Using damage functions to map heritage climatology at a global scale

This paper investigates heritage climatology through global analysis of damage functions for collections, aiming to learn about the reliability of these functions and the field itself. It addresses the growing interest in geospatial analysis of climate hazards for cultural heritage, proposing parameters that refine climate-related deterioration processes. Using global daily climate data from 1991 to 2020, the study assesses damage functions reliant on temperature and relative humidity inputs, including damage functions for paper and metals, alongside indices for humidity fluctuations and mould growth. The coarse spatial resolution of the dataset means that conclusions are only indicative, however this global approach to understanding climate hazards can be the basis of international collaboration and knowledge exchange, as it indicates which areas share similar risks. Since most damage functions are calibrated for materials common in Europe and North America, their application to tropical materials requires careful interpretation. Finally, this paper advocates for future research to expand and refine heritage climate indicators, which can be the basis of a comprehensive heritage climatology and the definition of climate zones that are useful to understand risks to heritage.