Several scholars and ancient sources highlight the communicative functions of images in the ancient Roman architecture, including plant-based motifs. Among them, Corinthian capitals, usually considered overall a stylistic character, are associated mostly with the Acanthus leaves. Indeed, further neglected plants still need a more precise identification. This paper aims to carry out a systematic analysis of their botanical comp...

Cultivated terraces are outstanding modifications of mountains and hills to obtain arable land. These terraced agricultural systems are widespread traditional landscapes within the Mediterranean area. The cultivated terraces of the Amalfi Coast (Southern Italy) are outstanding examples of cultural landscapes, and they represent one of the key descriptors of the UNESCO Site. Terraces have characterized the landscape of the Amal...

Summary The inventory of microorganisms responsible for biological deterioration of ancient paintings has become an integral part of restoration activities. Here, the microbial agent of rosy discoloration on medieval frescoes in the Crypt of the Original Sin (Matera, Italy) was investigated by a combination of microscopic, molecular and spectroscopic approaches. The bacterial community from three rosy‐discoloured painting site...