Today, new equipment for research was inaugurated at Umeå University’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (MAL), featuring an advanced NIR camera from HySpex along with the industry leading software from Prediktera.
The solution is capable of capturing near-infrared wavelengths that are beyond the human eye’s perception. This innovative technology, commonly used by our customers in industries like forestry and food, allows for the chemical analysis of organic materials and minerals.
Johan Linderholm, MAL’s co-director, highlights the camera’s dual functionality—suitable for both fieldwork and laboratory settings. In archaeology, this presents new opportunities for on-the-spot diagnostics of soil, sediment layers, and archaeological sites as they are unearthed.
Traditionally, samples are collected and stored until the investigation concludes. However, the hyperspectral camera enables partial analysis in the field, offering early insights into excavation sites. The collected images provide richer information than standard color photographs, significantly enhancing documentation.
Linderholm emphasizes the importance of better documentation in archaeology, where source materials are inherently destroyed when using other destructive analysis methods. The ability to reevaluate archaeological studies in the future hinges on improved documentation methods.
Regarding MAL’s work, Linderholm notes that the new equipment will contribute to archaeological research on soil-sediment and typical materials like bones, ceramics, stones, and rock art. This technological addition strengthens MAL’s role in providing expertise and technology to the entire archaeological community in Sweden.
The project received support from Kempestiftelserna, a foundation that previously has backed MAL with such resources. Collaborators include the Department of Biomass Technology and Chemistry (BTK) at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Jonatan Klaminder at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, the software company Prediktera, and the main supplier, HySpex.
Original story published at Umeå University website: https://www.umu.se/nyheter/ny-utrustning-ska-underlatta-arkeologiska-analyser-_11774324/
