We are pleased to announce a new, online edition of the NICAS colloquium on Thursday 24 April 2025 from 12.00 to 13.00 hrs. The colloquium will take place online through Microsoft Teams. Throughout the year, NICAS organises a bi-weekly Colloquium consisting of two short research lectures. It provides researchers with the opportunity to present ideas for, updates on or results of their activities. The NICAS Colloquium allows people to stay informed on a regular basis about the latest developments and results of research and to exchange information and expertise.
The Chair of this colloquium is Margriet van Eikema Hommes (RCE) and this week’s presentation is by Paulina Krupska Wolas (TU Delft and MNK Krakow).
► Paulina Krupska Wolas – Gold of the North: Nondestructive Investigation of Heritage Amber Objects
Abstract
This study presents a multi-modal analytical strategy integrating imaging and spectroscopic techniques for the non-invasive characterization and conservation assessment of heritage amber artifacts. Analytical photography under visible (Vis), ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR) light enables preliminary material differentiation, with UV imaging confirming amber, shellac, and resin fillings based on characteristic fluorescence. Reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS) in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) range further distinguishes materials, identifies conservation interventions, and reveals original colors obscured by degradation.
Complementary point-based analyses using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) provide elemental and molecular characterization. XRF identifies pigments in restoration materials, while confocal Raman spectroscopy determines amber composition, evaluates degradation layers, and detects protective coatings and fillings. Examination of diverse artifacts reveals conservation materials such as epoxy resins, nitrocellulose, and polymer-based amber composites. This integrated approach enhances the understanding of historical restoration practices and informs advanced conservation strategies for amber heritage objects.
Bio
Paulina Krupska-Wolas began her PhD studies in 2021. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on the use of neural networks for material identification of historic objects using VNIR/SWIR reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS) and XRF macrospectroscopy (MA-XRF). She graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science at AGH University of Science and Technology, specializing in imaging techniques and biometrics. Since 2018, she has been working with the Laboratory of Analysis and Non-Destructive Investigation of Heritage Objects at the National Museum in Krakow, Poland. She examines heritage objects using RIS and MA-XRF to provide insights into the materials and techniques employed. She is proficient in multivariate data analysis and advanced statistical methods for both imaging and point spectroscopic data.
Project team
Paulina Krupska-Wolas,1, 2, Anna Ryguła1, Anna Klisińska-Kopacz1, Tomasz Wilkosz1, Michał Obarzanowski1, Julio M. del Hoyo-Meléndez1
1The Laboratory of Analysis and Nondestructive Investigation of Heritage Objects LANBOZ, the National Museum in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
2Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland