Light as a tool: Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) as a conservation tool for the sustainable digital documentation of archaeological objects.

The paper presents Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a photographic digitisation technique, from a conservation perspective. By using varying directions of illumination, RTI creates an interactive, high-resolution representation of an object’s surface, making even the finest traces of workmanship, inscriptions and material alterations visible.

From a conservation perspective, RTI offers considerable potential for sustainable practice. It enables precise, non-invasive documentation, produces data that remain interpretable over the long term through the use of open formats, and supports interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, the method can be applied using relatively simple equipment.

The presentation explains the technical principles of RTI and its integration into conservation workflows. Practical examples demonstrate how RTI can be used for condition assessment, damage analysis and documentation. Finally, the requirements for data management and archiving are discussed in order to integrate RTI sustainably into archaeological documentation strategies.

RTI thus serves as an example of a digital method that promotes a forward-looking and responsible approach to cultural heritage.