Publications
Monitorare per conservare: il caso della Torre Ghirlandina di Modena
A counterintuitive decrease in the tilt of Modena’s leaning Ghirlandina Tower following the 2012 Emilia earthquakes challenges conventional seismic response models and underscores the value of long-term structural monitoring for UNESCO-listed heritage sites. The study, which analyzed real-time data from recent seismic events, demonstrates how observational methods—borrowed from geotechnical engineering—can guide conservation strategies without invasive interventions. This approach aligns with the principle of minimal intervention while addressing the complexities of buildings with layered historical stratifications. The findings highlight the need for adaptive monitoring frameworks to safeguard cultural heritage against seismic risks.
Structural Fire Risk for Heritage Buildings by the Performance-Based Engineering Format
A novel probabilistic framework for assessing fire risk in heritage buildings, exemplified by the Duomo of Modena Cathedral, reveals that structural damage to wooden roofs can be quantified with precision using performance-based engineering methods. The study employs event-tree analysis, numerical thermo-fluid dynamics models, and advanced nonlinear finite element simulations to evaluate fire dynamics and structural behavior. Results, expressed as risk curves for fixed return periods, demonstrate how different damage levels may occur probabilistically, offering a compatible approach with established hazard assessment frameworks like those for earthquakes. This method addresses unique challenges in applying fire risk analysis to heritage structures, providing a robust tool for conservation planning.
A Chronology of Ancient Earthquake Damage in the Modena Cathedral (Italy): Integrated Dating of Mortars (14C, Pollen Record) and Bricks (TL)
Researchers have uncovered a detailed chronology of earthquake damage in the Modena Cathedral by analyzing the dating of mortars and bricks. The study reveals that the cathedral's 15th-century cross-vaults were constructed using lime mortar binding reused Roman and medieval bricks, with subsequent repairs linked to earthquakes in the 16th and 17th centuries. Gypsum mortars were used for extensive rebuilding and repairs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The integrated approach, combining radiocarbon dating (14C), thermoluminescence (TL) dating of bricks, and pollen records from mortars, provides a precise timeline of construction and restoration. This methodology not only sheds light on the cathedral's history but also offers critical insights for earthquake risk assessment and preservation strategies for ancient structures.
The “Hermaphrodite” of Modena
A previously overlooked eleventh-century sculpture from Modena Cathedral, known as the 'Hermaphrodite' or Potta di Modena, challenges long-held assumptions about premodern perceptions of intersex individuals. Contrary to sixteenth-century accounts that labeled it obscene, the original work likely celebrated anatomical ambiguity as a marvel of God's creation. This study reveals a nuanced historical perspective on sexuality and identity, contradicting Michel Foucault’s assertions about premodern views on intersexuation. By analyzing the sculpture’s restoration history and contemporary scholarly debates, researchers highlight the need for further investigation into the visibility of intersex people and their agency outside traditional frameworks.
Integrated Dating of the Construction and Restoration of the Modena Cathedral Vaults (Northern Italy): Preliminary Results
Preliminary research on the Modena Cathedral vaults reveals significantly more earthquake damage than previously documented, with evidence of repairs dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The study used radiocarbon (14C), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) dating techniques to analyze building materials, uncovering that medieval bricks were reused in the cathedral's original 15th-century construction. Notably, lime mortar was employed for early repairs following seismic events, while gypsum mortar was introduced in the 18th century. This integrated approach not only clarifies the cathedral's construction timeline but also provides new insights into its restoration history and the impact of earthquakes on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The geography of death
The study reveals that the Attonid dynasty, including figures like Bonifacio, Beatrice, and Matilda, strategically dispersed their tombs across Italy to assert power, intertwining burial sites with the cults of saints housed in churches they reconstructed. Unlike typical noble practices, this 'geography of death' involved reusing Roman sarcophagi for burials, a trend observed during the 11th century around cathedrals like those in Modena and Pisa. Matilda's remains, initially buried in San Benedetto Po, were later moved to Rome, where she was beatified. The research highlights how burial practices and saint veneration overlapped, reflecting complex social and political dynamics.
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