Hyperspec SWIR spectral imaging instrumentation from Headwall Photonics was used by archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority to analyse text found on an ancient shard of pottery.
The inscribed pottery chard is known as an ostracon and dates back 3,000 years in history.
It was scanned and imaged utilising Headwall's high spectral resolution Hyperspec SWIR sensor, which provides spectral imaging capabilities in the range of 1,000 to 2,500 nanometres.
In collaboration with archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and Foundation Stone, a non-profit organisation supporting the archeological dig, Headwall application engineers conducted multiple hyperspectral scans of the ostracon.
The scans resulted in the identification of text symbols that will assist the project team in its efforts to decipher the text appearing on the pottery shard.
Hyperspectral images, which yield information about the chemical composition of an object or scene, allows researchers to analyse information that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Hyperspectral imaging is a rapidly growing technology area within the field of spectroscopy.
'By adopting this technique, researchers can better understand not only the text of the ostracon but also the characteristics of the artifact such as inks, pigments, and material composition,' said David Bannon, chief executive officer of Headwall Photonics.
Carbon dating of the ostracon revealed the artifact is approximately 1,000 years older than the Dead Sea Scrolls.
'The ability to provide both high spectral and spatial resolution were significant attributes in our decision to work with Headwall's hyperspectral sensors,' said Saar Ganor, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority.
