The Science of Art History

Inside the inner hall of the tomb of Menna, Hartwig's team use state-of-the-art archaeometric techniques to analyze the pigments used to decorate the tomb. Photos reproduced by permission of the American Research Center in Egypt, Inc. These images document work done with the support of the American People through a grant from USAID.

Associate professor of Egyptian art and archaeology Melinda Hartwig at the Giza Necropolis.

In Egypt, the burial places and the works of art within them form masterpieces that have stood the test of millennia. But even after centuries of work by historians and archaeologists, many mysteries remain.

Using modern scientific tools and a knowledge of art history, Melinda Hartwig is taking part in modern-day efforts to explore and understand how this ancient civilization created artwork and architecture that still have relevance today.

Her work as an associate professor of Egyptian art and archaeology has taken her far afield, from the great pyramids to the site of her most recent efforts, the Tomb of Menna, located in Egypt's Theban Necropolis. There, she looked at the vibrant hues decorating the tomb of a tax collector.

Using spectroscopy and other tools, combined with visual analysis, she and her team discovered how the artists worked along the walls, sometimes starting on one end and then painting over the section with plaster to start over again.

"It became clear that, yes, there was an aspect of mass production, but by and large, there was a sense that each artist had their own 'signature,'" said Hartwig. "Even though Egyptian artists were anonymous, that was revealed through different pigment mixtures."

Because the Tomb of Menna has heavy traffic from tourists, Hartwig's team has made improvements to protect the art. Hartwig's work also has brought her to television audiences on the Science Channel, where she recently co-hosted a two-part special on the ancient architecture of Egypt and Rome.

"The amount of effort that went into building the structures in Egypt is just mind boggling today, and for the Romans, their architecture was all about the display of power," she said. "These are the roots of our architectural tradition and our heritage."