Munsell notations and color names: Recommendations for archaeological practice

Ferguson, Jonathan

doi:10.1179/0093469014z.00000000097

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The Munsell soil‐color charts (MSCCs) are commonly employed for onsite use by archaeologists, as the MSCCs represent a useful and common tool for evaluating the color of archaeological ceramics found during excavations . Archaeologists are used to employing MSCCs instead of expensive devices such as spectrophotometers and colorimeters, which require specific skills to use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automatic color classification via Munsell system for archaeology

Milotta

Tanasi

Stanco

et al. 2018

Color Research & Application

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Munsell soil charts are commonly used in archaeology to identify colors of soils and artifacts during excavations. In situ, the procedure is done by visual means and in a very subjective way, resulting in a time consuming and error‐prone approach. To overcome these limitations, an original application has been developed: the automatic recognition of color for archaeology (ARCA). ARCA is a framework thought to be a valuable asset for archaeologists since it may be objective, deterministic, and fast. In this framework, it is possible to convert RGB data to HVC color space. Users may import images in ARCA through a proper desktop application, which also allows operators to sample RGB manually data. Then, HVC notation is automatically estimated and provided to operators within an automatically generated filled report. ARCA moves from Munsell charts, but it has the advantage of providing an objective and affordable color specification system. In this study, we present the results related to data acquired in a controlled lightning environment with a color assessment cabinet on Munsell soil color charts to try to improve the lightness estimation. We focused on two color space conversions: RGB to HVC, and RGB to L*a*b* of CIELAB color space. Color coordinates are obtained through colorimetric measurements. We developed a method with three main phases, and we computed transformation coefficients from observed and ground truth data. The color accuracy of our method is presented in terms of Godlove distance and through CIEDE1976, CIEDE2000, ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* CIE metrics.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Automatic color classification via Munsell system for archaeology

Milotta

Tanasi

Stanco

et al. 2018

Color Research & Application

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“…Each chip is denoted by a Munsell notation as well as a color name. Officially, Munsell color codes have no formal prose or vernacular name, although names have been adopted for the MSCC and suggested for other Munsell collections to aid in adoption of the system (e.g., Ferguson 2014). The MSCC documentation indicates that the color name should always be provided alongside the notation (Munsell Color 2009).…”

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confidence: 99%

Is It Better to Be Objectively Wrong or Subjectively Right?

Bloch

Hosen

Kracht

et al. 2021

Adv. archaeol. pract.

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For many years, archaeologists have relied on Munsell Soil Color Charts (MSCC) as tools for standardizing the recording of soil and sediment colors in the field and artifacts such as pottery in the lab. Users have identified multiple potential sources of discrepancy in results, such as differences in inter-operator perception, light source, or moisture content of samples. In recent years, researchers have developed inexpensive digital methods for color identification, but these typically cannot be done in real time. Now, a field-ready digital color-matching instrument is marketed to archaeologists as a replacement for MSCC, but the accuracy and overall suitability of this device for archaeological research has not been demonstrated. Through three separate field and laboratory trials, we found systematic mismatches in the results obtained via device, including variable accuracy against standardized MSCC chips, which should represent ideal samples. At the same time, the instrument was consistent in its readings. This leads us to question whether using the “subjective” human eye or the “objective” digital eye is preferable for data recording of color. We discuss how project goals and limitations should be considered when deciding which color-recording method to employ in field and laboratory settings, and we identify optimal procedures.

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A multi‐analytical investigation of Imperial (I‐II century AD) Roman cooking ware from ‘Villa della Piscina’ and the so called ‘Minerva Medica Temple’ (Rome, Italy)

Privitera,

Bernardini,

Ventura

et al. 2024

J Raman Spectroscopy

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A multi‐analytical approach based on colourimetry, micro‐Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction, has been applied to investigate Roman cooking ware samples dating back to imperial age (I‐II century AD). In particular, the highly distinctive production of pots coming from two different archaeological sites, ‘Villa della Piscina’ at Centocelle district and the so called ‘Minerva Medica Temple’ at Esquilino district (Rome, Italy), was studied characterising the colour, the chemical, mineralogical and petrographic distinctive properties of the investigated samples, in order to compare technological and provenance aspects. Classification of ceramic fragment by colorimetry, integrated by compositional studies with a main contribution of micro‐Raman spectroscopy, allows to discriminate between superior and inferior quality cooking ware and evaluate the compatibility of the investigated samples with some pottery realised in known manufacturing sites in Lazio. Compositional and petrographic features allow assignment of samples from ‘Villa della Piscina’ testifying productions in the surroundings of Rome, while an importation from outsider workshops is hypothesised for the ceramic fragments from the so called ‘Minerva Medica Temple’. For these, an importation from outsider workshop is hypothesised.

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Munsell notations and color names: Recommendations for archaeological practice

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

Automatic color classification via Munsell system for archaeology

Automatic color classification via Munsell system for archaeology

Is It Better to Be Objectively Wrong or Subjectively Right?

A multi‐analytical investigation of Imperial (I‐II century AD) Roman cooking ware from ‘Villa della Piscina’ and the so called ‘Minerva Medica Temple’ (Rome, Italy)

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