Heritage Council

The Ni-Cu-Co mineralization in the Ringerike Municipality, Norway, is associated with a suite of magmatic intrusions occurring within the Eastern Kongsberg Complex (EKC). The complex formed during the Gothian Orogeny (1.6 - 1.5 Ga), and the most significant local Ni-Cu deposits are predominantly correlated with this magmatism (Orvik et al. 2025). Historically, nickel and copper were produced in this area until operations ceased in 1920 (Mathiesen & NGU, 1977).In recent years, both industry and academia have shown renewed interest in the region. Current publications have advanced the understanding of the tectonic evolution of the EKC, and its implications for mineral exploration (Orvik et al. 2025). Mansur et al. (2025) discussed the formation and constraints of the most significant past producers, the Ertelien and Langedalen deposits. However, other than several master theses, there has been little to no focus on the other magmatic intrusions hosting the mineralization; the mineralization itself; and the local structural framework and controls on fluid flow. The current license holder, Kuniko Limited, carried out a range of exploration activities and defined a mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Ni-Cu-Co Ertelien deposit (Kuniko Limited, 2024). The remaining magmatic intrusions received less attention, with large but disparate datasets being produced over the years.This PhD aims at utilizing the collected data, supported by field and laboratory work, to understand the structural regime across the region and increase the understanding of the controls on mineralization. The integration of the available data will be undergone by application of python-based machine learning to generate mineral prospectivity mapping model. This would allow the identification of exploration targets and the development of hypotheses, which could be then tested by state-of-the-art exploration techniques, significantly enhancing the exploration efforts within the region.References Orvik, A. A., Mansur, E. T., Henderson, I., Slagstad, T., Huyskens, M. & Bjerkgård, T., 2025. Isotopic identification of paleo rift zones within the Sveconorwegian Province; implications for nickel sulphide utilisations in the SW Fennoscandian Shield. Precambrian Research 427, 107836.Mansur, E., Orvik, A. A., Henderson, I., Miranda, A. C., Slagstad, T., Dare, S., Bjerkgard, T., Sandstad, J. S., 2025. Formation of the Ertelien and Langedalen magmatic Ni–Cu sulfide deposits in Norway: investigating the evolution of platinum-group-element-depleted systems at convergent margins. European Journal of Mineralogy 37, 841869Mathiesen, C. O. & The Geological Survey of Norway, 1977. Vurdering Av Ringerike Nikkelfelter. NGU-RAPPORT, 21.Kuniko Limited, 2024. ASX Release: Significant Mineral Resource Increase at Ertelien. https://kuniko.eu/asx-announcements/

This report on the development and problems of the marine intangible cultural heritage in Shanghai. The ICH culture has become more and more popular in recent years, so the sector has grown steadily. As a coastal city, Shanghai is at an advantageous geographical and economic location to develop marine ICH venues. However, the industry has a series of problems such as insufficient funds, lack of manpower and immaturity of the business model of the venues. This paper will analyze the current situation of the venues for marine intangible cultural heritage in Shanghai, point out the problems existing in the venues, and put forward countermeasures for reference to solve the problems and guide future development.

Three painted valuable wood sculptures from conventual collections in Apulia (Southern Italy), made between the beginning of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century, were studied to shed light on the pictorial materials and techniques of the Neapolitan Baroque sculpture in Southern Italy. A multi-analytical approach was implemented using integrated micro-invasive techniques, including polarized light microscopy (PLM) in ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) light, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (Py-GC/HRMS). The stratigraphic sequences were microscopically identified, and the pictorial layers were discriminated on the basis of optical features, elemental compositions, and mapping. Organic components were detected by FTIR as lipids and proteinaceous compounds for binders, while terpenic resins were detected as varnishes. Accordingly, PY-GC/HRMS identified siccative oils, animal glue, egg, and colophony. The results allowed the identification of the painting techniques used for the pictorial films and the ground preparation layers and supported the distinction between original and repainting layers. The results of this multi-analytical approach provide insights into Baroque wooden sculpture in Southern Italy and offers information to support restorers in conservation works.

Changes in wild berry species are increasingly being reported across North America, tied to climate change and associated environmental changes. This is likely to affect the people and animals who use wild berries. In this context, we examined the status of wild berries in a subarctic area of northern Canada (the Gwich'in Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada), between 1989 and 2024, through new and archive interviews with Gwich'in berry pickers. Results from these interviews showed high interannual variability in productivity and lower berry yields in years of hot and dry weather conditions. Knowledge holders identified climate change, overharvesting and improper harvesting, and local development as threats. Declines in the health of the land and the loss of traditional harvesting practices were also described. Changes in animal habits in relation to berries were not reported, but people’s relationships with berries do appear to be changing, reflecting settlement in communities, loss of traditional practices, cost of transportation, and shifts in berry productivity. In spite of these changes, knowledge holders felt that berry picking is an important activity for community members to engage in, permitting ongoing connection with the land, increased food security, and improved health.

Abstract. The 3D digital representations of physical objects are inevitably marked by gaps and imperfections arising from both technological limitations and contextual acquisition constraints. These shortcomings often necessitate manual or semi-automatic interventions, introducing elements of subjectivity into the modelling process. Despite the increasing use of 3D technologies across the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector, a standardised methodology for classifying and documenting mesh incompleteness is still lacking, undermining the transparency, reusability, and interoperability of such data. This paper addresses two core research questions: (RQ1) Which acquisition conditions can be identified as the main contributing factors to the occurrence of holes in 3D meshes? (RQ2) How can topological modifications resulting from the manual integration of holes in 3D cultural heritage models be automatically tracked and visualised? To address these questions, we propose a classification framework grounded in five case studies drawn from two digitisation campaigns conducted within the CHANGES project (Spoke 4). We further present a workflow for a post-hoc, method-agnostic identification approach for the automatic tracing and interactive visualisation of topological edits, implemented within a Web3D environment based on the ATON framework. Situated within a pipeline that adheres to FAIR principles, this methodology aims to enhance the interpretability and scholarly value of digital reconstructions by embedding provenance-aware metadata. Building on established approaches in critical architectural reconstruction, this work proposes a methodological extension tailored to the nuanced management of holes in cultural heritage 3D models.

This paper investigates the building techniques and related materials of some earthen constructions in Tirana and Kavaje in the framework of a scientific collaboration project between Italy and Albania. This architectural heritage is at significant risk of disappearing for many common reasons: the perception of poverty and unhealthy conditions it generates in most citizens, building speculation whereby earthen buildings are considered an obstacle to urban development, and a lack of specific laws to protect it. Furthermore, following the many earthquakes that hit Albania, the last one in 2019, the damaged earthen dwellings were replaced with fired bricks and reinforced concrete constructions. Several unprotected buildings in Kavaje and Tirana were thus studied to collect data and materials that could represent the last existing documentation. This manuscript analyses data relating to construction techniques, mineralogical and granulometric characterisation of the earthen materials constituting the bricks and mortars, and decay phenomena of the built heritage.

Sound, often an overlooked dimension in archaeological inquiry, profoundly shaped ancient life. This presentation introduces the ongoing Aural project, a novel interdisciplinary initiative investigating the intricate relationship between sonic phenomena and the spatial configuration of architectural structures in the ancient Mediterranean. Focusing on sacred spaces and performative areas, particularly rectilinear theatres in Greece and Italy, this research explores how architectural design and natural environments sculpted the auditory experience of religious and public life, encompassing music, recitations, and ambient sounds. We examine the reciprocal influence of ritual and performance on architectural evolution, aiming to understand the intentional sonic qualities of these spaces and their role in shaping religious experience and social interaction. Employing acoustic measurements, digital reconstructions, and insights from soundscape archaeology and sensory studies, Aural seeks to address fundamental questions regarding the sonic design of these sites and their impact on ancient auditory awareness. This presentation will highlight the project’s innovative methodology and its potential to yield new insights into the aural architecture of the past, offering a fresh perspective for future research in archaeoacoustics and digital heritage.

In this article, three recent graduates in book and paper conservation report on the value of graduate internships and advocate for more opportunities. They reflect on their personal experiences of internships at the British Library, Chester Beatty and Getty Research Institute. Results from a survey and questionnaire on graduate internships in the UK and Ireland between 2010 and 2020 are shared and discussed. In particular, the authors note a lack of longer-term recurring internship programmes. Four main aspects shared across the graduate internship experience are highlighted: projects, mentorship, continued professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration. Conscious integration of these elements within an internship structure increases learning potential. The authors conclude that there is an ongoing need for paid graduate internships as they are a key entry route for emerging conservators joining the profession and offer significant benefits to host institutions.

This chapter addresses the challenge of seeing beyond the motif. Based on a case study in the Mid North of South Australia, this chapter presents a new analytical framework for analyzing style in rock art and using stylistic characteristics to identify authorship. The framework can be customized to different sites and/or regions to provide more nuanced understandings of specific contact trajectories. The results of this study suggest that innovation in contact rock art initially occurs in a single aspect of style and that a sequencing of innovations may be able to provide a temporal succession for contact motifs. The wider value of this framework is that it provides a basis for developing regional or site-specific models of style that may help researchers obtain greater insight into the authorship of contact rock art in different parts of the world.