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MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

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National Museum of the American Indian<br />

<strong>MCI</strong> 6065.2 Conquering Warrior Figurine<br />

<strong>MCI</strong> Staff: Mel J. Wachowiak, Ron H. Cunningham<br />

This piece is a famous Cahokia-style figurine which has been well published. Though<br />

long-known to be restored, the extent of restoration is very unclear because of heavy overpaint.<br />

Previously, PIMA (portable infrared mineral analyzer) was used on this piece and identified<br />

areas of plaster restoration. In November 2006, <strong>MCI</strong> did X-rays that showed a number of strange<br />

restoration materials used in the piece, possibly lead, other metal pins and some corrugated<br />

material (reference <strong>MCI</strong> 6065.1), but it is still hard to define what is original flint clay, and what<br />

is plaster. By using various imaging processes, digital X-ray, 3-D scanning, IR or UV<br />

photography and other techniques as needed, and perhaps using other spectroscopic techniques<br />

to define edges restoration/original, the extent of restoration, including fills and overpaint would<br />

be determined. Information will be used to benefit future art historical and archaeological<br />

analysis, and potentially to justify modification of the current restoration.<br />

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