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Eleni Kotoula

I earned my BSc in Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art from the Technological Educational Institution of Athens in 2007. My BSc thesis was dealing with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) monitoring of the artificial ageing of commercial acrylic and vinyl adhesives/consolidants, in the form of thin films on glass as well as applied on clay mortars. In 2008 I transferred to the MSc in Archaeological Computing (Virtual Pasts), University of Southampton. My MSc thesis was focused on virtual reconstruction and ageing analysis of a glass, an enamelled metal and a painted ceramic from the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Southampton. I further developed my skills in Hawk University of Applied Sciences and Arts - Hornemann Institute, Germany, following a continuing education programme for professional conservators in 2009. In 2010 I started my PhD, which examines the application of computer graphics in conservation-restoration of artefacts. I am working either as museum conservator (painted surfaces, wood, bone, metal, glass, stone, ceramic) or in monuments and archaeological sites (wall painting, mortar, stone, mosaics) since 2004. My working experience includes cooperation with museums, cultural organizations and research centres in Greece, such as: The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) KH' Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Amphipolis ΚΖ’ Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Makrigialos Archaeological Institute of Macedonian and Thracian Studies, Thessaloniki 8th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, Ioannina Institute of Nuclear Physics, NCSR Demokritos, Athens Building Materials Laboratory, School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Art Diagnosis Centre Foundation Ormylia, Chalkidiki American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Pylos      

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Ultraviolet RTI

A painted and incised ceramic vessel was used as case study in an attempt to evaluate the efficiency of Reflected UV (UVR) RTI and UV induced visible fluorescence (UVF) RTI. The Highlight RTI data capture took place at the archaeological imaging laboratory of the University of Southampton, using a UV-VIS-IR modified DSLR camera, adequate filters and lighting. The reflected UV-RTI datasets were captured with a UV transmitter and an IR barrier filter. Continue reading →

Papyrus RTI case study

The Derveni tombs discovered in 1962 close to Thessaloniki in North Greece are considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in northern Greece because of their numerous rich grave offerings and their important location in the ancient Mygdonian city of Lete, on the pass of Via Egnatia. The cemetery comprises seven graves, and according to the excavation publication dates to 320–290 BC. Continue reading →

Icons RTI case study

Icons: Production  techniques and examination methodology Icon or ikon from Greek eikōn is a representation of a sacred or sanctified Christian personage used in religious worship in the Russian or Greek Orthodox Church. The production of icons has been described by the monk Dionisios ek Fourna in 1728-1733. Icons are typically painted on a wooden panel with the egg tempera painting technique, over a layer of gypsum and glue (preparation layer). Continue reading →

Transmitted RTI

Following our successful experimentation with microscopic RTI and multispectral RTI, we develop a transmitted RTI methodology, inspired by transmitted photography, a set-up proposed for conservation documentation of translucent materials, canvas paintings, mounded papyri, photographic material, and works of art on paper or archival material. The transmitted RTI provides an enhanced RTI visualisation, complementary to reflected visible and infrared RTI. Continue reading →

FCIR Imaging

The False Colour Infrared (FCIR) is based on the different response of materials in infrared radiation and combines visible RGB colour and infrared imaging. It has been used for materials differentiation and characterization, especially for painted works of art and pigments research. Continue reading →

RTI & Numismatics Conservation

RTI is considered to be a powerful documentation tool for cultural heritage applications. Previous work in the field of RTI in numismatic studies demonstrated advantages in identification and documentation issues in comparison to traditional approaches, as well as improved communication and dissemination abilities (Mudge et al. 2005; Gabov and Bevan 2011). Continue reading →

Microscopic RTI

To fully appreciate the application of RTI in conservation practice, one should take into consideration conservation needs for limited human-object interaction, high quality and affordable visual analysis, microscopic levels of detail and advanced documentation. There is no doubt that methodological developments are necessary in order to meet those needs. One of the most obvious of these, even from the earlier stages of our research, was the microscopic level of detail required for conservation. Continue reading →