Understanding multispectral imaging of cultural heritage:Determining best practice in MSI analysis of historical artefacts

Although multispectral imaging (MSI) of cultural heritage, such as manuscripts, documents and artwork, is becoming more popular, a variety of approaches are taken and methods are often inconsistently documented. Furthermore, no overview of the process of MSI capture and analysis with current technology has previously been published. This research was undertaken to determine current best practice in the deployment of MSI, highlighting areas that need further research, whilst providing recommendations regarding approach and documentation. An Action Research methodology was used to characterise the current pipeline, including: literature review; unstructured interviews and discussion of results with practitioners; and reflective practice whilst undertaking MSI analysis. The pipeline and recommendations from this research will improve project management by increasing clarity of published outcomes, the reusability of data, and encouraging a more open discussion of process and application within the MSI community. The importance of thorough documentation is emphasised, which will encourage sharing of best practice and results, improving community deployment of the technique. The findings encourage efficient use and reporting of MSI, aiding access to historical analysis. We hope this research will be useful to digitisation professionals, curators and conservators, allowing them to compare and contrast current practices

Study of the most effective analysis procedures using multispectral imaging techniques on ancient egyptian painted objects

Multispectral imaging (MSI) used as Initial studies to identify and study painted layers as a non-destructive method. The use of MSI to tentatively identify pigments has an important advantage justifying its application the rapid and low-cost survey of large areas.it is possible to tentatively identify some historical pigments and discover the invisible layers, painting and writing. By means of MSI performed with simplified equipment and without the aid of imaging analysis software. The two selected objects from the Grand Egyptian Museum collection were rich in pigments, first object is polychrome anthropoid wooden coffin lid (GEM No. 22452) the date back to 21st Dynasty (c. 1070 - 945 B.c.) Late period, which belong to the collection of Bab el- Gusus tomb and the second is a Cartonnage mummy trappings on linen (GEM No. 8615) date back to27th dynasty, late period. Different imaging techniques of multispectral imaging like ultraviolet methods (UVF, UVR, and UVRFC) and Infrared methods (IRF, IR, IRFC and IRT) will be studied and evaluated regarding to the efficiency and effectively. Mixing between multispectral imaging and Reflectance transformation imaging will be applied and tested by mix and match between these two techniques we can add value for the results we can get. Several methods will be applied practically to have the required results for evaluating these methods. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry was used as a complementary analysis for the identification of the pigments