The Jerusalem Institute for Research and Digital Documentation of Cultural Heritage recently attended the annual conference of the Israel Society for the Conservation and Preservation of Cultural Property, in which Prof. Caine presented a lecture on The Principle of Decorrelation Stretching.

Decorrelation stretching is a technique used to enhance color separation in an image, especially in cases where color differences are subtle and difficult to distinguish. The method does not improve color quality but rather distorts the colors in a way that makes it easier to differentiate between similar shades. The process is applied to a digital image of the item without direct contact with the original.

This technique is particularly useful for analyzing ancient or faded artworks, such as rock art and old murals, where colors have deteriorated over time. It allows for the revelation of details that are not visible to the naked eye, aids in understanding the techniques and materials used by the creators, and supports preservation efforts by highlighting hidden features within the artwork.