Multi-Technique Approach for the Sustainable Characterisation and the Digital Documentation of Painted Surfaces in the Hypogeum Environment of the Priscilla Catacombs in Rome

Paola Calicchia, Sofia Ceccarelli (), Francesco Colao, Chiara D’Erme, Valeria Di Tullio, Massimiliano Guarneri, Loredana Luvidi, Noemi Proietti, Valeria Spizzichino, Margherita Zampelli and Rocco Zito
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Paola Calicchia: Institute of Marine Engineering (INM), CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy
Sofia Ceccarelli: Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), CNR, Via Cardinale Guglielmo Sanfelice 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
Francesco Colao: ENEA, Frascati Research Center, Via Enrico Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Chiara D’Erme: Institute of Marine Engineering (INM), CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy
Valeria Di Tullio: Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
Massimiliano Guarneri: ENEA, Frascati Research Center, Via Enrico Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Loredana Luvidi: Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
Noemi Proietti: Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
Valeria Spizzichino: ENEA, Frascati Research Center, Via Enrico Fermi 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Margherita Zampelli: Institute of Heritage Science (ISPC), CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00010 Montelibretti, Italy
Rocco Zito: DIMES Department, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-26

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify an efficient, sustainable, and “green” approach to address the challenges of the preservation of hypogeum heritage, focusing on the problem of moisture, a recurring cause of degradation in porous materials, especially in catacombs. Conventional and novel technologies have been used to address this issue with a completely non-destructive approach. The article provides a multidisciplinary investigation making use of advanced technologies and analysis to quantify the extent and distribution of water infiltration in masonry before damage starts to be visible or irreversibly causes damage. Four different technologies, namely Portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Audio Frequency–Acoustic Imaging (AF–AI), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), Infrared Thermography (IRT), and 3D Laser Scanning (RGB-ITR), were applied in the Priscilla catacombs in Rome (Italy). These imaging techniques allow the characterisation of the deterioration of painted surfaces within the delicate environment of the Greek chapel in the Priscilla catacombs. The resulting high-detailed 3D coloured model allowed for easily referencing the data collected by the other techniques aimed also at the study of the potential presence of salt efflorescence and/or microorganisms. The results supply an efficient and sustainable tool aimed at cultural heritage conservation but also at the creation of digital documentation obtained with green methodologies for a wider sharing, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Keywords: non-destructive techniques; NMR; AF–AI; LIF; IRT; 3D laser scanner; hypogeum; cultural heritage; sustainable analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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