Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription

Abstract The inscription of the statuette from Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum Λ 95, has proven over the years to be exceedingly difficult for the correct identification of its hieroglyphic signs. The signs vary widely in their quality of engraving, with some being so small and shallow that...

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Main Author: Len Gleeson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2023-07-01
Series:Heritage Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01002-6
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author Len Gleeson
author_facet Len Gleeson
author_sort Len Gleeson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The inscription of the statuette from Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum Λ 95, has proven over the years to be exceedingly difficult for the correct identification of its hieroglyphic signs. The signs vary widely in their quality of engraving, with some being so small and shallow that they cannot be recognized at all by traditional techniques, and the stone’s surface shows evidence of ‘staining’ after many centuries of burial in the temperate soil. Furthermore, it appears that some signs were never actually completely engraved, with what appears to be remnants of the original marking paint, now bridging areas of disjoint engravings. Optical Profilometry equipment was employed to unambiguously resolve the engraved parts of the inscription, while Multi-Spectral Imaging was used to identify the areas of remnant marking paint.
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spelling doaj.art-293257dacd5e4b64ab7418d09e5c5cc32023-07-30T11:22:02ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452023-07-011111910.1186/s40494-023-01002-6Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscriptionLen GleesonAbstract The inscription of the statuette from Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum Λ 95, has proven over the years to be exceedingly difficult for the correct identification of its hieroglyphic signs. The signs vary widely in their quality of engraving, with some being so small and shallow that they cannot be recognized at all by traditional techniques, and the stone’s surface shows evidence of ‘staining’ after many centuries of burial in the temperate soil. Furthermore, it appears that some signs were never actually completely engraved, with what appears to be remnants of the original marking paint, now bridging areas of disjoint engravings. Optical Profilometry equipment was employed to unambiguously resolve the engraved parts of the inscription, while Multi-Spectral Imaging was used to identify the areas of remnant marking paint.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01002-6Optical profilometrySurface characterizationMulti-spectral imagingAncient pigment
spellingShingle Len Gleeson
Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
Heritage Science
Optical profilometry
Surface characterization
Multi-spectral imaging
Ancient pigment
title Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
title_full Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
title_fullStr Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
title_full_unstemmed Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
title_short Advanced imaging techniques applied to the Knossos statuette inscription
title_sort advanced imaging techniques applied to the knossos statuette inscription
topic Optical profilometry
Surface characterization
Multi-spectral imaging
Ancient pigment
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01002-6
work_keys_str_mv AT lengleeson advancedimagingtechniquesappliedtotheknossosstatuetteinscription