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The Use and Refinement of Neutron Imaging Techniques for Archaeological Artifacts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2017

Krysta Ryzewski ,
Hassina Z. Bilheux ,
Susan N. Herringer ,
Jean-Christophe Bilheux ,
Lakeisha Walker  and
Brian W. Sheldon
Krysta Ryzewski
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Wayne State University, 3054 F/AB, 656 W. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48226 (Krysta.Ryzewski@wayne.edu)
Hassina Z. Bilheux
Affiliation:
Chemical and Engineering Materials Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (bilheuxhn@ornl.gov)
Susan N. Herringer
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906 (Susan_Herringer@brown.edu)
Jean-Christophe Bilheux
Affiliation:
Neutron Data Analysis and Visualization, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Lakeisha Walker
Affiliation:
Research Reactor Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (walkerl@ornl.gov)
Brian W. Sheldon
Affiliation:
School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02906 (Brian_Sheldon@brown.edu)
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Abstract

Neutron imaging is a nondestructive application capable of producing two- and three-dimensional maps of archaeological objects’ external and internal structure, properties, and composition. This report presents the recent development of neutron imaging data collection and processing methods at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which have been advanced, in part, by information gathered from the experimental imaging of 25 archaeological objects over the past three years. The dual objectives of these imaging experiments included (1) establishing the first methodological procedures for the neutron imaging of archaeomaterials involving the CG-1D beamline and (2) further illustrating the potential of neutron imaging for archaeologists to use in the reverse engineering of ancient and historical objects. Examples of objects imaged in two and three dimensions are provided to highlight the application’s strengths and limitations for archaeological investigations, especially those that address ancient and historic technologies, materials science, and conservation issues.

L’imagerie avec les neutrons (ou imagerie neutronique) est une application non-destructive et capable de produire des cartes de structures externes et internes, de propriétés et composition, en 2 et 3 dimensions d’objets archéologiques. Ce rapport présente l’évolution récente de l’acquisition des images à neutrons, des méthodes de traitement d’image au Laboratoire National d’Oak Ridge (ORNL), qui ont été avancées, en partie, par des informations recueillies par les mesures expérimentales de 25 objets archéologiques au cours des trois dernières années. L’objectif double de ces expériences d’imagerie était le suivant: (1) l’établissement des premières procédures méthodologiques pour l’imagerie avec les neutrons des matériaux archéologiques sur la ligne de faisceau CG-1D et la future ligne VENUS, et (2) la démonstration du potentiel de l’imagerie neutronique pour aider les archéologues à pouvoir étudier la rétroingénierie d’objets antiques et historiques. Des exemples d’objets imagés en deux et trois-dimensions sont décrits dans cet article afin de mettre en évidence les avantages et inconvénients de l’imagerie neutronique pour les recherches archéologiques, notamment celles qui traitent des technologies antiques et historiques, la science des matériaux, et des problèmes de conservation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , May 2014 , pp. 91 - 103
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2014

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