Computed Tomography and Computed Radiography of Late Bronze Age Cremation Urns From Denmark: An Interdisciplinary Attempt to Develop Methods Applied in Bioarchaeological Cremation Research

Abstract

To improve the methods used to study prehistoric cremation rituals, cremation urns from the Danish Late Bronze Age were examined using computed tomography and computed radiography (digital X-ray). During micro-excavation, the digital images were used as a registration tool. Our results suggest that osteological ageing and sexing are more accurate when combining CT images with excavated remains. Digital volume rendering further enables a compromised estimation of the original cremation weight. Micro-excavation is clearly a primary cause of bone fragmentation. Cremated remains affected by lower cremation intensity show markedly poorer preservation and recovery than do white calcined fragments. Thus postexcavation estimations of cremation intensity are systematically biased.

Virtual taphonomy: A new method integrating excavation and postprocessing in an archaeological context

“…a grave or the like) have been implemented in the last decade by way of different approaches. CT scanning and digital X-ray of urns containing cremated human remains recovered from archaeological contexts have recently been explored in order to study taphonomy, including the spatial relations of the bones (Harvig et al, 2012) in a secondary archaeological context (the pyre being primary and the urn secondary). In a forensic setting, Richard Wright has developed the software Bodies 3D, aimed at reconstructing the 3D disposition of the bones by means of simple geometries creating 3D representations of human remains in a 3D environment (Wright, 2012).…”

La tomographie, l’impression 3D et la réalité virtuelle au service de l’archéologie

“…Les exemples de son application au patrimoine culturel portent essentiellement sur des momies et des squelettes humains ou animaux (Houle-Wierzbicki et al, 2015 ;Xiujie et al 2009 ;Ikram et al 2015), ou sur des objets exceptionnels (Mödlinger 2008 ;Hassmann et al 2012) ; peu de travaux examinent les autres types de mobilier (Huisman et al 2014;Lee et al 2008 ;Treyvaud 2010 ;Treyvaud et al 2013). Ces dernières années, l'usage de cette technologie s'est néanmoins développé dans le domaine d'étude des incinérations (Anderson & Fell 1995 ;Harvig et al 2012 ;Harvig & Lynnerup 2013 ;Le Puil-Texier et al 2015 ;Minozzi et al 2010) et lors de découvertes d'ensembles particulièrement complexes nécessitant des prélèvements en « bloc », souvent en lien avec des opérations de conservation ou de fouilles complexes (Stelzner et al 2010 ;Re et al 2015). Le plus souvent, les outils associés à la tomodensitométrie sont utilisés uniquement pour créer des rendus graphiques 2D.…”

Studies of Ancient Russian Cultural Objects Using the Neutron Tomography Method

“…The non-destructive character of the neutron radiography and tomography method has prompted the rising interest in studying rare archaeological items and museum rarities, especially metallic artifacts, weapons and ancient jewelry [9][10][11]. It should be emphasized that neutron radiography and tomography have been successfully used to analyze relatively large bronze objects of the Roman period [9], arms from medieval Europe and Japan [10], lead sculptures, and urns [11].…”

“…It should be emphasized that neutron radiography and tomography have been successfully used to analyze relatively large bronze objects of the Roman period [9], arms from medieval Europe and Japan [10], lead sculptures, and urns [11]. The obtained structural information allows one to understand the cultural origin of an object, determining a technological approach and strategies for future preservation or restoration of the cultural heritage items.…”