Reliability and accuracy of the spectroscopic method

Almost all scientific, manual and optical methods for the ascertainment of authenticity require samples of the material to be examined. These samples are normally very small, weighing only a few milligrams, and their volume cannot be compared to the volumes of material destroyed by insects, worms, corrosion, accidents etc.
Whereas "natural" damage is often considered  proof of the presumed age, the taking of samples for ascertaining the authenticity of an art object is considered an act of aggression against human culture. Obviously these conflicting standpoints are not based on cultural considerations.

The use of old wood can be detected quickly and easily by comparing the spectroscopic results of the outer layer of the wood with those of wood taken from inside the object.
The surface of an object undergoes a much stronger chemical transformation because it is exposed to daylight, humidity and impurities in the air. If objects are fakes, the results of the two analyses are more or less identical, depending on when they were made.

It is normal to pose this kind of doubt. But wood is a very complex organic material known for its extraordinary resistance to water and heat.
The ability of a part of the wood material to withstand atmospheric agents has been demonstrated, moreover, by amber and by shipwrecks thousands of years old found at the bottom of the sea. Amber is a resin which, even after spending more than 200 million years in sea and river-beds or moist earth, looks very much like fresh resin. The timbers of ancient ships have also maintained the shape and appearance of old wood.
Measurements and comparisons of the spectra of old and young material taken from the abovementioned examples have shown that there are wood molecules whose behaviour is absolutely unrelated to external environmental factors.
These are the molecules which are used for spectroscopic dating.

The possibility that material has been manipulated must always be borne in mind whenever determining the authenticity of an object, and was our chief concern during early experiments with spectroscopic dating.
Also in the case of spectroscopy, the wood material proved to be extremely resistant to heat and moisture. This characteristic has been known and documented for a long time (see for example "Holztechnologie" 23, 1982).
Repeated measurements taken over the years by the laboratory to verify the influence of humidity and temperatures of up to 180° C have demonstrated that treatment of the wood aimed at accelerating its ageing does not significantly affect the age of the molecules selected for measurement.
Temperatures of over 180° C modify the entire spectrum.

The Matthaes Foundation is in a position to acquire the most modern instruments and apply the most suitable methods.
The laboratory's current equipment permits the achievement of optimum results.

Spectroscopic dating is carried out with instruments which are basic equipment for the chemical industry and the health and research sectors.
The greatest costs were incurred during the development of the method dedicated for many years to the spectroscopic identification of the many different wood types and molecules or groups of molecules suitable for dating purposes.
These costs were borne by the Matthaes Foundation.
Today a spectroscopic dating costs about as much as a normal medical examination.

Statistics tell us that about 60% of the antiques existing in the world are not authentic. Consequently 60% of dating should statistically not correspond to the presumed age. The fault is often attributed to the method.