Light microscopy methods allowed us to study minute samples removed from the sculptures. Using known materials for comparison, we could identify unknown substances.
Reflected and transmitted light magnified features of the materials as much as one hundred times. More specialized microscopy techniques that use polarized and ultraviolet light enabled us to identify textile fibers, lacquer layers, lacquer inclusions, and pigments. For example, we now know that the textile is hemp.
Here, a scientist identifies textile fibers under the polarized light microscope.
Image by Donna Strahan, Freer|Sackler