OVERVIEW

The course gives an overview of the relationships between Botany and Cultural Heritage and highlights the importance for the study of biodeterioration. Moreover, plant materials and plants cultivated in historical Italian and Genoese gardens are illustrated and guiderlines for interpretationants of plants represented in art works are given. The course also teaches elements of general Biology, Ecology and General and Systematic Botany useful for the learning of specific parts of the course. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to give an overview of all the relationships that Botany, in its various aspects, has with Cultural Heritage whether they are artistic, archaeological or archives. The importance of the application of botany to Cultural Heritage for the prevention of biodeterioration is highlighted, for the recognition of plant materials used in works of art and of plants cultivated in historical Italian and Genoese gardens in particular (especially concerning the introduction of plants from other continents) and for the contribution that this knowledge can give to the interpretation of the works of art.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to:

provide an overview of all the relationships that Botany and Mycology have with Cultural Heritage, be it artistic, archaeological, archival, literary, etc. highlighting the importance of botanical and applied mycological disciplines from the point of view of biodeterioration and prevention of biological damage; of the recognition of plant materials used; of the recognition of plants cultivated in historical Italian and Genoese gardens (with particular reference to the introduction of cultivated plants from other continents); of the recognition of plants and fungi depicted in works of art and for the contribution these can make to the interpretation of the work itself
to provide the basic notions of Plant Ecology, Botany and General and Systematic Mycology useful for the acquisition of scientific terminology adequate for learning the more specific parts;
to provide students with the lexical and content knowledge necessary for understanding scientific works of Botany and Mycology applied to the various fields of Cultural Heritage
stimulate the student's interest and curiosity for the plant and fungal world, in particular for those aspects that are closely related to the conservation and enhancement of Cultural Heritage.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of lectures and practical activities, delivered through multimedia presentations. Class attendance is highly recommended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Definition of the subject and examination of the main fields of application of Botany and Mycology to Cultural Heritage. Elements of Plant Biology: cell organisation, chemical composition of cells, cell metabolism, classification of living organisms according to trophic type. Main differences between animal, plant and fungal cells. Outlines of Botany and Systematic Mycology. Basic characteristics of the main plant and fungal groups. Structural, functional and ecological characteristics of the main biodeteriogens: Prokaryotes; Algae; Fungi; Lichens (or lichen fungi); Terrestrial plants or Embryophytes (Bryophytes. Pteridophytes; Gymnosperms; Angiosperms) - Fundamental characters of the vegetative and reproductive apparatus of the various systematic groups especially in relation to the determination, recognition and evaluation of biodeteriogenic potential. Main characters useful for the recognition of Angiosperms. Hints of Ecology: plant, microbial and fungal communities: functional and dynamic aspects. The limiting factors: Water, Light. Temperature. Nutrients. Pollutants, Climatic factors (Microclimate, Macroclimate); Adaptations.

Biodeterioration of cultural heritage; General mechanisms of biodeterioration processes. Phenomenology of Biodeterioration. Ecology of biodeterioration; Ecological factors and their connections with biodeterioration.

Tracheophytes hazard index for the assessment of biodeterioration of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage. Parameters taken into consideration for the calculation of the hazard index (IP)
Biodeterioration processes in relation to the materials of cultural heritage (organic, inorganic, composite materials) Biodeterioration problems in relation to the type of environment (confined, outdoor and semi-confined environments, etc.). in relation to geographical and climatic contexts.
Conservation of cultural heritage; prevention of biodeterioration; guidelines in preventive conservation. The control of biodeterioration and bioremediation, physical methods chemical methods, biological methods.

Knowledge and valorisation of cultural and environmental heritage. The recognition of plant materials of archaeological and historical-artistic interest. Wood: morphological and anatomical characteristics useful for the recognition of wood used in artefacts; annual circles, homoxylous and heteroxylous wood. Frequently used woods. Dendrochronology for dating and studying wooden artefacts. Fibres of plant origin.

The Historical Garden. Historical gardens - Knowledge and conservation of historical parks and gardens, botanical gardens and nature museums. Historical background. The ancient garden: Egyptian gardens, Babylonian gardens, gardens in ancient Greece, gardens in ancient Rome. The medieval garden: monastic and curtense gardens, the Islamic garden, (hortus conclusus). The garden from the Renaissance to the 18th century: the formal Italian garden, the mannerist and baroque garden, the French garden, the romantic or English garden, the 19th century garden, 20th century and contemporary gardens. Botanical Gardens. Emphasis is placed on the plants cultivated in gardens in the various historical periods and the sources from which this information is derived. The plants most commonly cultivated in the Renaissance garden (border plants, flowering plants, ornamental and fruit trees, plants from the garden of simples and the secret garden).

Plants in works of art and problems relating to their recognition. Phytoeconography and phytoeconology for the recognition and interpretation of artistic representations.
The analysis of plant and fungal iconography in archaeology and art; the contribution of botany and mycology for the recognition of species in paintings and sculptures of archaeological and historical-artistic interest and for the interpretation of the meaning of the representation itself. Methodologies, case studies

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The multimedia teaching material used by the teacher during the lectures and practical activities will be available on AulaWeb at the end of the cycle of lectures / laboratory exercises.

The texts listed below are supporting texts and are available at the library of Scuola di Scienze M.F.N:

Caneva G., Nugari M. P., Salvadori O., 2005 - La biologia vegetale per i beni culturali [volume I] Biodeterioramento e conservazione. Nardini Editore
Caneva G., Nugari M. P., Salvadori O., 2005 - La biologia vegetale per i beni culturali [volume II] Conoscenza e Valorizzazione. Nardini Editore

Generally, notes taken during lectures, the provided teaching materials, and the recommended textbook are sufficient for exam preparation.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Refer to the detailed timetable below link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will be oral with questions on various topics of the syllabus and analysis and description of images in order to ascertain an adequate preparation of the candidate.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination will take place in oral form, with questions on various topics in order to ascertain the candidate's adequate preparation.

The oral examination aims to test the candidate's knowledge of the subject matter and the various applications of botany and mycology to cultural heritage both in terms of biodeterioration and conservation and enhancement.  

The assessment parameters will take into account the quality of exposition, the correct use of specialist vocabulary and the ability to reason and correlate the topics studied.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance at lectures and tutorials is strongly recommended, especially in view of the fact that very often the curriculum of students taking this degree does not include topics in biology, plant systematics and ecology.