Scientists were able to deconstruct an ancient Jewish parchment using a combination of sophisticated imaging techniques.

The research -- published Friday in the journal Frontiers in Materials -- could help scientists better understand how historical documents and artifacts degrade over time.

For the study, researchers at Romania's National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics examined a poorly preserved manuscript containing several chapters from the Book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible.

"The goal of the study was ... to understand what the passing of time has brought upon the object, how it was degraded and what would be the best approach for its future conservation process," Luminita Ghervase, study co-author and research scientist at the institute, said in a news release.

By deploying a variety of spectroscopic instruments and capturing images from a multitude of angles, researchers were able to elicit details about the ancient parchment's material origins.

"The use of complementary investigation techniques can shed light on the unknown history of such an object," Ghervase said. "For some years now, non-invasive, non-destructive investigation techniques are the first choice in investigating cultural heritage objects, to comply with one of the main rules of the conservation practice, which is to not harm the object."

Using what's known as multispectral imaging, researchers scanned the parchment within different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because different materials absorb and reflect light in different ways, this imaging technique can highlight irregularities.

For example, researchers spotted an area with heightened ultraviolet absorption, suggesting a patch of the parchment was repaired with an organic material such as resin.

The multispectral scans also revealed two different kinds of ink, possible evidence that attempts to restore the parchment's text were made at some point during its history.

Researchers relied on a computer algorithm to identify the parchment's spectral signatures and super fine scales, a technique that could be used in the future to decipher text.

Using a separate technique called X-ray fluorescence -- which can be used to identify specific chemicals in the ink and parchment material -- scientists found large concentrations of ink, commonly used in bleaching treatments, further evidence of past restoration attempts.

After determining the parchment was made of animal skin, researchers used a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer to measure the deterioration rate of collagen in the scroll.

Researchers hope their work could inform historians' efforts to date the parchment, as well as aid the restoration attempts of conservators.

"They can wisely decide if any improper materials had been used, and if such materials should be removed," Ghervase said. "Moreover, restorers can choose the most appropriate materials to restore and preserve the object, ruling out any possible incompatible materials."

Related Links
All About Human Beings and How We Got To Be Here

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Neanderthals' thumbs were well-suited to 'squeeze,' study says
Washington DC (UPI) Nov 27, 2020
Neanderthals' thumbs stuck out from their hands at a much wider angle than humans, making it easier to grip certain tools, according to a study published this week. The paper, published Thursday in Scientific Reports, said Neanderthals were well-adapted to grip tools the way we grab hammers - but would have struggled to hold a pencil or shake hands with someone else. Ameline Bardo, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Kent's School of Anthropology and Conservation in the ... read more