Reflectance transformation imaging: First applications in cultural heritage in Argentina

Abstract

In this article we present two cases of Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) applications. This computational photographic method, based on the acquisition and processing of images, helps to reveal details of the surface of an object that are not visible by direct observation or by standard photography. In the first case, RTI was applied to faunal bone remains that were found during archaeological rescue tasks in Laguna de los Pampas, Province of Buenos Aires. The RTI analysis of these remains with traces of manufacturing and/or use has increased the knowledge of bone technology for this area. In the other case, RTI was applied to a funerary column of the Recoleta Cemetery, located in the city of Buenos Aires, in order to recover the low relief recorded on it. In this way it was possible to rescue the historical and heritage value of the vault.