Preventive and predictive actions for the conservation of archaeological and monumental heritage
The Future of the Archeology. The pilot project “Predictive monitoring system for the conservation of archaeological sites and monumental buildings” is funded by the Ministry of Culture – MiC. Study day, Friday, June 5, Convento di Santa Chiara.
June 3, 2026
The archaeological and monumental heritage that characterizes the Italian territory constitutes a testimony of universal value to the history and cultural identity of our country, but at the same time it represents a particularly vulnerable legacy, exposed to the combined effects of material aging, environmental and anthropogenic stresses, as well as natural risks affecting the Mediterranean Area.
The conservation of this heritage cannot today disregard the adoption of preventive and predictive approaches, capable of intercepting deterioration phenomena in their initial stages and of supporting, on an objective basis, decisions on protection and intervention.
In this direction lies the pilot project “Predictive monitoring system for the conservation of archaeological sites and monumental buildings”, promoted by the Central Institute for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage – Digital Library of the Ministry of Culture, within which the study day is included “The Future of Archaeology“, scheduled Friday, June 5, at 11:00 a.m., a Bari, historic center, at the Chiostro of the Convent of Santa Chiara (at Via Pier L’Eremita, 25/b).
The study day, curated by the Polytechnic University of Bari (scientific coordinator, Prof. Dora Foti, Department ARCOD), arises from the awareness that the safeguarding of historic built heritage requires a paradigm shift, from the traditional model of ex post intervention in response to events to data-informed management, based on the integration of in-depth knowledge of the artifact, digital technologies, and Structural Health Monitoring systems for the continuous control of its behavior.
The day will be divided into four scientific sessions, with presentations aimed at exploring the most advanced digital methodologies for the preventive safeguarding of archaeological and monumental heritage. Particular attention will be devoted to surveying and non-destructive diagnostic techniques, data management and querying tools, as well as structural monitoring strategies aimed at more effective protection of historic architecture.
A dedicated space will be reserved for the presentation of the results of the pilot project “Predictive monitoring system for the conservation of archaeological sites and monumental buildings”, funded by the Ministry of Culture, concerning the application of a structural monitoring system to the complex of the Female Baths of Pompeii, a paradigmatic case study for the complexity of conservation issues. Continuing education credits for engineers and architects are provided by their respective professional associations.
Programme. hours 11:00. Metropolitan City Superintendent of Bari – Dr. F.R. Paolillo, Director of the Swabian Castle of Bari-Regional Directorate of National Museums of Apulia and Acting Superintendent BAT-FG – Arch. Anita Guarnieri. Rector of the Politecnico di Bari – Prof. Ing. U. Fratino. Director General of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii – Dott. G. Zuchtriegel. Director General for Digitization and Communication MiC. Dott. A. De Pasquale. President of the Order of Engineers of Bari – Ing. C. Contesi. President of the Order of Engineers of Naples – Prof. Ing. A. Prota. President of the Order of Architects of Bari – Arch. C.D. Mastronardi . National President of A.I.D.I.A. Arch. A. Vella. Director of the ArCoD Department – Prof. Arch. F. Defilippis
12:00 Session I. Dora Foti – Polytechnic University of Bari – “Identification of the dynamic behavior of non-structural walls in antiquity: the case of Pompeii”. Giuliano Romalli – Central Institute for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage – Digital Library – “Digital Library and the creation of Ecomic. A national ecosystem for the protection, enjoyment and enhancement of cultural heritage”. Francesca Romana Paolillo, Caterina Annese, Elena Dellù – Superintendency of the Metropolitan City of Bari –“The activities of the ABAP Superintendency for the metropolitan city of Bari: multidisciplinary and experimental methodologies for the protection and conservation monitoring of the archaeological heritage of the territory. “Anita Guarnieri, Savino Gallo, Annalinda Iacoviello – Swabian Castle of Bari – Regional Directorate of National Museums of Puglia and Superintendency BAT-FG – “Protection and enhancement: ongoing projects curated by the Swabian Castle of Bari, DRMN Puglia and the ABAP BAT-FG Superintendency“
14:30 | Session II. Luigi Oliva – Central Institute for Restoration, MiC – “Research pathways of the ICR in the conservation of archaeological heritage”. Arianna Traviglia – Center for Cultural Heritage Technology – ITT Venice – “From robotics to structural monitoring: new technologies for the protection of archaeological sites”. Alessandra Zambrano – Head of R&I, Archaeological Park of Pompeii, MiC – “R&I for the conservation of archaeological sites: the Pompeii experience”
15:30 | Session III. Francesca Ceroni – University of Naples “Parthenope” – “Vulnerability to out-of-plane mechanisms of wall elements in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii”. Lorenza Petrini – Polytechnic University of Milan – “Towards an integrated approach to diagnostics and structural analysis: the case of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii”. Stefano Podestà – University of Genoa – “The coverings of archaeological sites: the case study of the archaeological site of Villa Arianna in Castellamare di Stabia – Archaeological Park of Pompeii”
16:30 | Session IV. Gian Piero Lignola – University of Naples “Federico II” – “Innovative structural solutions in the archaeological area of Pompeii.”. Giacomo Martines – Polytechnic University of Bari -“The preventive safeguarding of Cultural Heritage from conservation theory to the potential offered by predictive technologies”. Michele Antonicelli – Planetek Italia -“Satellite monitoring for the safeguarding of historical and cultural heritage”.
The article Preventive and predictive actions for the conservation of archaeological and monumental heritage comes from Poliba Chronicle.