Cross-field microclimate variability and coupling across museum, excavation and buried heritage settings

This study develops a cross-field framework for preventive conservation by analysing temperature and relative humidity dynamics across museum, excavation and buried environments. Using harmonised monitoring of the same wall section, we examine how external climate forcing is transformed along the environmental chain from outdoor conditions to the material microclimate. The buried environment is the most stable, the excavation environment the most exposed and the museum-related settings partially buffered. Weibull and Gamma distributions provide robust statistical baselines for bounded and skewed T/RH behaviour. Building on these properties, the Microclimate Stability Index (MSI) quantifies cumulative variability and short-term fluctuation, while the Environmental Coupling Index (ECI) characterises climatic transmission within and between environments. Additional correlation and anomaly analyses support the interpretation. Together, these results provide a structured basis for comparative, data-informed preventive conservation across different conservation settings.