Multispectral Imaging

choi

(1) A classic invention |  Multispectral Imaging: A scanner that sees a wider range of colours than the human eye is unlocking previously illegible manuscripts. Economist, Dec 3, 2011.
http://www.economist.com/node/21540390

Quote:

The multispectral-imaging scanner is "able to detect traces of faded or hidden inks and paints in historical manuscripts, expose forged documents and art works, and highlight forensic evidence such as fingerprints and stains from bodily fluids.

hardware of multispectral analysis "was originally developed by America’s space agency, NASA

Note:
(a) Being Latin (from Greek papyros), the English noun (which shares the same etymology with paper) has plural form papyri (plural for Latin) or papyruses (plural for English).
(b) Oxyrhynchus Papyri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxyrhynchus_Papyri
was excavated by Englishmen Bernard Pyne Grenfell and Arthur Surridge Hunt at an ancient rubbish dump near Oxyrhynchus in Egypt, starting 1896.
(c) iron-gall ink
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron-gall_ink
(was the standard writing and drawing ink in Europe, from about the 12th century to the 19th century; sectio 1 Preparation and use)
(d) shellac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellac

shellac (n; shell + lac)
www.m-w.com


(2) Elisabetta Povoledo, A Portrait by Leonardo? Scholars and Skeptics Differ. New York Times, Aug 23, 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/2 ... a%20lisa&st=cse

(3) But see

John Noble Wilford, Mapping Ancient Civilization, in a Matter of Days. New York Times, May 11, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/1 ... spectral&st=cse
("Imaging radar and multispectral surveys by air and from space could not 'see' through the trees. Then, in the dry spring season a year ago, the husband-and-wife team of Arlen F Chase and Diane Z Chase [of University of Central Florida] tried a new approach using airborne laser signals that penetrate the jungle cover and are reflected from the ground below. They yielded 3-D images of the site of ancient Caracol, in Belize, one of the great cities of the Maya lowlands.")