Seeing the past in a new light

LED multi-spectral imaging as an interpretative aid for archaeological excavation

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19396757
AutoresDavid Stott (0000-0003-3042-2813, Moesgaard Museum), Anna Katarina Ejgreen Tjelldén (0000-0002-9484-8322, Moesgaard Museum), Jens Berthold (0009-0004-0273-7337, Natural History Museum Aarhus), Jonathan M Crowther (0000-0002-2549-396X, CAB International), Lars Krants Larsen (0000-0002-7486-6144, Moesgaard Museum), Timmis A Maddox (0000-0001-9115-1557, Aarhus University), Michael S Thorsen (Natural History Museum Aarhus), Søren Munch Kristiansen (0000-0003-3128-4061, Aarhus University, autor correspondente)
Ano2026
Volume192
Páginas106620
Data de publicação2026-08-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Archaeological Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0305-4403 • E-ISSN: 1095-9238
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jas.2026.106620
OpenAlexW4408010652
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas44

Archaeologists identify stratigraphic events and distinguish between material and using visual and textural contrasts. However, relying purely on the visible spectrum means that salient information may be overlooked and ultimately lost. Recent development in multispectral imaging has the potential to improve our ability to detect these contrasts.In this work we built and tested a novel, fast and inexpensive LED multispectral illumination imaging system to improve contrast between different stratigraphic interfaces and identify material for sampling for further scientific analyses. The prototype achieves this using 16 discrete LED illumination wavelengths spanning the near ultraviolet, visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with the goal of performing preliminary spectral analyses in near real time. We demonstrate the utility of this method using sample images to show that we can improve our ability to distinguish stratigraphic interfaces, identify material that the detection of fluorescent materials is achievable without the use of costly optical filtration. This will enable archaeologists to make better informed decisions in the field while excavation is ongoing

Archaeology · Excavation · Archaeological Research and Protection · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Geology · History