Transmitted RTI

Following our successful experimentation with microscopic RTI and multispectral RTI, we develop a transmitted RTI methodology, inspired by transmitted photography, a set-up proposed for conservation documentation of translucent materials, canvas paintings, mounded papyri, photographic material, and works of art on paper or archival material. The transmitted RTI provides an enhanced RTI visualisation, complementary to reflected visible and infrared RTI. It enabled the examination of the back side of the mounted Derveni papyrus fragment, which was hidden by the backing material.

The Derveni papyrus fragment, backside. Clockwise from top left – reflected digital image, transmitted digital image and transmitted RTI visualisations. The Derveni Papyrus is located in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.