Spectral phenomenology of historical parchments and inks to aid cultural heritage imaging system development

Abstract

Cultural Heritage Imaging is a rapidly expanding area of research utilizing multi and hyperspectral imaging systems to study historical artifacts of significance. Current imaging systems are based on colored LED illumination and select filter wheels to produce imagery in reflective, transmissive, and fluorescent modalities. The advent of new, smaller, hyperspectral systems provides an opportunity to re-think the imaging system for this particular application. This project is to assist in the design and development of a new hyperspectral imaging system for imaging historical documents. Specifically, this project will conduct a band selection study for the imaging system to use for this application, which leads to decisions such as which illumination sources, sensors, and filters should be available on the new imaging system. This paper will present spectral measurements of representative parchments, inks, and reagents. Measurements will be made using a point spectrometer covering 0.4 - 2.4 um. Fluorescence will be measured using a UV illumination LED in a darkened room. Measurements will be made of both bare parchment as well as parchment with ink and reagent applied.