Advanced Imaging Techniques


 * Page under construction: current content is likely to focus on techniques of use for the scanning of inscribed surfaces
 * Please add information, links to discussions of further information, or headings you would like to see populated

=3D Surface Scanning=

Laser Scanning
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(See also DC 2008 Paper by Ryan Baumann.)

Photogrammetry
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=3D Volumetric Scanning=

CT Scanning
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MRI Scanning
MRI relies on the principal of introducing and imaging magnetic spin of specific isotopes, particularly Hydrogen. Due to the properties of MRI, this is typically most suitable for liquids ("solution-state") and MRI of solid materials is relatively difficult (though higher fields and short T2 times, as well as developing techniques such as MAFS/MARF may enable non-destructive MRI of solid materials). As a result, it is highly suitable to certain applications (i.e. medical imaging, due to the prevalence of water in the human body) but its application to imaging of archaeological artifacts is sparse. A non-metallic object could in theory be imaged with MRI by immersing it in water before imaging to obtain a negative image of water permeation, but this is unlikely to be suitable for cultural artifacts.

=Advanced 2D Imaging=

Polynomial Texture Mapping
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Multispectral/Hyperspectral Imaging
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X-ray Fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a spectroscopy technique wherein an object is exposed to high-energy X-rays and imaged for characteristic fluorescence of specific elements. Researchers at Cornell have used XRF to reveal trace elements left in incised text by painting, environmental exposure, or chisel work:


 * "Scientists and humanists join forces to use X-ray technology to shed new light on ancient stone inscriptions", Cornell Chronicle
 * J. Powers, N. Dimitrova, R. Huang, D.-M. Smilgies, D. H. Bilderback, K. Clinton and R. E. Thorne: "X-ray fluorescence recovers writing from ancient inscriptions", Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik (Bonn, Germany) 152, 221-227 (2005).
 * J. Powers, N. Dimitrova, R. Huang, D.-M. Smilgies, D. H. Bilderback, K. Clinton and R. E. Thorne: "Recovering Ancient Inscriptions by X-ray Fluorescence", Research Highlight, CHESS News Magazine 2005, p. 60-63.
 * Journal of Archaeological Science (forthcoming)