Non-destructive fabric analysis of prehistoric pottery using high-resolution X-ray microtomography: a pilot study on the late Mesolithic to Neolithic site Hamburg-Boberg (original) (raw)
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X-ray Microtomography of Ceramic Artifacts
MRS Proceedings, 1995
In this paper we describe the analysis of ceramic artifacts with a new type of three dimensional x-ray microscopy which can have micron spatial resolution. The x-ray microscopy is based on a microtomographic technique which reconstructs the three dimensional structure of millimeter sized specimens from high resolution digital radiographs of the specimens taken from several hundred different view angles. When the high resolution radiographs are taken with a monoenergetic x-ray beam from a synchrotron source, each volume element (voxel) in the reconstructed data set is quantitatively the x-ray opacity of the equivalent volume in the specimen. Typical reconstructed data sets contain more than 106 voxels and are rendered using computer visualization techniques. Specimens can be nondestructively analyzed so long as they are small enough to fit into the area of the x-ray beam imaged by the detector. We have applied x-ray microtomographic analysis both to a shard specimen taken from a Jun bowl and to a modern ash glaze and show examples of the structure of glazes on these ceramics; interfaces between the glaze and underlying ceramic bodies; and the porosity of ceramic bodies.
Looking through Pots: Recent Advances in Ceramics X-radiography
2008
From its first application to ceramics, X-radiography has been used successfully to identify manufacturing details. While many of the key parameters are well understood, several questions require further analysis. These include the radiographic distinction between wheel-thrown and wheel-shaped pots and an assessment of the impact of secondary forming techniques and surface treatments on inclusion orientation laid down during primary forming. To clarify these issues, controlled experiments were conducted. Results indicate that coiled and wheel-shaped vessels can be distinguished radiographically from fully wheel-thrown ones. As regards secondary forming and surface treatments, none of those in- vestigated could be shown to obscure traces of primary forming techniques. Overall, X-radiography is shown to be a valuable tool for under- standing forming techniques and sequences of ancient vessels. Assessing X-radiography’s contribution in characterising clay fabrics, experiments were conducted with regard to clay body and inclusion visibility. These experiments support Foster’s conclusions [Foster. G.V., 1985. Identification of inclusions in ceramic artefacts by xeroradiography. Journal of Field Archaeology 12, 373e376]. Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Craft and science: International perspectives on archaeological ceramics, UCL Qatar Series in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2014
The application of X-radiography in ceramic studies is becoming an increasingly valued method. Using the potential of industrial X-ray computed tomography (CT) for non-destructive testing as an archaeometric or archaeological method in pottery studies, especially regarding aspects such as manufacturing techniques or pottery fabrics, requires controlled data-acquisition and post-processing by scientific computing adjusted to archaeological issues. The first results of this evaluation project show that, despite the difficulties inherent in CT technology, considerable information can be extracted for pottery analysis. The application of surface morphology reconstructions and volumetric measurements based on CT data will open a new field in future non-invasive archaeology.
X-Radiography of Archaeological Ceramics
The Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis, 2017
This chapter summarizes the history, theory and methodology of ceramic X-radiography. Particular emphasis is placed upon the two most common uses of ceramic X-radiography, namely the identification of forming techniques and the characterization of clay fabrics. Practical considerations are offered for the choice of X-ray set-ups, exposure parameters, digitization, image enhancement, analysis and interpretation of the resulting X-ray. The chapter concludes with three case studies that demonstrate the great value of this technique and its potential to help illuminate many socio-cultural dimensions of ancient pottery production. The authors emphasize that deep understanding of the theoretical and practical dimensions of this technique are an essential foundation for subsequent interpretation.
APPLICATION OF X-RADIOGRAPHY IN UNDERSTANDING ANCIENT CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY
Indian History Congress Proceedings, 71st Session, 2010
The technique of ceramics manufacturing involves a series of processes in different stages of making. However, the finished products do not reveal all these modalities unless tested scientifically. Application of radiography in understanding ceramic technology is one of the many scientific methods used in ceramic study. A preliminary attempt has been made by the author in this paper to introduce this technique and eradicate the speculative and descriptive approach to ceramics in India. The paper focuses on understanding the manufacturing technology of two Chalcolithic Ahar culture ceramics such as Tan ware and Thin Red ware of Balathal, which are considered to be mostly made on wheels.
X-ray Tomography Studies of Prehistoric Ceramic Artifacts
International Journal of Modern Physics: Conference Series Vol. 27 (2014) 1460135 (8 pages)
"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"
The identification of ceramic forming techniques poses challenges, particularly when different primary and secondary forming techniques are combined, or when specific surface treatments obscure potential diagnostic features. As emphasized in the existing literature, a comprehensive approach should consider all potential sources of information. In this study, we employed a combination of macroscopic observations and X-ray microCT analysis on experimental cups reproduced using the complex technology attested in Middle Bronze Age Crete, i.e. a combination of hand-building technique and potter's wheel. Our investigation focuses on the potential of microCT scanning in unveiling forming techniques in wheel-thrown and wheel-fashioned ceramics. Our results indicate that integrating the visualization of 3D thickness variation in vessel walls, quantification of 2D wall thickness distribution in longitudinal virtual slices, identification of possible structural joints in virtual sections, and evaluation of voids orientation with traditional macroscopic analysis generally allows for the recognition of primary forming techniques and the reconstruction of complex ceramic technological processes.
Fibrous twists and turns: early ceramic technology revealed through computed tomography
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