We analyze spectrophotometric data collected directly on the Turin Shroud in 1978. Using standard methodologies, we transform 19 visual reflectance and 16 UV-fluorescent emission spectra to CIE xyY color space coordinates. We then compare these results to those of an Italian team of investigators. Comparing x-y chromaticities, the reflectivities from clear areas (background), image, and blood-stain locations agree with corresponding data collected independently by the Italian team. In both sets of data, the clusters from image and background areas overlap strongly and are clearly separated from the blood-stain points. Data from lightly scorched areas fall within the clusters from background and image locations. Data from deeper scorches diverge significantly, as do all scorch data from the Italian team. We generate similar colorimetric data from the spectral UV-fluorescence measurements made by the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP). Plotted as x-y chromaticities, the clear areas group together as a cluster as do the blood data but the two clusters show a significant separation from each other. The scorch data are configured along a linear continuum advancing from the lightest clear areas to the darkest scorches. The image data bifurcate: two of the four points lie within the clear-area cluster and the two outliers fall in line with the scorch data. We offer interpretations and speculations on these findings. Quantification of the 1978 measurements establishes a procedure for future monitoring of the aging state of TS features. The measurement protocol and methodologies discussed are important for preservation of other historical art and historical relics.
Published in | International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 11, Issue 1) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11 |
Page(s) | 1-8 |
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), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Photoelectric Colorimetry, UV Fluorescence, Turin Shroud, Relic Conservation
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[2] | Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE). Publication No. 15, Colorimetry, 1986, 1971. (CIE 1986). |
[3] | Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE). “Standard on Colorimetric Observers,” CIE S002, (1986). |
[4] | Freebody, M., “More than Skin Deep: Photonics Protects our Cultural Heritage,” www.photonics.com/issues/photonics_spectra_august_2022/i1361 (2022). |
[5] | Gilbert, Jr, R., and Gilbert, M., “Ultraviolet-Visible Reflectance and Fluorescence Spectra of the Shroud of Turin,” Applied Optics 19, pp. 1930-1936 (1980). |
[6] | Pellicori, S. F., and Chandos, R. A., “Portable Unit Permits UV/vis Study of the ‘Shroud’” reprinted from Industrial Research & Development – February 1981. |
[7] | Soardo P., Iacomussi P., and Rossi G., “Colourimetry of the Shroud” in “The Shroud, past, present and future,” International Scientific Symposium, Torino, 2-5 March 2000 – Effatá Editrice, Cantalupa (TO) pp. 89-100 (2000). |
[8] | Pellicori, S. F., “Spectral Properties of the Shroud,” Applied Optics 19 (12), pp. 1913-1920 (1980). |
[9] | Privitera, C., “Digital Colorimetric Analysis of the Shroud of Turin,” MATEC Web of Conferences 36, DOI 1051/matecconf/20153602002 (2015). |
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[13] | ©1978 Barrie M. Schwortz Collection, STERA, Inc. |
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[17] | Samuel Pellicori, “UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited” International Journal of Archeology, Vol 8, No. 2, 32-36 (2020) doi 10.11648/j.ija 20200802.13. |
APA Style
Larry Schwalbe, Samuel Pellicori. (2023). Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud. International Journal of Archaeology, 11(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11
ACS Style
Larry Schwalbe; Samuel Pellicori. Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud. Int. J. Archaeol. 2023, 11(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11
AMA Style
Larry Schwalbe, Samuel Pellicori. Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud. Int J Archaeol. 2023;11(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11
@article{10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11, author = {Larry Schwalbe and Samuel Pellicori}, title = {Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud}, journal = {International Journal of Archaeology}, volume = {11}, number = {1}, pages = {1-8}, doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20231101.11}, abstract = {We analyze spectrophotometric data collected directly on the Turin Shroud in 1978. Using standard methodologies, we transform 19 visual reflectance and 16 UV-fluorescent emission spectra to CIE xyY color space coordinates. We then compare these results to those of an Italian team of investigators. Comparing x-y chromaticities, the reflectivities from clear areas (background), image, and blood-stain locations agree with corresponding data collected independently by the Italian team. In both sets of data, the clusters from image and background areas overlap strongly and are clearly separated from the blood-stain points. Data from lightly scorched areas fall within the clusters from background and image locations. Data from deeper scorches diverge significantly, as do all scorch data from the Italian team. We generate similar colorimetric data from the spectral UV-fluorescence measurements made by the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP). Plotted as x-y chromaticities, the clear areas group together as a cluster as do the blood data but the two clusters show a significant separation from each other. The scorch data are configured along a linear continuum advancing from the lightest clear areas to the darkest scorches. The image data bifurcate: two of the four points lie within the clear-area cluster and the two outliers fall in line with the scorch data. We offer interpretations and speculations on these findings. Quantification of the 1978 measurements establishes a procedure for future monitoring of the aging state of TS features. The measurement protocol and methodologies discussed are important for preservation of other historical art and historical relics.}, year = {2023} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud AU - Larry Schwalbe AU - Samuel Pellicori Y1 - 2023/01/30 PY - 2023 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11 DO - 10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11 T2 - International Journal of Archaeology JF - International Journal of Archaeology JO - International Journal of Archaeology SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-7595 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20231101.11 AB - We analyze spectrophotometric data collected directly on the Turin Shroud in 1978. Using standard methodologies, we transform 19 visual reflectance and 16 UV-fluorescent emission spectra to CIE xyY color space coordinates. We then compare these results to those of an Italian team of investigators. Comparing x-y chromaticities, the reflectivities from clear areas (background), image, and blood-stain locations agree with corresponding data collected independently by the Italian team. In both sets of data, the clusters from image and background areas overlap strongly and are clearly separated from the blood-stain points. Data from lightly scorched areas fall within the clusters from background and image locations. Data from deeper scorches diverge significantly, as do all scorch data from the Italian team. We generate similar colorimetric data from the spectral UV-fluorescence measurements made by the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP). Plotted as x-y chromaticities, the clear areas group together as a cluster as do the blood data but the two clusters show a significant separation from each other. The scorch data are configured along a linear continuum advancing from the lightest clear areas to the darkest scorches. The image data bifurcate: two of the four points lie within the clear-area cluster and the two outliers fall in line with the scorch data. We offer interpretations and speculations on these findings. Quantification of the 1978 measurements establishes a procedure for future monitoring of the aging state of TS features. The measurement protocol and methodologies discussed are important for preservation of other historical art and historical relics. VL - 11 IS - 1 ER -