X ‐Ray Radiography

Abstract

X‐ray radiography is a non‐destructive imaging technique widely used in the study of archaeological finds and works of art. It is capable of revealing the internal structure of objects thanks to the differential absorption of X‐rays as they pass through the matter. Radiograph contrast is determined by the radiation energy and the chemical composition, thickness, and density of the object examined. Radiography is a fast and versatile method: it can be applied with satisfactory results to most materials, including ceramics, stone, metal objects, and organic items, such as wood, textiles, and human remains. It is of great importance for the examination of cultural materials, because it can answer many questions about the manufacture, function, and conservation status of an object. However, a limitation of conventional radiography is that the information obtained is not depth‐resolved, as the 3D structure of the analyzed object is projected onto a 2D detector. To overcome this limitation, X‐ray computed tomography has been introduced and is being increasingly used in cultural heritage studies.