31968 - Environmental and Cultural Heritage Chemistry

Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Cultural Heritage (cod. 8849)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the materials composing historical, archaeological, architectural, musical artefacts and the environmental factors acting on the material decay.

Course contents

1- The Materials of cultural heritage: characteristics and properties

Introduction to the chemistry of stones, ceramics, paper, glass, metals, paintings. Examples and case studies.

2- The environment

Introduction to environmental micro and macro factors inducing materials decay.

3- The system: Environment - Artefact

Interaction environment- material in Cultural Heritage: mechanisms of decay. Examples and case studies.

4- Diagnostic investigation for the characterization of materials end assessment of the state of conversation of artefacts.

Introduction to non-destructive and micro-destructive techniques for the diagnostic of decay of Cultural Heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides of lessons.

Bibliography, not mandatory:

L. Campanella, A. Casoli, M.P. Colombini, R. Marini Bettolo, M. Matteini, L. M. Migneco, A. Montenero, L. Nodari, C. Piccioli, M. Plossi Zappalà, G. Portalone, U. Russo, M. P. Sammartino. Chimica per l'arte, Zanichelli, 2007.

M.Matteini, A.Moles. La chimica del restauro.I materiali dell'arte pittorica, Nardini editore, Firenze 1993, 3° edizione

C. Fiori, S. Lorusso, R. Pentrella. Restauro, manutenzione, conservazione dei Beni Culturali: materiali, prodotti, tecniche. Alcune applicazioni nel settore dei beni culturali. Pitagora, Bologna 2003.

Teaching methods

Oral lessons, slides.

Assessment methods

oral exam

The exam consists of an oral interview on the whole program carried out during the course, during which the achievement of the teaching objectives will be evaluated. In particular, the degree of acquisition of the contents is considered, the critical skills acquired by the student, the possession of specific language, as well as an organic vision of the issues addressed.
The result of the examination will follow the following indications:
insufficient grade: lack of basic training knowledge, inappropriate language and inability to produce links between the various topics addressed.
sufficient to good: discrete possession of basic knowledge; appropriate language and ability to connect.
positive to excellent: full possession of basic knowledge and language; reasoning and connection autonomy.
Teaching material: the teaching material presented in class is available to the online site of UNIBO.
The materials are reserved for students of the University of Bologna, enrolled in the course.

Teaching tools

PC, Video projector, blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Cristina Chiavari