UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited

Samuel Pellicori

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited

Samuel Pellicori

Published in International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Received: 2 December 2020 Accepted: 14 December 2020 Published: 22 December 2020

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Abstract

UV fluorescence imagery of faint or fragile images and markings (writing) on relics and artwork is an affordable non-destructive tool useful in revealing often invisible details and in monitoring temporal stability. UV fluorescent images of Turin were recorded for the first time during the 1978 scientific investigation. The original images were recorded on color film and now have been digitally scanned and enhanced using image processing software. The processed UV images contain spectral discriminatory information and high spatial detail resolution with high contrast that is not discernable in white light images. Differing fluorescent emission colors were found to be associated with image features such as body image, burns, blood flows, skin wounds and water flows on the Turin Shroud. Spectral signature information has the potential for assisting the determination or elimination of the causes responsible for the appearance of the various features. Inconsistent and non-uniform exposure problems in the original photography were revealed, and their impact the subsequent digitization of the images is discussed. Suggestions for future fluorescence image collection include the design of equipment that will eliminate the problems associated illumination and film exposure. The extraction of spectral and spatial detail through UV fluorescence imagery is relevant to tracking temporal and climatic changes to assist conservation efforts.

Published in	International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
Page(s)	32-36
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

UV Fluorescence Studies, Turing Shroud, Conservation Efforts.

References

[1]	Jumper, Eric J., Alan D. Adler, John P. Jackson, Samuel F. Pellicori, John H. Heller, James R. Druzik, “A Comprehensive Examination of the Various Stains and Images on the Shroud of Turin”, ACS Advances in Chemistry No. 205. Archaeological Chem. III, American Chemical Society 22, 447-476 (1984).
[2]	L. A. Schwalbe and R. N. Rogers Analytica Chimica acta, 135, 3-49 (1982) printed in the Netherlands Special Report Physics and Chemistry of the Shroud of Turin a Summary of the 1978 Investigation.
[3]	Eric J. Jumper and Robert W. Mottern, Applied Optics, Vol. 19, 1909-1912 (1980).
[4]	Ian Wilson, The Mysterious Shroud, Doubleday & Company, Garden City New York, 1986, ISBN 0-385-19074-3.
[5]	Miller, V. D. and Pellicori, S. F.: “Ultraviolet Fluorescence Photography of the Shroud of Turin”, J. Biological Photographers Assoc. 49, No. 3, 71-85 (1981). available from www.shroud.com.
[6]	S. F. Pellicori, “Transmittances of Some Optical Materials for use Between 1900 and 3400 A”, Appl. Opt, 3 no. 5, 361-36 (1964).
[7]	Roger Gilbert, Jr., and Marion M. Gilbert, “Ultraviolet-visible reflectance and fluorescence spectra of the Shroud of Turin”, Applied Optics, Vol. 19, page 1930-1936 (1980).
[8]	Essential Macleod Thin Film Software, www.thinfilmcenter.com.
[9]	Pellicori, S. F.: “Spectral Properties of the Shroud of Turin”, Appl Opt. 19, 1913-1920 (1980).
[10]	Alan D. Adler and Larry A. Schwalbe, “Conservation of The Shroud of Turin”, Shroud Spectrum International, No. 42, December (1993).
[11]	Stephen Brown, “Guidelines for Environmental Control in Cultural Institutions”, Consortium for Heritage Collections and their Environment, (2002). www.researchgate.net/publication/341026505
[12]	Jo Kirby Atkinson, “Environmental conditions for the safeguarding of collections: A background to the current debate on the control of relative humidity and temperature”, Studies in Conservation, (2014) 59: 4, 205-212, DOI: 10.1179/2047058414Y.0000000141.
[13]	Stefan Michalski, “Measurement of Ultraviolet Radiation – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 2/2. ISBN ISSN 1928-1455. http://opensi.si.edu/index.php/smithsonian/catalog/book/111
[14]	Michalski, S. "Damage to Museum Objects by Visible Radiation (Light) and Ultraviolet Radiation (UV)." In, Lighting in Museums, Galleries and Historic Houses. London: Museums Association, UKIC, and Group of Designers and Interpreters for Museums, 1987, pp. 3-16.

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Samuel Pellicori. (2020). UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. International Journal of Archaeology, 8(2), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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Samuel Pellicori. UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. Int. J. Archaeol. 2020, 8(2), 32-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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Samuel Pellicori. UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. Int J Archaeol. 2020;8(2):32-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13,
  author = {Samuel Pellicori},
  title = {UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20200802.13},
  abstract = {UV fluorescence imagery of faint or fragile images and markings (writing) on relics and artwork is an affordable non-destructive tool useful in revealing often invisible details and in monitoring temporal stability. UV fluorescent images of Turin were recorded for the first time during the 1978 scientific investigation. The original images were recorded on color film and now have been digitally scanned and enhanced using image processing software. The processed UV images contain spectral discriminatory information and high spatial detail resolution with high contrast that is not discernable in white light images. Differing fluorescent emission colors were found to be associated with image features such as body image, burns, blood flows, skin wounds and water flows on the Turin Shroud. Spectral signature information has the potential for assisting the determination or elimination of the causes responsible for the appearance of the various features. Inconsistent and non-uniform exposure problems in the original photography were revealed, and their impact the subsequent digitization of the images is discussed. Suggestions for future fluorescence image collection include the design of equipment that will eliminate the problems associated illumination and film exposure. The extraction of spectral and spatial detail through UV fluorescence imagery is relevant to tracking temporal and climatic changes to assist conservation efforts.},
 year = {2020}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited
AU  - Samuel Pellicori
Y1  - 2020/12/22
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
SP  - 32
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
AB  - UV fluorescence imagery of faint or fragile images and markings (writing) on relics and artwork is an affordable non-destructive tool useful in revealing often invisible details and in monitoring temporal stability. UV fluorescent images of Turin were recorded for the first time during the 1978 scientific investigation. The original images were recorded on color film and now have been digitally scanned and enhanced using image processing software. The processed UV images contain spectral discriminatory information and high spatial detail resolution with high contrast that is not discernable in white light images. Differing fluorescent emission colors were found to be associated with image features such as body image, burns, blood flows, skin wounds and water flows on the Turin Shroud. Spectral signature information has the potential for assisting the determination or elimination of the causes responsible for the appearance of the various features. Inconsistent and non-uniform exposure problems in the original photography were revealed, and their impact the subsequent digitization of the images is discussed. Suggestions for future fluorescence image collection include the design of equipment that will eliminate the problems associated illumination and film exposure. The extraction of spectral and spatial detail through UV fluorescence imagery is relevant to tracking temporal and climatic changes to assist conservation efforts.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Samuel Pellicori

Pellicori Optical Consulting, Santa Barbara, USA

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Samuel Pellicori. (2020). UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. International Journal of Archaeology, 8(2), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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ACS Style

Samuel Pellicori. UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. Int. J. Archaeol. 2020, 8(2), 32-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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AMA Style

Samuel Pellicori. UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited. Int J Archaeol. 2020;8(2):32-36. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13,
  author = {Samuel Pellicori},
  title = {UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited},
  journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20200802.13},
  abstract = {UV fluorescence imagery of faint or fragile images and markings (writing) on relics and artwork is an affordable non-destructive tool useful in revealing often invisible details and in monitoring temporal stability. UV fluorescent images of Turin were recorded for the first time during the 1978 scientific investigation. The original images were recorded on color film and now have been digitally scanned and enhanced using image processing software. The processed UV images contain spectral discriminatory information and high spatial detail resolution with high contrast that is not discernable in white light images. Differing fluorescent emission colors were found to be associated with image features such as body image, burns, blood flows, skin wounds and water flows on the Turin Shroud. Spectral signature information has the potential for assisting the determination or elimination of the causes responsible for the appearance of the various features. Inconsistent and non-uniform exposure problems in the original photography were revealed, and their impact the subsequent digitization of the images is discussed. Suggestions for future fluorescence image collection include the design of equipment that will eliminate the problems associated illumination and film exposure. The extraction of spectral and spatial detail through UV fluorescence imagery is relevant to tracking temporal and climatic changes to assist conservation efforts.},
 year = {2020}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited
AU  - Samuel Pellicori
Y1  - 2020/12/22
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
SP  - 32
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20200802.13
AB  - UV fluorescence imagery of faint or fragile images and markings (writing) on relics and artwork is an affordable non-destructive tool useful in revealing often invisible details and in monitoring temporal stability. UV fluorescent images of Turin were recorded for the first time during the 1978 scientific investigation. The original images were recorded on color film and now have been digitally scanned and enhanced using image processing software. The processed UV images contain spectral discriminatory information and high spatial detail resolution with high contrast that is not discernable in white light images. Differing fluorescent emission colors were found to be associated with image features such as body image, burns, blood flows, skin wounds and water flows on the Turin Shroud. Spectral signature information has the potential for assisting the determination or elimination of the causes responsible for the appearance of the various features. Inconsistent and non-uniform exposure problems in the original photography were revealed, and their impact the subsequent digitization of the images is discussed. Suggestions for future fluorescence image collection include the design of equipment that will eliminate the problems associated illumination and film exposure. The extraction of spectral and spatial detail through UV fluorescence imagery is relevant to tracking temporal and climatic changes to assist conservation efforts.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

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