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<p>In 1990, the late ancient historian Mortimer Chambers conducted a study in which a laser beam was used to make a worn inscription visible by shining it through a 19 cm-thick marble block from behind. The study on the Egesta decree (IG I<sup>3</sup> 11) was quickly criticised: ‘Through a laser beam darkly.’ To replicate and contextualise Chambers’ observations, this study first examines a 4th-century AD epitaph in a laboratory setting using modern optical and non-destructive testing methods, and then apply the most practical methods to the decree at the Epigraphic Museum in Athens. The workflow combines reflectance transformation imaging, ultraviolet fluorescence, near-infrared reflectography and transmission, and active thermography to clarify a long-standing debate in epigraphy methodology. This study demonstrates that easy-to-use, cost-effective IR/UV tools can deliver interpretable results for analysing the Egesta decree.</p>

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Through a laser beam darkly—attempting a reassessment using optical diagnostics in epigraphy

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Gregor Diez,
  • Matthias Diez,
  • Jakob Woisetschläger

摘要

In 1990, the late ancient historian Mortimer Chambers conducted a study in which a laser beam was used to make a worn inscription visible by shining it through a 19 cm-thick marble block from behind. The study on the Egesta decree (IG I3 11) was quickly criticised: ‘Through a laser beam darkly.’ To replicate and contextualise Chambers’ observations, this study first examines a 4th-century AD epitaph in a laboratory setting using modern optical and non-destructive testing methods, and then apply the most practical methods to the decree at the Epigraphic Museum in Athens. The workflow combines reflectance transformation imaging, ultraviolet fluorescence, near-infrared reflectography and transmission, and active thermography to clarify a long-standing debate in epigraphy methodology. This study demonstrates that easy-to-use, cost-effective IR/UV tools can deliver interpretable results for analysing the Egesta decree.