Fakebusters: Authentication of Art and Artifacts

3 units

How do scientists determine the authenticity and origin of artifacts and pieces of art when accurate written records are not available? This course will examine the methods scientists use to determine how objects were made, where the materials came from, how they can be fingerprinted and how old they are. Examples such as ruby and diamond gemstones; the dinosaur Sue, at the Field Museum; adulterated vintage wines; forged Vermeer paintings; and Piltdown Man will be discussed. This is a course for non-science majors.