Late Preclassic Inscription Documentation Project

Project Design and Methods

The procedure involves the following six steps: (i) photograph scanning and processing, (ii) enlarged laser printout, (iii) field notes and sketching, (iv) inking of drawing, (v) scanning of drawing, and (vi) publishing of drawing in printed and online media.

First, a photograph of the text is scanned at high resolution, and the image is enhanced (increasing focus or sharpness) as needed (Figure 6). (I have used Adobe Photoshop for the imaging process). Starting out with a black-and-white photograph (i.e., grayscale), if the incised glyphs are dark (e.g., filled in with red or black pigment) and surrounded by a lighter surface (e.g., light green mineral), an enlarged-scale laser printout is produced at this point. However, if the incisions are light (e.g., white pigment) and surrounded by a darker surface (e.g., dark green mineral), the image is first inverted into its negative, so the incisions become dark and easier to see through tracing paper (Figure 7). If a color photograph is used, it may be useful to scan the photograph in color rather than grayscale; once scanned, it is possible (with Adobe Photoshop) to view the image under different filters: Red, Blue, Green, and RGB (all three). If the incised glyphs are filled in with red pigment, for example, applying the Blue filter may enhance the contrast and make for a more suitable image. Inverting the image to its negative may also improve the contrast, as in the case with grayscale photographs.

Then, an enlarged laser printout is produced. The enlarged printout is taped to a portable drawing board, and tracing paper is taped on top of the printout. Using a pencil, loupes of different magnifications, and ideally one or two separate portable or movable light sources, the inscription is sketched through first-hand examination of the artifact. The sketching is done on the tracing paper that lies on top of the enlarged printout of the photograph of the text (Figure 8). The light sources allow one to enhance the light-shadow contrasts of incisions, when applied at oblique angles with respect to the inscribed surface, and from different directions (i.e., raking light assist). Gloves (cotton or disposable latex) should be used when handling the object.

Later, an enlarged photocopy or laser printout of the field drawing of the text is produced (Figure 9). Tracing paper is taped on top of the photocopy or printout, and the drawing is traced with ink using a light table. The images produced (photographic and line art) are scanned and ready for on-line publication, or photocopied for dissemination by other means (Figure 10). One of the aims of this interim report is to fulfill this last step.

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