Entering into the visitor center at the Hearst Castle, we Entering into the visitor center at the Hearst Castle, we were led through a dark room. My first glimpse of the were led through a dark room. My first glimpse of the

sarcophagus was this image.sarcophagus was this image.

Nine Muses is a 3Nine Muses is a 3rdrd Century (230 A.D.) Marble Roman Century (230 A.D.) Marble Roman Sarcophagus.Sarcophagus.

It contains 9 Goddesses of creative inspiration, Apollo It contains 9 Goddesses of creative inspiration, Apollo as the deceased and Athena, Goddess of Wisdom on as the deceased and Athena, Goddess of Wisdom on

the front with the front with

Ulysses listening to the Sirens on the sides.Ulysses listening to the Sirens on the sides.

Although 50 of these 9 Muse sarcophaguses were Although 50 of these 9 Muse sarcophaguses were carved, this is the only one in the world remaining in carved, this is the only one in the world remaining in

this well preserved condition.this well preserved condition.

Zdravko Barov is one of the world’s most renouned Zdravko Barov is one of the world’s most renouned scientists in conservation of ancient arts. scientists in conservation of ancient arts.

Dr. Dane Jones heads the Chemistry and Biochemistry Dr. Dane Jones heads the Chemistry and Biochemistry at Cal Poly and is in charge of restoration of the at Cal Poly and is in charge of restoration of the

sarcophagus for Hearst Castle.sarcophagus for Hearst Castle.

Apollo Apollo

and Athenaand Athena

Apollo’s head remains Apollo’s head remains

uncarved until someone uncarved until someone

buys the sarcophagus.buys the sarcophagus.

Since the hair is Since the hair is

unfinished, it has beenunfinished, it has been

suggested that the suggested that the

consumer ran out of consumer ran out of

money.money.

The marble consists of The marble consists of Ca carbonates, sulfates Ca carbonates, sulfates and hydroxides. and hydroxides. Through analysis of the Through analysis of the marble, they have been marble, they have been able to trace back to able to trace back to the actual quarry in the actual quarry in Greece where the Greece where the marble originated.marble originated.

The tiny red lines under the eye could be pigment from The tiny red lines under the eye could be pigment from the 3the 3rdrd Century; the NITON XLt can confirm this. Century; the NITON XLt can confirm this.

Dr. Jones points out a patch of white pigment, also to Dr. Jones points out a patch of white pigment, also to be analyzed.be analyzed.

Luke, a student at Cal Poly interested in XRF, analyzes Luke, a student at Cal Poly interested in XRF, analyzes the white pigment.the white pigment.

He then analyzes a spot without pigment.He then analyzes a spot without pigment.

The sarcophagus appeared to be completely painted at The sarcophagus appeared to be completely painted at one time with a copper-like tint.one time with a copper-like tint.

There were also small specs of black pigment on the There were also small specs of black pigment on the front of the sarcophagus.front of the sarcophagus.

Dr. Jones collects additional data to be downloaded Dr. Jones collects additional data to be downloaded into Grams Spectroscopy Software that can be used as into Grams Spectroscopy Software that can be used as

an engine for manipulating and displaying mass an engine for manipulating and displaying mass spectral data.spectral data.

The NITON XLt confirms immediately that the pigment The NITON XLt confirms immediately that the pigment contains Sr, Pb, Zn and Fe - all elements available in contains Sr, Pb, Zn and Fe - all elements available in

the 3the 3rdrd Century! Century!

A complete report of A complete report of the analysis of the data the analysis of the data will be available in the will be available in the near future.near future.