Sophia Sotiropoulou is physicist, University of Athens (1991), post graduated in Physical methods in Archaeology and Museography, Univ. of Bordeaux (1993) and PhD in Chemical Engineering at the NTUA (2000). She is devoted to heritage science, conducting research in the development of analytical strategies and optimization of methodologies for the study of a wide range of archaeological materials, artworks and heritage objects or structures. She has been specialized in applying imaging techniques, optical, photometric and spectroscopic methods for the analysis of materials, the study of mechanisms of natural aging and the characterization of paint surfaces (including optical, chemical and visually perceptible properties) of heritage objects.
Education
- 2000, Phd, National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science, Greece
- 1993, D.E.S.S.- “Méthodes Physiques en Archéologie et Muséographie”, BORDEAUX I (Department of Science and Technology), France
- 1993, D.E.A. - “Histoire, Civilisation: Archéologie des mondes antiques”, University of BORDEAUX III (Department of Social and Human Sciences), France
- 1992, D.E.U.G. History of Art, PARIS X NANTERRE (Paris Nanterre University). France
- 1991, Diploma of Physics, Physics Department, School of Sciences, University of Athens, Greece
Career
- 2018 to present, Senior Research Associate, FORTH – Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser(IESL), Greece
- 2010 to present, Assistant Module Coordinator (AMC) at "General Principles of Light, Hellenic Open University (HOU) - School of Applied Arts”- Master course "Lighting Design, Greece
- 1996 to 2017, Senior researcher, “Ormylia” Foundation - Art Diagnosis Centre (OfADC) , GREECE
- 1993 to 1996, Research Associate, N. C. S. R. “Demokritos”, Institute of Materials Science, Laboratory of Archaeometry , Greece
Interests
- Heritage Science
- Colour Science
- Technology of Wall paintings
- Pigments Analysis
- Technical imaging
- Molecular Spectroscopies (microRaman, FTIR)
- XRF elemental analysis
- Ancient Polychromy
- Aegean Prehistory
- Museum Lighting
Review and New Evidence on the Molluscan Purple Pigment Used in the Early Late Bronze Age Aegean Wall Paintings
S. Sotiropoulou, I. Karapanagiotis, K. S. Andrikopoulos, T. Marketou, K. Birtacha, M. Marthar
Heritage, Volume:4, Issue:1, Page:171-187, Year:2021, DOI:doi.org/10.3390/heritage4010010
Advanced analytical investigation on degradation markers in wall paintings
Sophia Sotiropoulou, Giorgia Sciutto, Anna Lluveras Tenorio, Joy Mazurek, Ilaria Bonaduce, Silvia Prati, Rocco Mazzeo, Michael Schilling, Maria Perla Colombini
Microchemical Journal, Volume:139, Page:278-294, Year:2018, DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2018.03.007
A technical step forward in the integration of visible-induced luminescence imaging methods for the study of ancient polychromy
J Dyer, S Sotiropoulou
Heritage Science, Volume:5, Issue:24, Page:1-21, Year:2017, DOI:doi.org/10.1186/s40494-017-0137-2
Ancient encaustic: An experimental exploration of technology, ageing behaviour and approaches to analytical investigation
RJ Stacey, J Dyer, C Mussell, A Lluveras-Tenorio, MP Colombini, Celia Duce, Jacopo La Nasa, Emma Cantisani, S Prati, G Sciutto, R Mazzeo, S Sotiropoulou, F Rosi, C Miliani, L Cartechini, J Mazurek, M Schilling
Microchemical Journal, Volume:138, Page:472-487, Year:2018, DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2018.01.040
The identification of lac as a pigment in ancient Greek polychromy-The case of a Hellenistic oinochoe from Canosa di Puglia
J Dyer, D Tamburini, S Sotiropoulou
Dyes and Pigments, Volume:149, Page:122-132, Year:2018, DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2017.09.062
Micro FTIR imaging for the investigation of deteriorated organic binders in wall painting stratigraphies of different techniques and periods
Sotiropοulou, S., Papliaka, Z., Vaccari, L
Microchemical journal , Volume:124, Page:559-567, Year:2016, DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2015.10.002
Improving FTIR imaging speciation of organic compound residues or their degradation products in wall painting samples, by introducing a new thin section preparation strategy based on cyclododecane pre-treatment
Papliaka, Z.E., Vaccari, L., Zanini, F., Sotiropoulou, S.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Volume:407, Page:5393–5403, Year:2015, DOI:doi.org/10.1007/s00216-015-8698-y
Physicochemical characterization and provenance of colouring materials from Akrotiri-Thera in relation to their archaeological context and application
Sotiropoulou, S., Perdikatsis, V., Birtacha, K., C. Apostolaki,C., Devetzi, A.
Archaeol and Anthropol Sci , Volume:4, Issue:4, Page:263-275, Year:2012, DOI:doi.org/10.1007/s12520-012-0099-y
Lead pigments and related tools at Akrotiri, Thera, Greece. Provenance and application techniques
Sotiropoulou, S., Perdikatsis, V., Apostolaki, Ch., Karydas, A.G., Devetzi, A., Birtacha, K.
Journal of Archaeological Science , Volume:37, Issue:8, Page:1830-1840, Year:2010, DOI:doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.02.001
Material Aspects of Icons. A Review on Physicochemical Studies of Greek Icons
Sophia Sotiropoulou, Sister Daniilia
Accounts of Chemical Research, Volume:43, Issue:6, Page:877–887, Year:2010, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/ar1000082
Using Signal Processing and Semantic Web Technologies to Analyze Byzantine Iconography
G. Karagiannis, K. Vavliakis, S. Sotiropoulou, A. Damtsios, D. Alexiadis, C. Salpistis
IEEE Intelligent Systems , Volume:24, Page:73-81, Year:2009, DOI:doi.org/10.1109/MIS.2009.67
Microanalytical investigation of degradation issues in Byzantine wall paintings
S. Sotiropoulou, Sister Daniilia, C. Miliani, F. Rosi, L. Cartechini, D. Papanikola-Bakirtzis
Applied Physics A , Volume:92, Issue:1, Page:143-150, Year:2008, DOI:doi.org/10.1007/s00339-008-4465-7
X-Radiography in Scientific Examination for the Investigation of Paintings: A Handbook for Conservators-restorers
Sotiropoulou S., Sister Daniilia
Year: 2009
Conchylian Purple Investigation in Prehistoric Wall Paintings of the Aegean Area
S. Sotiropoulou , I. Karapanagiotis
Year: 2006
