Integrating optical imaging of mummy mask cartonnage

This rapid development and testing project captured data from multiple digital imaging techniques to try to see texts in papyrus mâché mummy mask cartonnage layers. Prior studies by other scholars destroyed the masks to access the papyri, denying future researcher access to the primary historical artefacts. This international, multidisciplinary project assessed the feasibility of integrating non-destructive digital imaging technologies to make texts visible in images of papyrus in mummy mask cartonnages for open research and analysis. The team used both optical multispectral imaging and optical coherence tomography at Duke University to try to detect the presence of text and offer scientifically valid approaches for documenting the initial state of objects and their production for future research and analysis without their destruction