Geophysics and cultural heritage: a living field of research for Italian geophysicists

Geophysical methods for archaeological exploration, in Italy, date back to the Fifties with the pioneering work of Fondazione Lerici, and still many surveys are carried out to find new sites or to plan the future activity in an open archaeological excavation. The conservation of the cultural heritage, art, crafts or buildings, involves constant restoration works. High resolution geophysics and micro geophysics techniques may contribute to facilitate the restoration of artworks or historical building elements. With respect to the management of a museum, micro geophysics techniques can contribute to evaluating the possibility and the precautions that have to be taken when moving artefacts either for a museum reorganization or for temporarily lending a masterpiece to an exhibition.