Techniques for the Extraction of Vibrational Signature: A New Method of Pottery Shard Identification

Abstract

Pottery shards are conventionally classified based on their color, surface texture, density, thickness, curvature, material, and shape. We previously reported a method of identifying pottery shards based on their vibrational characteristics with ultrasound stimulation. We now detail the experimental procedure necessary for the extraction of such signatures. With the method of rapid and inexpensive vibrational signature extraction and comparison to a known database library, the technique provides a potential method of onsite shard identification.