The Edelstein Center for the Analysis of Ancient Textiles and Related Artifacts

The Edelstein Center was founded by the late Dr. Sidney M. Edelstein, Chairman of the Board of Dexter Chemical Corporation of New York, a member of the International Board of Governors of Shenkar College and a philanthropist who was deeply involved in Israeli institutions and the country's archaeological textile treasures.
The Center utilizes sophisticated analytical chemical instrumentation with the most up to date equipment in the field such as High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer, and Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) to help extract historically important information regarding the technologies, textile dyes and artists’ pigments associated with ancient colorants of various periods. In the field of conservation science, new materials for the preservation of organic artifacts have been formulated and analyzed.
Research in these areas has been undertaken in cooperation with antiquities authorities, archeology departments and museums both in Israel and abroad. Analysis of the chemical data and of the historical record assists in revealing the origins of the textiles, colorants and dyeing techniques. This knowledge contributes ultimately to the understanding of how our ancestors lived and adds greatly to comprehending our national heritage. In the Judaic-historical area, such analyses will help to decipher the mysteries associated with the sources and true colors of the biblical textile dyes – tekhelet, argaman, and tola'at shani.
In a relatively short period of time, the Edelstein Center has made a major impact in the field of archaeological science. It plays a prominent role among international archaeologists, museum curators, and scientists involved with ancient dyes, pigments, and organic artifacts.
The director of the Edelstein Center is Professor Zvi Koren. For further details, please contact zvi@shenkar.ac.il