Tricarico Cathedral, dating back to 11th century, nowadays presents widespread damage. The elements which are most damaged and at risk of collapse are the piers of the nave. They consist of a square core surrounded by pilaster strips. Integrated diagnostic investigations have been carried out in order to characterize the structural instability phenomenon which causes the damage, thus providing information useful for restoration interventions. In particular, endoscopic investigations permitted to ascertain the lack of connection between the pilaster strips and the core. The stone has good properties, as verified through ultrasonic tests. Sonic tests and GPR investigations highlighted that the cores of a number of piers present velocities and reflections, respectively, which can be referred to fractures or voids. Moreover, GPR investigations highlighted reflections in the pilaster strips which are typical of a severe and widespread decay, in agreement with visual inspection. Porosity measures were carried out on core samples apparently undamaged, and on an individual sample macroscopically damaged. Measures of ambient vibrations provided the fundamental frequency of structures by the HVSR technique (Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio). The measures were carried out on the soil, the facade, the left aisle and the bell tower. The HVSR is interpreted comparing measures carried out in adjacent structures also with the aim to detect coupling phenomena (double resonance) between the eigenfrequencies of the structural macroelements and the soil.

Clay minerals often occur in the finishing layers covering the surface of historic and architectural artefacts. They may come from ochres intentionally applied or from atmospheric dust naturally deposited. In the first case the finishes could testify to treatments applied for the stone conservation and/or aesthetic purposes, whose study is of great interest in conservation activities.In this paper we report on the application of microdestructive analytical techniques in order to identify the presence and the origin of clay minerals found on the surfaces of several historic buildings located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). Optical and SEM observations, along with EDS microanalyses, and FTIR analyses were performed. The microdestructive character of these techniques made it possible to carry out theanalyses on the same specimen, thus reducing the sampling. XRD analyses were also performed to confirm the presence of clay minerals. The complementary analytical findings were helpful in most cases in establishing the real origin of the clay minerals; the detection of organic materials arising from man-made treatments allowed to identify clays as pigments. However, in some cases the uncertainty remained between ochre,intentionally employed, and soil-dust deposition.

Within the project restoration regarding the static improvement of the northern façade of the S.S. Annunziata Cathedral in Castro (Lecce), integrated geological and geophysical investigations were undertaken. The aims of the survey were to define the model of the local geological stratigraphy and to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of the ground hosting the foundation of Cathedral. Geophysical survey was performed used Ground Penetrating Radar integrated with seismic refraction tomography. Moreover both a direct investigation using continuous core boring and a hand excavation were performed in correspondence of the building foundations. The obtained results have allowed determining the typology of foundation and its depth with respect the living surface. In addition, the model of the local geo-stratigraphy was reconstructed, as well as, the geo-mechanical parameters of the litho-types conditioning the foundations structures were determined. Doubts remain on the direct correlation with to crack pattern observed on the Northern façade of the Cathedral.

This study deals with the application of two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (2D 1H NMR-R) to the characterization of porous ceramics nearly free of magnetic compounds. Different microstructural properties were obtained by firing a diamagnetic mixture of kaolin, calcium, and magnesium carbonate over a wide range of maximum temperatures (600-1100 C) and firing times at the maximum temperature (soaking times) (0-10 h). The 2D 1H NMR-R method relies on the correlated measurement of 1H longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of pore-filling water by which the properties of the interconnected pore space may be investigated. In the absence of significant magnetic susceptibility effect due to para- and ferro-magnetic compounds, the 2D 1 H NMR-R maps allow studying the conjoint effects on pore size distribution and inter-pore coupling due to the variations in both time and temperature of firing. The NMR experiments were performed with a low-field 1 H NMR sensor, which allows nondestructive and in situ analysis. For ceramic specimens fired at 600 and 700 C, the fraction of smallest pores increases with firing time at the expenses of those with intermediate size. The pore shrinkage occurring at this stage, and likely associated with the transformation of kaolinite in metakaolinite, is affected in a similar way by soaking time and firing temperature, in line with the concept of equivalent firing temperature. At temperatures from 800 to 1100 C, the structural modifications involving interconnectivity and average pore size are driven primarily by firing temperature and, secondarily, by soaking time. The 2D 1H NMR-R results are confirmed by more traditional, but destructive, mineralogical, and structural analyses like X-ray powder diffraction, helium pycnometry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption method.

The debate on graphic vandalism is recent in Italy and there are few comprehensive studies on this subject. The graffitism isnot only an aesthetic damage but a serious and irreversible degradation of the stone, by altering its state of preservation in airreversible way. This work approaches the graphic vandalism by following two routes: a) the micro analytical study of theinteraction of spray varnishes with some stone samples (obtained from Ragusa and Palazzolo (Sicily) lythothypes) and withreal stone samples (coming from historical buildings sited in Ortigia-Syracuse); b) the testing of the effectiveness andefficiency of some commercial products used to remove the varnish constituents from some stone specimens, by checking thepresence of residues onto the analyzed surfaces. In both cases, several micro analytical techniques were used.

According to the Protection Civil Department database, Apulia is the fourth region in Italy affected by sinkholes, due to collapse of natural or man-made cavities. The southern part of the region (the Salento peninsula) had hosted in the last twenty years at least fifteen events of sinkholes, the greatest part of which occurred inside "soft"carbonate rocks (calcarenites). The most catastrophic sinkhole, due to the presence of underground quarries, occurred at Gallipoli on 29 March 2007, when a collapse created a 12 x 18 m sinkhole which involved two 3 floors buildings. and 140 people were evacuated. In these cases, the usual approach of investigation of the area consist of geological survey supported by geophysical prospecting aimed to evaluate the real size of sinkhole crater and to predict its development over the time. In spite of the importance on the civil protection, the prediction of the sinkhole events is currently an hard issue, especially if they are related to caves of cultural interest as the case at hand, where are summarised questions of safety of people and cultural heritage.The "Poesia Piccola" cave, located at the Salento area of the Puglia region (southern Italy), has such features and it is the case study of this paper.The cave is an outstanding example of hypogean archaeological site morphologically in evolution and potentially dangerous for humans. It belongs to a karst system formed by dome-shaped caves, minor cavities and galleries. The system, named "Grotte della Poesia", is joined to the ground through vertical and horizontal entrances,respectively placed on a coastal plateau and along the contiguous cliff. This paper provides a new methodological approach on the evaluation of sinkhole hazard in such "soft" carbonate rocks combing geological, geophysical and mine engineering complementary methods, such as: geological analysis of outcrops and boreholes, aerophotogrammetric interpretation of aerial photos, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), seismic tomography, stability models to evaluation of ceiling caves.The research allows to define the geometrical caves shape (span, length and thickness of the crown pillars) which related to the geological features and physics properties of the rocks, determine the instability of the ceiling caves and, as a consequence, the sinkhole hazard.

In this contribution we show the results obtained in relationship with GPR and ultrasonic investigations carried out in the Crypt of the Holy Spirit in Monopoli. The exploitation of integrated techniques has allowed to have a meaningful insight of the presence of interesting buried anomalies under the floor and has provided important information about the state of preservation of the columns.

Lungo la fascia costiera della Puglia meridionale, sui versanti ionico e adriatico, affiorano svariate litologie calcarenitiche, appartenenti alla Formazione della Calcarenite di Gravina e a quella dei Depositi Marini Terrazzati. Esse hanno da sempre costituito fonte di approvvigionamento di rocce tenere largamente utilizzate nel patrimonio costruito dall'antichità fino a tempi molto recenti. Il sistema dei depositi calcarenitici costieri e delle cave in esso presenti rappresenta senza dubbio un insieme di geoarcheositi, all'interno dei quali, evidenze di importanza archeologica e storica si associano ad elementi di significato geologico e geomorfologico.I siti di Torre Ovo, Campomarino, Marina Serra, Porto Miggiano, Torre Santa Sabina, Torre Canne, Egnazia, San Vito di Polignano e Capitolo, considerati nel presente lavoro, rappresentano esempi significativi da salvaguardare e valorizzare per la molteplicità, la peculiarità e l'interesse degli elementi geomorfologici, geostratigrafici e archeologici che essi offrono per la comprensione dell' evoluzione del territorio negli ultimi due millenni.

The Petruzzelli Theatre in Bari (Southern Italy) is an important example of a nineteenth century "Politeama" (i.e. a venue intended for various forms of live entertainment) which was inaugurated in 1903. It was decorated with stucco elements, consisting of mouldings and decorations in greater or lesser relief present on the ceilings and walls, and on statues. In 1991 the Theatre was struck by a fire, which caused serious damage to the main auditorium, whose furnishings and roof were almost completely destroyed; the foyer was less badly affected, and a large part of the decorations (stucco, papier-mâché and wood) on the walls and ceilings remained apparently intact.On site examination by naked eye detected diverse forms of damage to the decorations ; both extensive blackening due to the presence of combustion deposits, and superficial "roasting", crumbling, cracks and separation of the stuccoes from the wall were observed in the areas affected by the flames. In contrast, in the areas furthest from the heart of the fire the damage appears to be basically due to the effect of high temperature fumes, with the presence of combustion deposits, underneath which the material seems intact.The present study aims at the characterization of the constituent materials and the painted surface decorations, as well as ascertaining the effects of the fire.It was carried out on the samples from the surviving parts of the stage-box decorations, directly affected by the fire, and on those present inside the foyer, affected by the fire to varying degrees. These stuccoes were compared with samples not affected by the fire, that were taken from rooms next to the Theatre.The composition and structure of the stuccoes and modifications related to the fire effect were investigated by Optical microscopy in transmitted and reflected light (LM) and ESEM, as well as by combined analytical techniques such as EDX DRX, FT-IR and DTA-TGA.The combined microscopic observations and analyses pointed out different types of stuccoes in terms of mineralogical-petrograhical composition. The effects of the fire action were identified in the formation of some new mineralogical phases, coming from the de-hydration of the gypsum binder, as well as from the mineral pigments used in the painted layers. Their presence allowed determining the different temperatures that were locally reached during the fire.Damage in the forms of microcracks affecting the stucco groundmass, detachments and melting of the superficial finishings were also observed, as well as micro-blisters likely due to the burning of the oil binder.

This paper reports a study of the effects of fire on the decorative stucco elements consisting of painted mouldings and decorations in the Petruzzelli Theatre in Bari (Southern Italy). The theatre was built at the end of the nineteenth century. In 1991 a fire caused serious damage to both materials and structure.Visible damage to the decorations included various deterioration patterns. The fire-related effects on both plaster and painted surface layers were subjected to in-depth investigation under laboratory conditions by focusing on mineralogical, chemical and microstructural alterations. Methods used included Optical Microscopy, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with X-ray microanalysis, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and simultaneous Thermogravimetry-Differential Scanning Calorimetry.De-hydration of the gypsum binder and oxidation of the iron compounds caused new mineralogical phases to form in the stucco plaster. In some cases, microscopic observation suggested that calcination of the lime binder may have occurred in thin layers under the surface. Significant microstructural modifications were detected in the form of cracks and microcracks, due to thermal shock and gypsum dehydration. Phase transformations affected the structural integrity and the colour properties of the stucco plaster to different extents, up to a maximum depth of around 2.5. cm, while fissuring due to thermal shock penetrated to greater depths.Fire-related damage in the surface paint consisted of colour changes and/or disruption of the painted layers due to thermally-induced chemical reactions involving mineral pigments; detachment and burning of the painted layers from the direct action of flames, as well as accumulation of combustion deposits on the surface were also observed.

Nell'ambito del progetto di restauro relativo al miglioramento statico della facciata nord della Cattedrale della SS Annunziata di Castro (Lecce), sono state condotte indagini geologiche e geofisiche integrate. Le finalità dell'indagine sono state quelle di definire il modello geologico della locale successione stratigrafica e di valutare le caratteristiche geotecniche del terreno che ospita le strutture di fondazione della Cattedrale.L'indagine geofisica è stata condotta usando la metodologia elettromagnetica impulsiva Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) integrata con il metodo sismico tomografico per rifrazione. Inoltre sia un'indagine diretta, utilizzando un sondaggio meccanico a carotaggio continuo, che uno scavo a piccola profondità sono stati eseguiti in corrispondenza delle fondazioni dell'edificio. I risultati ottenuti hanno permesso la determinazione della tipologia di fondazione e la sua profondità d'imposta rispetto alla superficie attuale di calpestio. E' stato quindi realizzato il modello geo-stratigrafico locale e determinati i parametri geomeccanici che condizionano le strutture di fondazione. Alcuni dubbi rimangono sulla correlazione diretta del modello con le lesioni osservate sulla facciata nord del Duomo.

In the sea off San Pietro in Bevagna, located 50km SE of Taranto (Southern Italy), was found a Roman cargo of marble sarcophagi, wrecked in the III century A.D. It lays on the bottom, in 3 to 6 m of water, 70 m off the beach and Chidro river mouth. The twenty white marble sarcophagi are unfinished artefacts. There are two different groups: ten sarcophagi are of rectangular form; the others are of the type called lenos, with round ends and projecting bosses, that could be carved as busts or lion heads. The sarcophagi are of large and small size. Both types of sarcophagi were attested in Roman imperial age. On the samples taken from lenoi and rectangular sarcophagi a mineralogical-petrographical study and determination of ?C13 and ?O18 isotopes were performed. The analytical data established that both types of sarcophagi are in dolomitic marble from Thasian quarries of Cape Vathy-Saliara.