A journey into the microstructure: Using a multifocal 3D digital light microscope to study archaeological artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks

D. Ashkenazi, D. Cvikel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The multifocal 3D digital light microscope (LM) is an advanced tool which allows the high resolution tracking of surface topographies, morphologies and colours, and offers real-time measurements of parameters such as length and roughness, as well as in-situ field microscopic scale documentation. The use of a multifocal digital LM, equipped with powerful software, is examined in the present work as a justified tool for the study of ancient objects retrieved from shipwrecks. For that purpose, various archaeological objects were studied with an advanced multifocal LM system, which included an improved light sensitivity sensor. The results were compared to other methods, such as XRF, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy and XRD. The use of a multifocal digital LM offers a unique opportunity to relate between the macroscopic and microscopic levels of the surface with colours as they appear in daylight, and correspondingly, in many cases, to expose the manufacturing process of the object.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere00129
JournalDigital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
Volume16
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Archaeological objects
  • Ceramic tiles
  • Copper alloy
  • Microstructure
  • Multifocal digital light microscope
  • Shipwreck

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Archaeology
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Computer Science Applications

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