According to a statement released by Aarhus University, a team of researchers has created an LED multispectral imaging system (LEDMSI) designed for on-site deployment to inspect locations prior to any digging. Operating with 16 distinct LED bulbs providing 16 separate wavelengths—spanning near-infrared, near ultraviolet, and visible light—the equipment shines a specialized beam across the terrain. Because various elements reflect and absorb illumination differently, this setup uncovers details that typically escape ordinary observation.
Field Testing at Sorte Muld on Bornholm
The initial trial of the apparatus took place on the Danish island of Bornholm at Sorte Muld (meaning “Black Soil”), an Iron Age location, involving investigators such as David Stott of the Moesgaard Museum and Søren Munch Kristiansen from Aarhus University. “The images looked almost psychedelic when we took them, and we only really saw what we had when we analyzed them back at the computer,” Kristiansen said. “Then we could see new layers and changes in the fill that we simply could not see with the naked eye,” he added. Instances of this included the LEDMSI kit detecting a topographical shift that might indicate an interruption in human presence at the location. Subsequent digging will verify whether this assumption holds true.
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Bone Fluorescence and Biomolecular Analysis
In addition, small bone fragments fluoresced under ultraviolet light. Past studies have connected bone glow at historical finds with surviving collagen, which proves advantageous for protein and DNA examinations.
Future Development and Non-Invasive Archaeology
Further trials and refinements for the LEDMSI apparatus remain ongoing by the group. To read about another application of multispectral imaging to assess how an artifact was made, go to “World’s Oldest Book,” one of ARCHAEOLOGY’s Top 10 Discoveries of 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LEDMSI system?
As detailed in an announcement by Aarhus University, investigators have built an LED multispectral imaging setup (LEDMSI) that analysts can deploy outdoors to review areas prior to excavation work. To achieve this, the apparatus relies on 16 distinct LED wavelengths, encompassing near ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectrums.
Where was the system first tested?
Initial field trials of the setup occurred at the Danish island of Bornholm’s Iron Age Sorte Muld (translated as “Black Soil”) settlement, involving personnel like David Stott representing the Moesgaard Museum alongside Søren Munch Kristiansen of Aarhus University.
How does ultraviolet light help find bones?
In addition, small bone fragments fluoresced under ultraviolet light. Earlier scientific literature has associated the luminescence of excavated skeletal remains with collagen preservation, an attribute beneficial for protein and DNA testing.
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