PhD School in Archaeology | May 15 h. 10-13 Workshop for PhD students (II-III year). Curriculum of Prehistoric Archaeolgy (open to all students)
2025 May, 15
Reflectance spectroscopy for the in situ study of polychrome surfaces
Marcello Picollo, Giovanni Bartolozzi, Costanza Cucci
The use of reflectance-mode spectroscopy techniques with portable instrumentation for noninvasive in situ measurements of artistic and archaeological artifacts has increased significantly in the field of cultural heritage (CH) over the past 40 years. This is due to technological progress, which has allowed for higher-performance instruments with a wider operating range, coupled with the ability to adapt the technique to a wide variety of case studies, which in fact has allowed for the expansion of the potential for analysis. Among these techniques, reflectance spectroscopy using optical fibers (FORS) in the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared regions was first employed in CH in 1985 by the Applied Spectroscopy Research Group (SABeC) of the 'Nello Carrara' Institute of Applied Physics (IFAC) of the CNR in Florence. Over the years, new instrumentation has allowed the spectral range of interest to be extended to broaden the ability to identify materials of interest.
The seminar will focus on the use of the FORS technique from its earliest applications by providing
information on both the evolution of instrumentation and the methodologies of using FORS through
laboratory tests and case studies.
The results obtained in recent years with the FORS technique have opened the door to the use of imaging spectroscopy techniques in the field of CH. https://sabec.ifac.cnr.it/
Hyperspectral imaging for non-invasive investigations on archaeological artefacts
Dr.ssa Costanza Cucci – CNR -Ist. di Fisica Applicata “Nello Carrara” (IFAC)
Reflectance Hyperspectral Imaging is categorized as an Imaging Spectroscopy technique and is currently among the most advanced technologies for performing non-invasive analysis and diagnostic investigations on different types of artifacts. This technique enables identification and/or discrimination among different materials, like pigments or some degradation products. In addition, hyperspectral images can be used to enhance hidden details that aren't visible with the naked eye, thus providing a tool for augmented documentation of the artefact.
After a short technical Introduction on the basics and the implementation of hyperspectral imaging in the
field of Cultural Heritage, some of the most recent applications in the archaeological field will be presented, focusing on examples from measurement campaigns carried out in different contexts and/or case studies (Roman archaeology, Rock art, ancient Egyptian artifacts)