October 30, 2026

by Dominique Langis-Barsetti

Supported by a grant from the Kathleen and David Boochever Endowment for Fieldwork and Scientific Analyses , Dominique Langis-Barsetti and the Kerkenes team are applying advanced scientific techniques to investigate new, puzzling discoveries from the Iron Age city. Below, Dominique shares how microscopic analysis, portable X-ray fluorescence, and innovative imaging techniques are offering new insights into craftsmanship at Kerkenes.

“All that glitters is not gold.” Shakespeare knew it over 400 years ago, and this summer the Kerkenes team took a very scientific approach to the same conclusion. We also took the opportunity to explore the slightly lesser-known aphorism “All that is blue is not Egyptian.”

Our deep dive into things blue, and yellow and shiny started with a puzzling discovery during the 2025 field season.…