Preliminary Multi-Band Imaging Investigation on Items from the Aga Khan III Necropolis, Aswan (Egypt)

This study is aimed at the investigation of several items, including fragments of cartonnages, coming from the Aga Khan III necropolis, in West Aswan (Egypt). This preliminary analysis campaign, whose final goal would be the characterisation of the materials used for making and decorating the findings, was performed by means of multi-band imaging technique. The on-site measurements were performed by using portable instrumentation consisting of a modified camera equipped with different excitation sources and specific filters. The captured multi-band images have allowed the formulation of some preliminary but insightful considerations on the chemical nature of the pigments employed. Especially, the characteristic fluorescence of Egyptian blue, detected by means of VIL (Visible Induced Luminescence) technique, permitted both highlighting its presence/absence on the decorated surfaces and obtaining some fascinating and unique images of the objects on which that pigment was used.