An Innovative Mechatronic Tool for the Cleaning and Sampling of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

The preservation of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (UHC) is an essential aspect of safeguarding historical and archaeological sites that are vulnerable to biofouling, sediment accumulation, and environmental degradation. This paper presents an innovative mechatronic tool for underwater restoration and conservation of the submerged cultural heritage, designed to facilitate and make more efficient the cleaning and sampling activities carried out by the underwater restorers and archaeologists. Compared to the state-of-the-art tools available in both the scientific literature and the industry field, the proposed underwater device integrates cleaning and sampling functions. Furthermore, it has been specifically designed to enhance the efficiency and comfort of underwater restorers and conservators in their work. These features make the mechatronic tool versatile for use at archaeological sites and on submerged structures. Laboratory tests, including hydrostatic pressure assessments and functional evaluations in controlled underwater environments, have demonstrated the instrument's reliability. Further testing will be conducted at sea under real operating conditions.