| Popis: |
In 2001 the Department of Classics acquired pieces from the Diniacopolous family collection, along with a large number of coins. The majority of these coins were minted in Alexandria and vary in dates from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine period with the bulk from the Roman Imperial Period date range. While some of the coins are in decent condition and their legends and reliefs can be read with the naked eye, most require the use of imaging technology in order to be identified. This presentation will discuss results of a project currently underway to image the coins using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a cost effective technique, which has also been used by the department at Cataraqui Cemetery to recover eroded tombstone inscriptions. While some coins were extensively eroded and thus could not be classified, the technique showed impressive results allowing most coins to be identified and dated. The presentation will also outline how RTI can be used in education, as bags of coins can be cheaply acquired by educators, thus allowing students at the primary and secondary school level to actively participate in deciphering corroded coins. This project demonstrates that RTI can be applied to a wide range of artefacts and is a valuable tool in preserving cultural heritage. |
