Microtomographic Analysis of a Palaeolithic Wooden Point from the Ljubljanica River

Puhar, Enej Guček; Korat, Lidija; Erič, Miran; Jaklič, Aleš; Solina, Franc

doi:10.3390/s22062369

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…To obtain complete information on the materials and techniques used for producing ancient polychrome wooden art pieces with different layers of successively applied decorations, several complementary analytical methods of analysis must be performed. The classical nondestructive methods of investigation are optical microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy techniques, FTIR, and X-ray fluorescence, routinely used for the analysis of organic and inorganic constituent materials of historic and artistic works, combining molecular and elemental analysis [22][23][24][25]. Our approach revealed and emphasized the existence of original gold and silver layer decorations on a wooden relic pedestal recalling the Romanian Brancovan adaptation of Byzantine tradition and two successive copper-zinc alloy metallic coatings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decorative Coatings of the Saint Demetrius Basarabov Reliquary’s Wooden Pedestal

Stanculescu,

Filimon,

Protopopescu

et al. 2023

Coatings

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This study presents the results and information revealed by in-depth physicochemical investigations carried out on an 18th-century polychrome wooden pedestal of the holy relics of Saint Demetrius Basarabov preserved at the Romanian Patriarchy of Bucharest. The preliminary stylistic observations and examinations on its present state of conservation were followed by optical microscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) analysis performed in order to adopt an appropriate restoration treatment for bringing the artifact, as close as possible, to its original appearance as well as for dating/attributing the artifact and assessing its state of conservation. It was revealed that several interventions were subsequently undertaken on the original gilded surface consisting of a gypsum support layer with an iron oxide layer of bolus on which a silver foil or a gold foil and a natural resin on top of it as a protective layer were applied. The regilding and later restoration interventions consisted in applying, over the original, layers of a copper–zinc alloy foil (Dutch metal as an imitation of gold) with a resin layer of vernis over it. The final decision on the restoration intervention was taken based on the scientific analysis outcome. This work attempts also to highlight the importance of the interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, conservation scientists, restorers/conservators, and curators for the preservation and valorization of the historical religious Romanian heritage artifacts, largely unknown worldwide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decorative Coatings of the Saint Demetrius Basarabov Reliquary’s Wooden Pedestal

Stanculescu,

Filimon,

Protopopescu

et al. 2023

Coatings

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“…In the eld of paleoecology, the identi cation of wood or charcoal samples can offer insight into the evolution of forests throughout history (Stobbe et al, 2021;Hubau et al, 2013). In the eld of archaeology and art history, the identi cation of materials can add invaluable information about the object's history, use and best preservation (Cufar, K. et al, 2022;Puhar et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-destructive wood identification using X-ray µCT scanning: which resolution do we need?

Dierickx,

Genbrugge,

Beeckman

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Taxonomic identification of wood specimens provides vital information for a wide variety of academic (e.g. paleoecology, cultural heritage studies) and commercial (e.g. wood trade) purposes. It is generally accomplished through the observation of key anatomical features. Classic methodologies mostly require destructive sub-sampling, which is not always acceptable. X-ray computed micro-tomography (µCT) is a promising non-destructive alternative since it allows a detailed non-invasive visualization of the internal wood structure. There is, however, no standardized approach that determines the required resolution for proper wood identification using X-ray µCT. Here we compared X-ray µCT scans of 17 African wood species at four resolutions (1µm, 3µm, 8µm and 15µm). The species were selected from the Xylarium of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium, and represent a wide variety of wood-anatomical features. Results For each resolution, we determined which standardized anatomical features can be distinguished or measured, using the anatomical descriptions and microscopic photographs on the Inside Wood Online Database as a reference. We show that small-scale features (e.g. pits and fibres) can be best distinguished at high resolution (especially 1µm voxel size). In contrast, large-scale features (e.g. vessel porosity or arrangement) can be best observed at low resolution due to a larger field of view. Intermediate resolutions are optimal (especially 3 µm voxel size), allowing recognition of most small- and large-scale features. While the potential for wood identification is thus highest at 3µm, the scans at 1µm and 8µm were successful in more than half of the studied cases, and even the 15µm resolution showed a high potential for 40% of the samples. Conclusions The results show the potential of X-ray µCT for non-destructive wood identification. Each of the four studied resolutions proved to contain information on the anatomical features and has the potential to lead to an identification. The dataset of 17 scanned species is made available online and serves as the first step towards a reference database of scanned wood species, facilitating and encouraging more systematic use of X-ray µCT for the identification of wood species.

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“…In the field of paleoecology, the identification of wood or charcoal samples can offer insight into the evolution of forests throughout history [4][5][6]. In the field of archaeology and art history, the identification of materials can add invaluable information about the object's history, use and best preservation [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-destructive wood identification using X-ray µCT scanning: which resolution do we need?

Dierickx,

Genbrugge,

Beeckman

et al. 2024

Plant Methods

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Background Taxonomic identification of wood specimens provides vital information for a wide variety of academic (e.g. paleoecology, cultural heritage studies) and commercial (e.g. wood trade) purposes. It is generally accomplished through the observation of key anatomical features. Classic methodologies mostly require destructive sub-sampling, which is not always acceptable. X-ray computed micro-tomography (µCT) is a promising non-destructive alternative since it allows a detailed non-invasive visualization of the internal wood structure. There is, however, no standardized approach that determines the required resolution for proper wood identification using X-ray µCT. Here we compared X-ray µCT scans of 17 African wood species at four resolutions (1 µm, 3 µm, 8 µm and 15 µm). The species were selected from the Xylarium of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium, and represent a wide variety of wood-anatomical features. Results For each resolution, we determined which standardized anatomical features can be distinguished or measured, using the anatomical descriptions and microscopic photographs on the Inside Wood Online Database as a reference. We show that small-scale features (e.g. pits and fibres) can be best distinguished at high resolution (especially 1 µm voxel size). In contrast, large-scale features (e.g. vessel porosity or arrangement) can be best observed at low resolution due to a larger field of view. Intermediate resolutions are optimal (especially 3 µm voxel size), allowing recognition of most small- and large-scale features. While the potential for wood identification is thus highest at 3 µm, the scans at 1 µm and 8 µm were successful in more than half of the studied cases, and even the 15 µm resolution showed a high potential for 40% of the samples. Conclusions The results show the potential of X-ray µCT for non-destructive wood identification. Each of the four studied resolutions proved to contain information on the anatomical features and has the potential to lead to an identification. The dataset of 17 scanned species is made available online and serves as the first step towards a reference database of scanned wood species, facilitating and encouraging more systematic use of X-ray µCT for the identification of wood species.

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Microtomographic Analysis of a Palaeolithic Wooden Point from the Ljubljanica River

Cited by 3 publications

References 77 publications

Decorative Coatings of the Saint Demetrius Basarabov Reliquary’s Wooden Pedestal

Decorative Coatings of the Saint Demetrius Basarabov Reliquary’s Wooden Pedestal

Non-destructive wood identification using X-ray µCT scanning: which resolution do we need?

Non-destructive wood identification using X-ray µCT scanning: which resolution do we need?

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