A proof of concept demonstration of the automated laser removal of rock from a fossil using 3D X-ray tomography data

Plessis, Anton du; Steyn, J.; Roberts, D.E.; Botha, Lourens R.; Berger, Lee R.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2013.07.024

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This is particularly advantageous when access to reference collections of real bones is restricted or unavailable [ 44 , 45 ]. du Plessis and co-workers [ 46 ] have demonstrated the potential of automated laser preparation, which is used to separate fossil bones and surrounding sediments. The technology is based on density differences in materials using data obtained from a micro-CT scanner.…”

Section: The Use Of Ct In Palaeoanthropologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual anthropology – a brief review of the literature and history of computed tomography

Uldin

2017

Forensic Sciences Research

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Computed tomography (CT) has influenced numerous fields since its inception in the 1970s. The field of palaeoanthropology significantly benefited from this efficient and non-invasive medium in terms of the conservation, reconstruction and analysis of fossil human remains. Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of forensic anthropological studies incorporating virtual osteological analyses. Because of the increasing importance of these modern cross-sectional imaging techniques and the requirement for standardized parameters in forensic science, we deemed it important to outline the history and development of CT applications in these related academic areas. The present paper outlines the history of “virtual anthropology” and osteological multi-detector CT in the context of palaeoanthropology and forensic anthropology.

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Section: The Use Of Ct In Palaeoanthropologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual anthropology – a brief review of the literature and history of computed tomography

Uldin

2017

Forensic Sciences Research

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“…Industrial X-ray computational micro-tomography was another method used to study the gold parts of the catch plate of the buckle. As of late, this method has been used more frequently to research, analyse, and non-destructively study the internal construction of examined objects in engineering, geosciences, museology, biology, or archaeology [24][25][26]. Such X-ray computed tomography data are often used for 3D printing, which can also be employed in reconstructing historical artefacts using 3D printers [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays

Hanus¹,

Sobek

Souček

et al. 2023

Herit Sci

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Recently found historical jewellery (Czech Republic) was subjected to detailed analyses to determine the gem inlays and the gold framework in which they are embedded. Such find fits into European jewellery archaeological artefacts containing similar stones from around the fifth century CE. The gemstones were analysed with optical microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy to determine their mineralogical characteristics and to find out typical structural-chemical differences based on which their provenance can be found. The results of this measurement discovered two main types of minerals from the garnet group, almandine and pyrope, where pyropes have been identified as Bohemian garnets thanks to the typical photoluminescence (PL) of chromium and vanadium impurities. The craftsmanship and processing of the goldsmith work were studied using X-ray computed tomography. Such a technique is an excellent contribution for detecting and visualising the internal parts hidden behind the placement of the stones. For this reason, 3D visualisation was used to describe and better understand all preserved parts. According to this object's very high cultural and historical value, the chosen methods are suitable for non-destructive study while proving to be essential to deepen our knowledge in archaeometric investigations focused on jewellery from Late Antiquity (with possible application to the jewellery from other periods). Based on the findings presented in this study, it is one of the world's oldest documented items using Bohemian garnets in jewellery. These findings underscore the tremendous economic and political importance of Bohemian garnet mineral resources altogether, with a second completely different type of garnet believed to have originated in distant India or Sri Lanka that was used in jewellery across Europe in Late Antiquity.

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“…Thanks to their availability medical CT scanners have often been used in the archaeological field: to investigate mummies and related materials [6][7][8], to discover the content of a pot before opening it [9,10] or simply to study the inner and outer of an object in high detail [11]. CT proved to be a very powerful tool even in the related field of anthropology [12,13]. Synchrotron radiation can also be used for some special cases [14]; an example was presented of a dedicated transportable instrument developed specifically to analyse fossils [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray tomography of a soil block: a useful tool for the restoration of archaeological finds

Corsi

Demmelbauer

et al. 2015

Herit Sci

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Introduction: X-ray imaging is a very powerful tool which can be exploited in several fields. In the last few years, its use in archaeology has grown consistently. One of the most recent and interesting applications of computed X-ray tomography (CT) is the analysis of soil blocks, coming from excavations, in order to seek for finds of different kinds and materials possibly contained therein. For this purpose, both medical and industrial CT scanners have been employed. In this paper, the application of a CT instrument specifically designed and developed for the analysis of Cultural Heritage materials is presented. We analysed a soil block extracted from a necropolis in the Italian region of Abruzzo and probably dating back to the VI-IV century B.C., which was found to contain a bronze belt. Results: Thanks to the versatility of the CT equipment we designed, a complete scan has been obtained in less than four hours and has delivered extremely useful information in a completely non-invasive way. The CT dataset and images allowed a virtual extraction of the find to be performed before the actual stratigraphic recovery that, in this case, was simplified thanks to the merging of the archaeological evidences and with information coming from scientific analyses. The information provided by the tomography consisted in: the distribution, shape and dimensions of fragments composing the artefact; indications about its general conditions; the recognition of repairs done in the past and the presence of different materials (although not precisely identified). Conclusions: The use of CT has great potential for the work of both archaeologists and restorers. The indirect extraction of an artefact from an archaeological excavation, which entailed moving a soil block to the laboratory, allowed one to reconstruct almost all its parts and to collect information about materials. CT analysis has been particularly useful for determining both its conditions and its repairs before the actual recovery, thereby facilitating the restoration process. The recovery and conservation of an historical piece like the one presented here can help archaeological and conservation studies, enrich a museum collection and contribute to the dissemination of acquired cultural information.

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A proof of concept demonstration of the automated laser removal of rock from a fossil using 3D X-ray tomography data

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

Virtual anthropology – a brief review of the literature and history of computed tomography

Virtual anthropology – a brief review of the literature and history of computed tomography

A non-destructive analytical study of cultural heritage object from Late Antiquity: gold framework and gemstone inlays

X-ray tomography of a soil block: a useful tool for the restoration of archaeological finds

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