Agenda

21 May 2025 11:00

SMarT4BioArCH: a project for the recovery and study of ancient starch from archaeological artefacts

Aula Epsilon 3, Edificio EPSILON - Campus Scientifico via Torino e online

Speakers:
Giusi Sorrentino, Assegnista di ricerca (PRIN22 SMarT4BioArCH), Dept. DAIS, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia
Francesca Porpora, Assegnista di ricerca (PRIN22 SMarT4BioArCH), Dept. DICUS, Università degli Studi di Firenze

Link Zoom: https://unive.zoom.us/j/8723813024?pwd=JWFJTMRsjrQ5Ot0G56zUOSHFhaGRbH.1&omn=89956638734
Meeting ID: 872 381 3024
Passcode: urvc10

Abstract:
The recovery and analysis of starch grains from archaeological contexts— including from ground stone tools—are key to reconstructing artifact use-histories and, consequently, gaining insight into ancient human behaviours, particularly their relationship with plants. As part of the SMarT4BioArCH project, we are developing innovative smart materials that act as reversible adsorbents, capturing and releasing residues from archaeological stone artifacts. These minimally invasive materials aim to improve the recovery of biogenic residues such as starch, enabling robust analyses to support archaeological interpretation.

Bio Sketchs:
Giusi Sorrentino received her Master’s degree from the University of Pisa, where she focused her study in Archaeometry, Cypriot and Aegean prehistoric archaeology. Contemporaneously as research assistant at “The Cyprus Institute - STARC”, she worked on the non-destructive analysis of archaeological materials and methodological approaches to the study of ancient artefacts. Within the framework of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhD program “Technologies for Cultural Heritage” at the University of Turin, she developed a multi-scale approach for the study of Upper Palaeolithic ground stone tools. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice where she is part of the PRIN project SMarT4BioArCH research team.

Francesca Porpora received a PhD in Chemical Sciences (curriculum: Sciences Applied to Cultural Heritage Conservation) in 2024 from the University of Florence, with a dissertation titled “Development of a methodology for the treatment of cellulose acetate media of historical-artistic interest with a focus on those affected by the 'vinegar syndrome’ ”. During her PhD program, she was a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University (Washington D.C.) under the supervision of Professor Richard Weiss. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Florence and a member of the research team for the PRIN project SMarT4BioArCH. Her research interest and expertise lie in the synthesis and characterization of innovative materials for the conservation of Cultural Heritage, with a specific focus on the cleaning of works of art, VOCs absorption, consolidation of archaeological bones and the preservation of motion picture films and photographic materials.

Language

The event will be held in Italian

Organized by

prof.ssa Elena Badetti (PRIN22 SMarT4BioArCH Responsabile Scientifico UNIVE), prof.ssa Francesca Izzo (Ciclo seminari "Spring Talks" per il corso LM in Conservation Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage"), DAIS

Link

https://sites.google.com/view/smart4bioarchprin/home

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