X-Ray Tomography Studies of Prehistoric Ceramic Artifacts

Abstract

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful non-destructive technique that can yield interesting structural information not discernible through visual examination only. This paper presents the results of the CT scans of four objects belonging to the Romanian cultural heritage attributed to the Vinča, Cucuteni and Cruceni-Belegiš cultures. The study was performed with an X-ray tomographic device developed at the Department for Applied Nuclear Physics from Horia Hulubei National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering in Măgurele, Romania. This apparatus was specially designed for archaeometric studies of low-Z artifacts: ceramic, wood, bone. The tomographic investigations revealed the internal configuration of the objects and provided information about the degree to which the previous manipulations affected the archaeological items. Based on the X-ray images resulting from the CT scans, hints about the techniques used in the manufacturing of the artifacts were obtained, as well as some indications useful for conservation/restoration purposes.

Identifying the chaîne opératoire of prehistoric clay figurines using experimental archeology and imaging methods

“…During the last few decades, imaging methods such as radiography and X-ray CT have been increasingly applied in archaeological research. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] These techniques reveal details about the internal structure of the artefacts that cannot be otherwise discovered except through destructive investigations. If the inner structure of an object can be determined, speculations about the way it was manufactured, as well as about the roles it might have played can be put forward.…”

Imperial Needs, Imperial Methods: Chimú Ceramic Manufacturing Process Through CT Scan Analysis of Stirrup-Spout Bottles

“…The earliest studies of ceramic manufacturing techniques using X-ray radiography were performed in the 1940s (Digby 1948), and the method continues to be in use today (Beckett and Conlogue 2010;Heck and Feldmüller 1990;Heinemann 1976;Leonard et al 1993;Lima 2010;Lima et al 2011;Middleton 2005;Pavel et al 2013Pavel et al , 2014Purin 1980aPurin , 1980bPurin , 1983aPurin , 1983bPurin , 1985Vandiver and Tumosa 1995). Nevertheless, for the analysis of macro-traces relating to the manufacturing technology of such a complex form as the stirrup-spout bottle, CT scanning and its 3D results are noticeably more accurate and appropriate.…”