air-coupled ultrasonic transducer for efficient signal detection.

By exploiting the ratio of photoacoustic amplitudes acquired under dual-wavelength excitation, the system demonstrates enhanced sensitivity for:

• The early detection of ageing and degradation phenomena in pigmented layers and varnishes.
• The assessment of corrosion in metallic substrates and alloys.
• The visualisation of hidden features and subsurface layers in multilayered systems.
• The reliable discrimination of inks and pigments exhibiting similar optical characteristics.

These findings highlight the potential of photoacoustic sensing as a powerful complementary diagnostic modality for cultural heritage studies.

By providing depth-resolved information on optical absorption properties with high sensitivity, photoacoustic techniques offer valuable insights into material composition, degradation mechanisms and the stratigraphic structure of cultural heritage objects.