Posters will be on display in the AIC Exhibit Hall on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30. Poster authors will be at their poster for a Q&A session on Friday, May 30, at 3:30pm.
Banner photo by Lane Pelovsky, Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis
The process of redefining artifacts is a fundamental aspect of archaeology, as it aims to correct and update previous understandings about the origins and history of artifacts based on new scientific evidence. The need to redefine the history of an artifact may arise due to advancements in academic knowledge or the emergence of advanced analytical techniques that reveal previously unavailable information. Accordingly, the study aims to redefine the historical origin of a World War II military suit, which was officially documented as an American military uniform. a set of tests and analysis were used for this purpose, which included photographic documentation, pigment analysis, fiber inspection, and examinations of the textile fibers and cufflinks using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray analysis, as well as tracing the historical origins of inscriptions on the metal cufflinks and a dagger found with the suit, the study revealed compelling evidence refuting its American origin. Conversely, the results confirmed the German origins of the suit, from the design and fabric types to the inscriptions that affirm its German manufacturing source. This pivotal shift not only corrects the historical record but also enhances our understanding of artifact authenticity
