CSI: Hopewell [ Researchers use forensic photography to see ancient textiles in new light ]

Columbus Dispatch ^ | Tuesday, March 27, 2007 | Meredith Heagney

[SunkenCiv]

Christel Baldia and Kathryn Jakes borrowed forensic photographic techniques used in crime labs to study fabrics used by ancient American Indians. But instead of looking for stray fibers or blood evidence, they scan textile fragments for colors and patterns that might be invisible to the eye. These techniques "make the unseen, seen," said Jakes, a professor of textile and fiber science at Ohio State University who has studied ancient fabrics for 25 years. Baldia, a visiting professor at the Florida Institute of Technology who received her doctorate in textile science at Ohio State University in 2005, said she got the idea from museums that use forensic photographic techniques to look for forgeries. She and Jakes photographed Hopewell textiles borrowed from the Ohio Historical Society... In one set of photographs, for example, a cloverlike pattern can be seen. And the set of photographs reveal that the Hopewell were chemists of sorts, creating colors for their clothes and ceremonial fabrics... "We want to save the fabric," she said. "We can't go back and get any more. That's what makes each piece precious."

[SunkenCiv]

Ohio State researcher Kathryn Jakes uses a 35 mm camera and different light sources to find hidden clues in ancient textiles. [Tim Revell]

[SunkenCiv]

Take that, Adovasio. ;')

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[RightWhale]

This was on FR a couple months ago. I still don't see any secret designs.

[SunkenCiv]

Here, try my X-ray Spex.

"Totenstadt 4: Five Baldias inside the chamber"

From left to right: Christel Baldia (USA), Peter Baldia (Austria), Peter L. Baldia (Germany), Elmer Baldia (Germany), Dr. Maximilian O. Baldia (USA). Photo: Oct. 10, 2004 (Courtesy Peter Baldia, Vienna, Austria).

[SunkenCiv]

Wow, I guess I'm experiencing cognitive decline. Or perhaps I shouldn't be online after 2 AM from now on. ;')

Forensic Photography Brings Color Back To Ancient Textiles
OHS | 2-7-2007
Posted on 02/08/2007 6:06:04 PM EST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1781608/posts

[RightWhale]

So long as you werren't driving past my house at 2 AM Sunday with your Dynomite muffler system bypass open and Nukular Sound System cranked.

[SunkenCiv]

Uh-oh... [blush]

[Knitting A Conundrum]

dyeing is an ancient art...perhaps some of the oldest intentional chemistry (outside, maybe, the preparation of mind altering beverages and foods). Why do people talk about it like it was so unexpected and arcane?

(now I have to admit that learning the hows and whys of ancient fiber production techniques is a hobby of mine, but I am always amazed by how people seem shocked at both the skill and creativity the ancients had about things like this.)