Founded by Alexander the Great between 332 and 331 BC, Alexandria has been a pulsing center of culture, knowledge, and trade for centuries. The city was home to iconic monuments of the Hellenistic world, such as the famous Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and the legendary Library of Alexandria, whose loss remains shrouded in mystery.
Today, however, the city faces a new danger: climate change and its consequences threaten the preservation of the heritage held within the Alexandria Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA). Several agents are accelerating the deterioration of the artworks, but what are the main risks and how can they be mitigated?
The Climate Threat
Analyses conducted at the AMFA have identified multiple decay agents threatening the works. These include:
- Temperature and relative humidity fluctuations;
- Atmospheric pollution;
- Lighting and UV rays.
These agents, often linked to the ongoing climate crisis, represent a risk to all cultural collections in Mediterranean countries, with specific cumulative effects for each area. Alexandria, in particular, experiences very hot, dry summers and humid winters—phenomena that are intensifying due to climate change.
Temperature and Relative Humidity Fluctuations
During a year of monitoring inside the AMFA, significant variations were recorded, with temperatures ranging between 16.41–28.76 °C and relative humidity between 45.9% and 83.78%. These large and sudden fluctuations can cause mechanical damage to sensitive materials, such as warping, cracking, and surface disintegration. Hygroscopic materials, in particular, undergo volume changes as they absorb or release moisture based on the surrounding environment. Furthermore, high humidity levels encourage mold growth and insect infestations, increasing the risk to the collection.
Atmospheric Pollution and Poor Ventilation
The AMFA is located in an area with high urban traffic and faces ventilation challenges: the air inside the building is naturally aerated only through the main door, as there are no windows. This configuration increases the accumulation of dust, moisture, and pollutants.
Analyses of NO2 and O3 levels indicate a strong influence from outdoor pollution, while concentrations of acetic and formic acid—originating from internal materials—pose a risk both to the health of staff and visitors and to artworks containing cellulose and acid-sensitive pigments.
Digitalization and Potential Solutions
The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how we preserve and enhance cultural heritage by offering advanced tools for preventive conservation. Through a combination of smart sensors, continuous monitoring, and data analysis, IoT allows for targeted and timely intervention against the risks threatening cultural assets.
How IoT can help the AMFA:
- Continuous Monitoring: Environmental sensors can detect real-time variations in temperature, humidity, pollutant concentrations, and structural vibrations, allowing for damage prevention before it becomes irreversible.
- Predictive Maintenance: Collected data makes it possible to foresee potential issues and schedule targeted maintenance interventions, reducing costs and optimizing resources.
- Machine Learning Supported Decision-Making: Machine learning techniques allow for the analysis of large amounts of data to suggest the best conservation strategies based on predictive scenarios.
Digitalization not only supports preventive conservation but also offers new opportunities to enhance cultural heritage. The virtual expansion of museums, archives, and libraries allows for:
- Creating Digital Twins: Digital replicas that allow for the simulation of environmental conditions and the planning of conservation interventions.
- Improving Accessibility: Virtual experiences and digital tours can reduce risks related to overcrowding, vandalism, and theft.
- Optimizing Energy Use: Automated systems can reduce the exposure of works to light and control the internal microclimate.
Protecting Alexandria’s cultural heritage and addressing the challenges posed by climate change requires a holistic approach that combines technological innovation and scientific research.
Climate Change and Decay Agents: The Case of Alexandria, Egypt
The implementation of IoT technologies, advanced monitoring systems, and the creation of preventive conservation plans adapted to the local context, supported by data and predictive analysis, is crucial for preserving Mediterranean cultural heritage in the long term.
Source: Case study of the museum of fine arts in Alexandria (Egypt)
