Imaging the past: recent applications of neutron imaging in archaeometry
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Date
2016-11-29
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Publisher
Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Abstract
The study of metal artefacts of archaeological, historical and cultural interest can shed light on the most advanced manufacturing processes developed by different cultures over time. Scientist need to treat them with care and must avoid damage, including the acceleration of any natural ageing process, so that we can pass on the artefacts to future generations. The cultural heritage community is well aware of the benefits of non-invasive scientific methods. This approach has been progressively established as common practice in archaeomtery and conservation science. Neutron imaging is playing a significant role in expanding the technical limits and investigation capabilities of standard analytical methods due to its well-known features of high a penetration power and its different interaction with matter, compared, for example, with the analogous X-ray imaging.
While traditional analytical techniques might fail to preserve the integrity of the objects, neutron imaging methods can be successfully used to characterize the structure, morphology and composition of metal artworks three-dimensionally without the need for sampling or invasive procedures. These physical properties of an artefact are the imprint of its manufacturing process and of its life cycle. They can be convincingly reconstructed
through a careful analysis of the material evidence. In collaboration with museum institutions and university research groups, archaeometric investigations have been recently conducted by using the neutron imaging beamline DINGO at ANSTO. A selection of case studies will be presented.
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Keywords
Metals, Archaeological specimens, Cultural objects, Neutron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, Morphology, ANSTO
Citation
Salvemini, F. (2016). Imaging the past: recent applications of neutron imaging in archaeometry. Paper presented at 13th AINSE-ANBUG Neutron Scattering Symposium, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 29-30 November 2016.