Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T01:47:19.646Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Radiographic Imaging Technologies for Archaeological Ceramics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2011

William A. Ellingson
Affiliation:
Materials and Components Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL
Pamela B. Vandiver
Affiliation:
Conservation-Analytical Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Thomas K. Robinson
Affiliation:
XEROX Medical Systems, Xerox Corporation, Pasadena, CA
John J. Lobick
Affiliation:
Diagnostic Radiology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center Chicago, IL
Get access

Extract

In archaeological studies of ceramic materials, nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods are needed to better understand the nature and evolution of ceramic fabrication techniques [1] and even to authenticate ancient ceramics [2]. The desired data are similar to those sought in modern fine ceramics, especially advanced structural ceramics [3]. X-ray imaging technologies, developed to characterize structural ceramics, were applied to three samples, a modern and two archaeological ceramics, in order to obtain fabrication information. They were imaged using various X-ray image receivers: electrostatic receivers (Xeroradiography Xerox 125 and 175, Xerox Medical Systems, Pasadena CA), photostimulable phosphors (Fuji Photo Film Co., Japan, 1985 Prototype System FCR-101), and high-resolution industrial X-ray film (Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.). Ultrasound and dye penetrants had failed to reveal methods of manufacture in the ancient ceramics because of their highly porous fabric (1).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Vandiver, P.B., Ph.D. dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985.Google Scholar
2. Ember, Lois R., “Science Sluething Uncovers ‘Ancient’ Ceramics as Modern,” Chem. Eng. News, pgs. 28–31 (1987); P. Maglino and B. Boesmi, “Xeroradiography for Paintings on Canvas and Wood”, Stud. in Conservation 33 41 (1988).Google Scholar
3. Ellingson, W.A., et al., ANL Report ANL/FE-87–2, May 1987.Google Scholar
4. Voigt, M.M., Hajji Firuz Tepe, Iron: The Neolithic Settlement (University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1983).Google Scholar
5. Vandiver, P.B., “A Comparison of Neolithic Near Eastern and Chinese Pottery Construction”, Archaeomaterials 2 (2) (1988).Google Scholar
6. Moore, A.M.T., Abu Hureyra (in preparation) Yale University Press.Google Scholar
7. Gourdin, W.H. and Kingery, W.D., The Beginnings of Pyrotechnology: Neolithic Plasters, J. Field Archaeol. 2 (133150) 1975, and W.D. Kingery, P.B. Vandiver and M.E. Prickett, J. Field Archaeol. 15 (1988).Google Scholar
8. Gilardoni, A., X-rays in Art: Physics, Technigues, Applications (Mandello Lario, Como, Italy, 1977).Google Scholar
9. Alexander, R.E. and Johnson, R. H., in Archaeological Ceramics, edited by Olin, Jacqueline S. and Franklin, Alan D. (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1982), pp. 145154.Google Scholar
10. Glanzman, W.D. and Fleming, S.J., “Xeroradiography: A Key to the Nature of Technological Change in Ancient Ceramic Production,” Nuclear Instrum. Methods of Physical Research A242 588 (1986).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11. Thurson, T. L., “Xeroradiography,” J. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng. 56 225 (1975).Google Scholar
12 Sonoda, M., Takano, M., Miyahara, J., and Kato, H., “Computed Radiography Utilizing Scanning Laser Stimulated Luminescence,” Radiology 148 833 (1983).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Takahashi, K., Kohda, K., and Miyaha, J., “Mechanisms of Photostimulated Luminescence in BaFX; Eu2U+(X=Cl, Br) Phosphors,” J. Lumin. 31 and 32, 226 (1984).Google Scholar