In archaeology, applied geophysics helps to discover new findings of our hiden cultural heritage. However, these methods have been particularly developed in terrestrial environments, leaving the shallow marine ones almost unexplored. This paper examines the effectiveness of Multichannel Analysis Surface Waves (MASW) and Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) οn imaging submerged and buried antiquities in a very shallow marine environment. For this purpose, synthetic seismic data sets were created to examine the optimum parameters for the most efficient visualization and interpretation of shallow underwater buried man made targets. The modeling results outlined that targets wider than 0.5m are reconstructed both with the SRT and the MASW methods, provided that they are buried close to the sea bottom. In addition, short spread of the receivers with the MASW provided the most satisfactory outcome concerning the location of the submerged targets. In general the modeling results are quite encouraging and together with the succesfull application of MASW method in real data can form the basis for establishing the applicability of these geophysical methods in mapping submerged archaeological structures in shallow water environments.

A preliminary study on the protective effect of nanostructured materials developed for the conservation of fresco paintings sited in high humidity environments is here reported. The study has been performed on mock-up samples prepared on the base of a non-invasive investigation performed on the frescos of the complex St. Mary of the Cave in Marsala (Trapani, Italy). The mock-up samples simulate both the stone support and the mortar preparation as well as the fresco painted with the same kind of pigments found in two of fresco paintings. Some nanostructured materials such as nano-sized fluorosilanes in water, nanosilica in water, nanolime and their mixtures have been tested evaluating the effect on the colour appearance and on surface properties.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are a relatively new class of unconventional green solvents. They are obtained by mixing two or more components, a hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), which form a liquid at room temperature due to their lower melting point compared to the starting materials. DESs are characterized by their low toxicity, high environmental compatibility, non flammability, and non-volatility. While DESs have found applications in various fields such as organometallic chemistry and pharmaceutical production, their potential use in restoration of cultural heritage has not been explored until now. This research project aims to synthesize DESs and investigate their effectiveness as green products for restoration practices.
The results obtained from the first case studies highlight the promising use of DESs as green solvents and biocides, able to effectively removing the products of alteration and degradation of Cultural Heritage.

The presence of water in masonry, especially in confined spaces, is one of the most important causes of deterioration of stone building materials. If water is present, particularly rising damp, degradation processes such as loss of surface material, encrustations, micro-cracks, salt efflorescences, etc., may arise and be intensified. Treatment against these phenomena is therefore strongly recommended for the protection and conservation of ornamental materials and buildings in general, before their restoration. In the present work, a multi-analytical approach was employed to study the stone materials and determine their state of conservation in the washbasin of the sacristy of the Church of San Domenico in Cosenza. The results allowed us to reveal details not visible to the naked eye that was important to conduct its conservation intervention. As for the state of conservation, the integrated use of various techniques enabled the detection of phenomena generally correlated with the occurrence of water infiltration and migration which appear to affect a large part of the area in which the asset is located, causing noticeable damage. Results concerning the cleaning, consolidating, and protective treatments on the artifact are also presented.

A large number of ground stone tools have been unearthed in the archaic Messapian settlements of San Vito dei Normanni - Castello d Alceste (Brindisi) and Cavallino (Lecce), in southern Puglia. The questions raised by these tools concern exploitation of food resources and distribution of productive activities within the settlements. First results of phytolith analyses conducted on ten grinding tools are presented. Quantitative and morphological analysis aimed at estimating the amount of phytoliths in the sediment, but also at identifying the types of plants used in the sites. Phytoliths indicated the nature of the vegetal processed matter, including cereals plants used for human and animal nutrition. Together with those from the analysis of organic residues already conducted at the sites these results contribute to the understanding of the food processing and dietary practices of the archaic Messapic populations.