Artifact Authentication useing the IR Laser Raman Spectrometer

by Bill Breckinridge

The Infrared Laser Spectrometer is the latest and most powerful tool for verifying the authenticity of artifacts. It is a quick, nondestructive technique which works well on most durable materials. Flint, quartzite, slate, hardstone, obsidian, catlinite, all can be quickly and reliably evaluated. The process uses patented technology unavailable off the shelf; and, other spectrometers will not preform the same functions. At this time (8/21/08) there are two units operating, both in the United States.

The information collected by the spectrometer is displayed as a graph. These graphs are then compared to a database of similar materials, allowing the operator to draw conclusions as to the authenticity, and even the age of the surface tested. Artifical patinas and chemical applications do not interfere with the scans. In fact, the spectrometer will usually identify the composition of the coating. This same ability to display spectrographic information provides a double check as to the identity of the lithic material used in the artifact's manufacture.

While details of graph interpretation are proprietary information, the principle is easy to grasp. Scan a real artifact. Scan a fake artifact. Scan YOUR artifact. Does yours look like scan one (authentic) or like scan two (modern reproduction)? This scientific process is far superior to the error prone "in my opinion" method.