Identification of Precious Artefacts and Stones: Th e Sonic Imprint

This paper presents a new non-invasive methodology useful to univocally identify 3D rigid and elastic objects, particularly lapideous and ceramic artefacts and stones, by means of retrieving their capabilities to vibrate when stressed by artificial sources. A new instrument has been arranged to apply the methodology to large pieces in situ; it is provided with 16 piezotite sensors (Murata pads, Piezotite non-resonant type, 6CC-10-3R9-1000), while another instrument is being prepared to test the vibrations of small stones, using a triggered tweeter as source and a small laser remote sensor to measure the vibrations of the stones.