This paper describes the methodological approach of monitoring and diagnostic investigation tested in the Catacombs of St Mark, Marcellian and Damasus, Rome. This research activity developed in the framework of HYPOGEA project started in 2012 as a collaboration between PCAS and CNR-ICVBC of Florence. HYPOGEA aimed to understand the conservation issues in relation with the microclimate of the hypogean environment and, least but not last, to plan the scheduled maintenance to ensure public accessibility of the Catacombs. The combined diagnostic approach and monitoring of the surface are based on petrographic evidence from stratigraphic investigation of mural painting samples, colorimetric measurements, FT-IR and XRD spectra, and surface morphology survey by digital photogrammetry in close range modality. The microclimate conditions of the environment (temperature, relative humidity, superficial temperature and CO2 concentration) have been monitored in the Cubicle of the Twelve Apostles chosen as test site of HYPOGEA. H2O-CO2 exchanges between air and painted surface, and related dissolution-precipitation reactions triggered by surface condensation of CO2-rich water, tend to alter the former structure of the painting and therefore add textural and stratigraphic features. The definition of a multi-technique protocol for environmental monitoring to observe and measure crystallization phenomena on the painted surfaces and its implementation in a real-world case study are among the main achievements of HYPOGEA.
Monitoring of the Catacombs of St Mark, Marcellian and Damasus, Rome, Italy: methodological approach and results
E Cantisani;OA Cuzman;F Fratini;R Manganelli Del Fà;C Riminesi;B Sacchi;
2016
Abstract
This paper describes the methodological approach of monitoring and diagnostic investigation tested in the Catacombs of St Mark, Marcellian and Damasus, Rome. This research activity developed in the framework of HYPOGEA project started in 2012 as a collaboration between PCAS and CNR-ICVBC of Florence. HYPOGEA aimed to understand the conservation issues in relation with the microclimate of the hypogean environment and, least but not last, to plan the scheduled maintenance to ensure public accessibility of the Catacombs. The combined diagnostic approach and monitoring of the surface are based on petrographic evidence from stratigraphic investigation of mural painting samples, colorimetric measurements, FT-IR and XRD spectra, and surface morphology survey by digital photogrammetry in close range modality. The microclimate conditions of the environment (temperature, relative humidity, superficial temperature and CO2 concentration) have been monitored in the Cubicle of the Twelve Apostles chosen as test site of HYPOGEA. H2O-CO2 exchanges between air and painted surface, and related dissolution-precipitation reactions triggered by surface condensation of CO2-rich water, tend to alter the former structure of the painting and therefore add textural and stratigraphic features. The definition of a multi-technique protocol for environmental monitoring to observe and measure crystallization phenomena on the painted surfaces and its implementation in a real-world case study are among the main achievements of HYPOGEA.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
