X-ray Tomography Unveils the Construction Technique of Un-Montu’s Egyptian Coffin (Early 26th Dynasty)

Abstract

The Bologna Archaeological Museum, in cooperation with prestigious Italian universities, institutions, and independent scholars, recently began a vast investigation programme on a group of Egyptian coffins of Theban provenance dating to the first millennium BC, primarily the 25th–26th Dynasty (c. 746–525 BC). Herein, we present the results of the multidisciplinary investigation carried out on one of these coffins before its restoration intervention: the anthropoid wooden coffin of Un-Montu (Inv. MCABo EG1960). The integration of radiocarbon dating, wood species identification, and CT imaging enabled a deep understanding of the coffin’s wooden structure. In particular, we discuss the results of the tomographic investigation performed in situ. The use of a transportable X-ray facility largely reduced the risks associated with the transfer of the large object (1.80 cm tall) out of the museum without compromising image quality. Thanks to the 3D tomographic imaging, the coffin revealed the secrets of its construction technique, from the rational use of wood to the employment of canvas (incamottatura), from the use of dowels to the assembly procedure.

Hygroscopicity and Morphology of Bio-Based Boards—The Influence of the Formulation

“…Furthermore, the materials' dispositions in the proposed boards were analyzed, assessing the correlation between the hygroscopicity and internal structure. X-ray computed tomography, which is a non-invasive 3D-imaging technique able to supply crucial information on the studied products [52], ensured the evaluation of the internal configurations of the boards. This technique has been employed in several fields, such as medical, industrial, and cultural heritage [53], as well as to investigate bio-based composites [54].…”

X-ray Digital Radiography and Computed Tomography

“…This Special Issue received submissions focused on the most diverse research areas and coming from several different countries—from Europe to the US and Australia. After a rigorous review process, 23 manuscripts were selected—19 research articles and 4 review papers—illustrating the applications of X-ray digital radiography and computed tomography in many sectors, from medical imaging [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] to the investigation of cultural heritage objects [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], combining X-ray and neutron imaging [ 7 ].…”