The Future of the Past: Pioneering Approaches in the Use of Synchrotron Light and Beyond for Heritage Studies

This presentation will focus on the work undertaken at CCHT, a leading Italian research Centre (pert of the Italian Institute of Technology) with a notable female scientists presence, dedicated to advancing the study of materials that make up cultural heritage. The Centre plays a critical role in the development of innovative protection technologies, focusing particularly on the characterization and in-depth diagnostics of materials to better understand the nature of heritage objects, as well as the causes and processes of their degradation.

The research activities at CCHT are primarily aimed at identifying the composition, structure, and degradation mechanisms of various materials such as glass, metals, frescoes, and mosaics. The presentation will delve into how synchrotron light, an advanced and powerful tool for material analysis, is used in these studies. Special emphasis will be placed on the positive outcomes and discoveries achieved through the use of synchrotron techniques at SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East), a regional facility that has contributed significantly to our understanding of cultural heritage materials.

Through this talk, I will explore how the combination of cutting-edge technology and in-depth scientific research is helping preserve and protect cultural heritage for the future, shedding light on the past while contributing to the development of new technologies for the safeguarding of these irreplaceable items.