Terahertz meets sculptural and architectural art: Evaluation and conservation of stone objects with T-ray technology

Terahertz radiation emerges as a powerful non-invasive tool for evaluating and monitoring the conservation of stone objects, offering unprecedented insights into their internal structure without causing damage. This study demonstrates its efficacy by assessing two art pieces: a medallion from the Castle of Celle and a window sill from the St. Peter Cathedral in Trier. Using terahertz spectroscopy, researchers successfully mapped internal damage states and tracked the restoration process of the window sill, highlighting its potential as a transformative method for cultural heritage conservation.

Krügener, K., Schwerdtfeger, M., Busch, S. F., Soltani, A., Castro-Camus, E., Koch, M., & Viöl, W. (2015). Terahertz meets sculptural and architectural art: Evaluation and conservation of stone objects with T-ray technology. Scientific Reports, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep14842