Mauro Bernabei

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Papers by Mauro Bernabei

The Virgin Enthroned with Child: Dating, attribution, and historical reconstruction of a Flemish masterpiece

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Multidisciplinary analyses on the 11th-12th century bronze doors of San Marco, Venice

PLOS ONE

Two 11th- and 12th-century entrance doors from the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, made of diffe... more Two 11th- and 12th-century entrance doors from the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, made of different copper alloys and woods, were non-invasively examined in situ. The chemical composition of the metals, the way in which different metal parts were joined together, the tree species used to construct the supporting structures and the age of the wood are determined. A portable ED-XRF instrument and optical microscopes were used. The doors were also photographed to produce high-resolution orthophotos and 3D models. The metal parts of the doors were made of leaded tin-bronze and quaternary Cu-Sn-Zn-Pb alloys and were mounted on a wooden multi-layer structure of larch and silver fir; the dendrochronological dates of some of the larch boards are 1965, teminus post quem.

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Dendrochronological evidence for long-distance timber trading in the Roman Empire

PLOS ONE, 2019

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Observations on Holocene subfossil tree remains from high-elevation sites in the Italian Alps

The Holocene, 2018

Subfossil tree remains from 38 high-elevation sites in the eastern Alps, which were mostly locate... more Subfossil tree remains from 38 high-elevation sites in the eastern Alps, which were mostly located in the province of Trentino, Italy, were dendrochronologically analysed. A total of 909 samples were collected, 497 of which were dated to calendar years through dendrochronology and separated into six groups. A further tree-ring series of 20 samples were cross-dated into two groups and their ages established by means of radiocarbon dating. The new Trentino Chronology that was established on the basis of these samples covers more than 80% of the last ca. 11,500 years. The uneven distribution of wood samples through time is most likely caused by different factors, for example, climatic and anthropogenic factors. According to our observations, the trees fell at the sites where they were found. The tree-ring series show that trees often died after a period of pronounced growth decline, for example, as a consequence of variations in groundwater levels. A comparison of the Holocene sample d...

Climate Factors And Shepherds’ Graffiti In Northern Italy: an Investigation Through Dendrochronology

Human Ecology, 2016

Thousands of shepherds’ inscriptions can be found on the limestone cliffs of the south-facing slo... more Thousands of shepherds’ inscriptions can be found on the limestone cliffs of the south-facing slopes of Mount Cornón in Northern Italy, at altitudes between 1200 and 2000 meters. These were made between the 1650s and the 1950s by local goat keepers and sheep tenders who used the local transhumance trails. Inscriptions included dates, signatures, initials, family symbols, herd accountancies, pictographs, sacred symbols, dedications and greetings. This study analysed the climate factors that influenced the writing frequency through a dendroclimatological survey of the trees growing in the same area. The influence of climate on writing frequency is irregular, as there appear to be interspersed periods when other factors of social or political nature become predominant. Comparison of writing frequency and tree ring series between 1639-2006 shows periods of correlations for spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), whereas no relationship exists with stone pine (Pinus cembra) or larch (Larix decidua). In general, mean summer and autumnal temperatures were the most influential climatic factors, suggesting that long warm seasons determined the greatest writing frequency.

Inside the Dogon Masks: The Selection of Woods for Ritual Objects

IAWA Journal, 2016

At the foot of the Bandiagara cliffs in Mali lives one of the most studied and yet most mysteriou... more At the foot of the Bandiagara cliffs in Mali lives one of the most studied and yet most mysterious ethnic groups of West Africa, the Dogon. According to their religion, masks have a key role in traditional rites, since they are the link between the earthly and the divine. The production and maintenance of such important tools have precise rules handed down by the Dogon secret society called Awa. Fifteen traditional Dogon masks were studied to ascertain the wood species selected to carve them. The analysis shows the occasional use of marula (Sclerocarya birrea, 3 masks) and African grape (Lannea spec., 2 masks) and a preference for ceiba (Ceiba pentandra, 10 masks), a tree revered as sacred by the Dogon. The results suggest potential implications concerning the use of trees and woods in Dogon tradition.

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Dreidimensionale Modellierung der Gr��e und Lage von Harzgallen im Fichtenstamm

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 2007

Juvenile wood in conifers: state of knowledge

Juvenile wood is the result of the cambiun1 activity in immature stage. In a same tree, anatomy, ... more Juvenile wood is the result of the cambiun1 activity in immature stage. In a same tree, anatomy, density, moisture content and some other physical and mechanical characteristics are often different between juvenile and mature wood. This can involve remarkable implications regarding the end-uses, processing and pulp and paper uses. Then, the juvenile wood is a relevant indicator of the wood quality. Even though juvenile wood has been studied for a long time abroad, few studies are available in Italia. This work reports the knowledge on the conifers juvenile wood.

Structural diagnosis on ancient timber structures: the example of the Diplomatic Room at the Royal Palace in Naples

Three-dimensional spiral grain pattern in five large Norway spruce stems

Silva Fennica, 2009

There is a great deal of interest involved in investigating and understanding grain angle in tree... more There is a great deal of interest involved in investigating and understanding grain angle in trees. The objective of the study presented in this paper has been to identify a joint, three-dimensional model for grain angle in stems of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) Five large spruce trees were sampled. Transverse disks were extracted at regular intervals along the stem, split through the pith with a blunt knife, and observed for grain angle and cambial age along the north radius, setting pith observation to zero angle. The overall finding confirmed grain pattern congruent to distance from pith along the stem, a pattern that varies from tree to tree. Models expressing distance from the pith in cambial age performed slightly better than models in spatial distance. Grain pattern changed slightly along the stem, and this change was found to be consistent for the five stems: the left-handed grain angle in the juvenile wood was more pronounced upwards in the stem, and the angle cha...

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A dendrochronological investigation of stringed instruments from the collection of the Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, Italy

Journal of Archaeological Science, 2010

A total of forty-nine stringed instruments of the Conservatory Cherubini collection, at the Music... more A total of forty-nine stringed instruments of the Conservatory Cherubini collection, at the Musical Instruments Department of the Accademia Gallery in Florence, were submitted to a dendrochronological investigation in order to date them, check the validity of their attribution and to find out more about their construction characteristics. Thirty-seven instruments were successfully dated, thereby determining the terminus post quem date

Distinguishing root- and stem-wood of Picea Abies

IAWA Journal, 2011

In archaeology, palaeobotany and dendrochronology, it can be important to distinguish between roo... more In archaeology, palaeobotany and dendrochronology, it can be important to distinguish between root- and stem-wood. Although numerous studies have described the root-wood of various species in great detail, there is, as yet, no quick and generally accepted wood anatomy-based method to distinguish Norway spruce root- from stem-wood. This study compared the anatomical characteristics of Norway spruce root- and stem-wood, and found it was possible to distinguish these two parts of the tree by differences in the average number of rows of ray tracheids as viewed in radial section, and in the frequency of rays per mm2 as viewed in tangential section. The reliability of these criteria was verified in a double-blind trial. Finally, a cross-comparison between Norway spruce and European larch root- and stem-wood characteristics was carried out, and it was determined that spruce root-wood can be distinguished from larch stem- or root-wood.

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Density variations in spruce wood with indented rings ( Picea abies Karst)

Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff, 2003

A Guarneri violin in the attic: the power of dendrochronology for analysing musical instruments

Heritage Science, 2021

Dendrochronology is the science that dates wooden artefacts by measuring annual growth rings visi... more Dendrochronology is the science that dates wooden artefacts by measuring annual growth rings visible in the wood. And, in the case of musical instruments, the method is non-invasive. In addition, dendrochronology can also help to identify the wood’s provenance and to supply information on how the soundboard was made, giving details of ring width and regularity. This study also demonstrates the effectiveness of dendrochronology in attributing a musical instrument to an important luthier. It deals with a privately owned violin, whose date and origin had previously remained uncertain, despite various attempts to authenticate, at least, its technical and stylistic characteristics. The outermost tree-ring of the instrument’s soundboard was dendrochronologically dated to the year 1696 and attributed, with certainty, to the Italian luthier Giuseppe Guarneri filius Andreae, father of the famous Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri "del Gesù". Thanks to dendrochronology, in this way, a twi...

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Tree-Ring Analysis on Wooden Artifacts

Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials for Diagnostic, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

Abstract Wood has been used by mankind since prehistory; therefore the presence of wood in cultur... more Abstract Wood has been used by mankind since prehistory; therefore the presence of wood in cultural heritage is huge. The dendrochronological dating is considered one of the principal techniques for the study of wood of historical and architectural interest. When the traces left by the history make a correct reading of the context impossible, the results given by dendrochronology are often the only certain data useful as a reference. Wood species identification and tree-ring analysis allow far more than just dating: often it is possible to identify the provenance of the woods, closely studying some technical aspects, detecting major or minor interventions of restoration, substitution, and reuse, and, in some fields of study, verifying the attribution of the artifact to a certain artist or school. The power of dendrochronology is based on the rigorous scientific approach and the complete independence from other stylistic or historical considerations.

Supplemental_data – Supplemental material for Observations on Holocene subfossil tree remains from high-elevation sites in the Italian Alps

Supplemental material, Supplemental_data for Observations on Holocene subfossil tree remains from... more

Dendrochronological analysis of the library (Sala Vaccarini) and sacristy of the S. Nicolò l'Arena Monastery, Catania, Italy

A dendrochronological analysis of wooden structures of the Library and the Sacristy of the Benedi... more A dendrochronological analysis of wooden structures of the Library and the Sacristy of the Benedictine Monastery San Nicolò l&amp;amp;amp;#39;Arena of Catania (Italy) has been carried out. Some of the parts of both the Library&amp;amp;amp;#39;s and Sacristy&amp;amp;amp;#39;s shelving are made in walnut, while the internal parts and the paving are made of fir. The wood shows clear signs of usage due to the effects of light and trampling due to the low durability of fir. Termite attack is also clearly visible.

Regional Patterns of Late Medieval and Early Modern European Building Activity Revealed by Felling Dates

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2022

Although variations in building activity are a useful indicator of societal well-being and demogr... more Although variations in building activity are a useful indicator of societal well-being and demographic development, historical datasets for larger regions and longer periods are still rare. Here, we present 54,045 annually precise dendrochronological felling dates from historical construction timber from across most of Europe between 1250 and 1699 CE to infer variations in building activity. We use geostatistical techniques to compare spatiotemporal dynamics in past European building activity against independent demographic, economic, social and climatic data. We show that the felling dates capture major geographical patterns of demographic trends, especially in regions with dense data coverage. A particularly strong negative association is found between grain prices and the number of felling dates. In addition, a significant positive association is found between the number of felling dates and mining activity. These strong associations, with well-known macro-economic indicators fro...

Three-Dimensional Spiral Grain Pattern

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Surveying and Dating the Wooden Roof Structure of St Francis of Assisi Church in Valletta, Malta

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2020

St Francis of Assisi Church is an historic religious building in the centre of Valletta, Malta's ... more St Francis of Assisi Church is an historic religious building in the centre of Valletta, Malta's capital. Through analysis of the roof structure we have determined the timber species used in its construction, their state of conservation and the date of different building phases and maintenance work. The study provides an historical and cultural framework for the entire building. Apart from identifying the type of timber and typically English way of construction, dendrochronological dating has revealed two precise phases of intensive restoration, dating to 1681 and 1876, respectively. For both periods, the timber's provenance points to the Eastern Alps, based on dendrochronological master chronologies of European larch (Larix decidua). Furthermore, a single Norway spruce (Picea abies) board from the vault was dated to 1684. This church is a typical example of Maltese culture, intermingled with other cultures that have resulted in a very particular architectural-work.

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