The Reconstruction of a Bronze Battle Axe and Comparison of Inflicted Damage Injuries Using Neutron Tomography, Manufacturing Modeling, and X-ray Microtomography Data

Abstract

A massive bronze battle axe from the Abashevo archaeological culture was studied using neutron tomography and manufacturing modeling from production molds. Detailed structural data were acquired to simulate and model possible injuries and wounds caused by this battle axe. We report the results of neutron tomography experiments on the bronze battle axe, as well as manufactured plastic and virtual models of the traumas obtained at different strike angles from this axe. The reconstructed 3D models of the battle axe, plastic imprint model, and real wound and trauma traces on the bones of the ancient peoples of the Abashevo archaeological culture were obtained. Skulls with traces of injuries originate from archaeological excavations of the Pepkino burial mound of the Abashevo culture in the Volga region. The reconstruction and identification of the injuries and type of weapon on the restored skulls were performed. The complementary use of 3D visualization methods allowed us to make some assumptions on the cause of death of the people of the Abashevo culture and possible intra-tribal conflict in this cultural society. The obtained structural and anthropological data can be used to develop new concepts and methods for the archaeology of conflict.

Structural studies of the brass ingots from the Shcherbet historical complex of the Lower Kama region: neutron diffraction and tomography studies

“…To obtain data on the internal structure of the ingots, studies were carried out at a specialized experimental station for neutron radiography and tomography [15, 16] at channel 14 of the IBR-2 pulsed reactor. Neutron radiographic images of objects were obtained using a detector system based on a 6 LiF/ZnS scintillation screen with image registration by a highly sensitive video camera with HAMAMATSU CCD chip [17]. To study the internal structure of archaeological objects, a number of neutron radiographic experiments were conducted, the result of which was a set of 360 angular projections of the objects under study, with a rotational step of 0.5 • .…”

“…More accurately correlate the ingot with the ore source request a comparison of the composition of ingots alloys and ores of the mining zone of brasses and bronzes of that time. Recently, the traditional X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron microscopy, and metallography methods have been successfully supplemented the neutron non-destructive probes [6]. First of all, this is due to the absence of restrictions on the depth of infiltration into the thickness of the metal sample [7 -9].…”

Structural Features of the Fragments from Cast Iron Cauldrons of the Medieval Golden Horde: Neutron Tomography Data

“…Neutron imaging and neutron diffraction have made it possible to separate martensitic and austenitic phase components in steel weapons [33], to detect fasteners inside the handle of medieval swords [11] and defects and cracks in metal writing utensils [27], and to complete the non-destructive structural testing of a spearhead from a West Hungarian archaeological site [34]. However, the structural markers or benchmarks on the micron-scale level for large metal fragments and objects are debated [35,36]. As an example, large cavities or pores were found inside an ancient bronze axe [35].…”

“…However, the structural markers or benchmarks on the micron-scale level for large metal fragments and objects are debated [35,36]. As an example, large cavities or pores were found inside an ancient bronze axe [35]. These pores were associated with accompanying gas formation during the temperature treatment of arsenic-copper ore.…”

Phase Composition and Its Spatial Distribution in Antique Copper Coins: Neutron Tomography and Diffraction Studies

“…Neutron imaging and scattering methods are successful in separating the components of coin alloys with neighboring elements: iron and nickel, copper and zinc [ 17 ], copper and silver [ 12 , 14 ], copper and lead [ 18 ]. Moreover, neutron structural methods were applied to determine the bulk composition hidden by corrosion [ 11 , 14 ] for coin identification [ 11 ], for the reconstruction of coinage technologies and sources of mining materials for coins [ 19 ] and for the description of coins’ degradation like internal corrosion tracks [ 11 , 20 ] and deterioration areas [ 18 , 21 ].…”