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Historical journey through tomography

by Maéva on 09 Apr 2024 at 14h14

Computed tomography serves History. The history of both nature and civilizations has always been a source of fascination for young and old alike. From the discovery of extinct species to the detailed analysis of objects crafted by early human civilizations, computed tomography has become an essential tool for understanding and preserving our cultural and historical past.

Découvrir l'histoire avec les rayons X
Thanks to CT Tomography, museums, paleontologists and archaeologists now have an extraordinary tool at their disposal, capable of revealing our Earth's deepest secrets, so that we can better appreciate our past and learn important lessons for our future.  


Being able to study fossils, ancient objects or organic matter in a non-destructive way means being able to study elements of our past that are still trapped in rocks or wrappings, bringing to the fore a part of our history that until now was still a mystery. And it also means that, through the museums, we can offer as much information as possible to as many people as possible, thanks to a more interactive approach.
 
X-ray CT is a non-destructive imagery technique that uses X-rays to produce detailed, three-dimensional images, enabling scientists and museums to examine internal structures and hidden features without damaging specimens. X-ray computed tomography is an invaluable tool for historians, researchers and museums, enabling them to better understand the history of civilizations before us.
 
Get to the heart of history with computed tomography!   

Microtomography and ancient artifacts

Computed tomography makes it technically possible to get in-depth inside rocks, objects, fossils, corals and mummies, to learn about their origins, determine an environment, an era, what may have happened and, why not, hypothesize for the future.
 
But some fossils, for example, are still stuck in rock, some species are preserved in formalin, mummified, or are very fragile, so using CT scans and obtaining a cut-by-cut or 3D rendering is turning out to be an innovative solution for uncovering secrets of history and even bringing back to life things and organisms that have been extinct for thousands/millions of years.
While X-ray radiography has been around for many years, 3D digital imaging techniques are more recent, enabling a new dimension in research, conservation, and the transmission of knowledge.

3d snake model by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

Grass Snake Skull Anatomy by Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences on Sketchfab

CT Scanner for non-destructive research

Geology, and in particular paleontology, allows us to imagine the Earth's past, and provides us with fascinating insights into the various changes that have taken place on the planet in the millions of years since. From extinct species to artifacts from the past, there are many signs of past life on a planet whose flora and fauna were quite different from those we know today.
 
In addition to fossils and mummified bodies, for which we often hear about the use of CT scan, tomography enables us to inspect many traces of the past, such as: household furnishings, weapons, papers, objects where corrosion has transformed them over the centuries, sedimentary layers, textiles, or even parts/principles of life, enclosed in blocks where it would normally be impossible to analyze without causing damage. Today, it's possible to see through, to see the invisible and, above all, to reconstruct in 3D in a way that's almost more real - and all without damaging these elements of our past.
 
Here you can explore an ancient stick measuring around 20cm, discovered in the Laugerie Basse shelter at the Eyzies de Rayac-Sireuil paleolithic site in the Dordogne. The stick was carved from reindeer antler around 15,000 years ago.  
 
Thanks to the French Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle which uses 2 CT scanners, including an EasyTom S 150kV for microfocus analysis called "ID-FIX", many elements of the museum's collections can be exploited.

Fascinating practical applications abound::

 
    •  Study the internal structure of bones and fossils to identify pathologies and traces of injury or age, shedding light on the lifestyles and health conditions of past generations.
     
    Analysis of the composition of materials used to manufacture objects, allowing us to understand the crafting techniques and trade routes of the time. But also to identify, according to specific characteristics, the geographical origin of objects and/or their materials.
     
    Reveal hidden internal structures: thanks to slice by slice navigation, it is possible to discover the internal structure of sculptures, pottery or tools, providing information on their function and symbolism.
     
    Examination of the state of preservation of artifacts and identification of areas of deterioration, enabling preventive restoration measures to be implemented.
     
    Monitoring the evolution of remains: micro-tomography enables us to compare scans of the same object at different times, providing invaluable tracking of its evolution and degradation.

Tomographie par rayons X - Pharaon Amenothep 12
Reconstitution 3D de la tête d’Amenhotep Ier, grâce à un scanner de tomographie assistée par ordinateur (CT). PHOTOGRAPHIE DE SAHAR SALEEM

When a Pharaoh reveals himself: Amenhotep Ist

To further illustrate the use of tomography, a very pertinent example in the historical world is the royal mummy of the Pharaoh of Amenhotep I, which could be reconstructed without moving from its sarcophagus, thus preserving the mummy's integrity, since contact with air and/or human action can seriously damage the conservation process (Tutankhamun when Howard Carter wanted to "unwrap" the mummy in 1925).
Improvements in tomographic image post-processing software, notably segmentation, have made it possible to reconstruct the pharaoh's face, analyze the state of his teeth, bones, the state of mummification, etc., in order to determine his age, state of health and state of preservation.
 
According to Sahar Saleem, an expert in radiology and paleo-radiology, "The three-dimensional scan revealed that the thirty-five-year-old king was in good health before his death, and that he closely resembled his father, with a "narrow chin and nose, curly hair and slightly protruding upper teeth".
All thanks to computed tomography.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning pave the way for automated analysis and the creation of interactive 3D models, offering an immersive and educational experience like no other.
 
Photo: 3D reconstruction of the head of Amenhotep I, using a computerized tomography (CT) scanner. PHOTOGRAPH BY SAHAR SALEEM


MUSEUM INVOLVEMENT: CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION

The primary purpose of museums is to collect, preserve and share with visitors, researchers and others, parts of our history.
The museum experience and the transmission of knowledge are evolving, bringing greater interactivity through the use of micro-tomography in the research and preservation of works of art.
Thanks to technological advances, particularly in tomography, it is now possible to explore the internal structures of fossils, artifacts, works of art and instruments in detail, at will and without causing damage. Museums can now offer an immersive, educational experience in a much more connected age.
 
The days of "touching with your eyes" are over. This new educational and entertaining dimension is made possible by the high-resolution 3D visualization provided by computed tomography and X-rays. The images captured can be used to create exact replicas of the parts explored, enabling manipulation without risk of damage. What's more, this digital data opens the door to interactive applications, such as augmented or virtual reality visualizations, where visitors, students, parent, researchers etc. can, for example, virtually assemble an antique vase or "travel" inside a dinosaur skull.

Welcome to the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle

 
The Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris is working hard to preserve and digitalize its collections. The site has 2 CT Scanners including the EasyTom S 150 kV from RX Solutions. The MNHM's AST-RX project is to enable micro-tomography digitization of natural science specimens, in order to support the study, enhancement, training and conservation of the MNHN's collections. The tomographs are accessible to scientists and external curators.
 
This approach not only advances the conservation and study of specimens, but also enhances pedagogy and optimizes the visitor experience, making learning much more interactive and enabling cultural venues to attract new audiences while enriching the experience.
The AST-RX project has led to the creation of a platform called "le cabinet des curiosités 3D" a virtual gallery where anyone can interactively consult numerous works from the MNHM's collections and discover many specimens thanks to cross-sectional views in different axes, as well as explore 3D renderings of the CT scans.
 
In a more extensive collaboration with numerous universities and institutions, the "e-col+" platform was born. The aim is to digitize in 3D more than 40,000 species illustrating current and past diversity in French collections. The aim is to offer new research opportunities in a wide range of fields, while meeting the challenges of conservation and enhancement.
See here a scleractinian cnidarian, otherwise known as a coral! Corals are organisms made up of small animals; polyps that secrete calcium carbonate to form the mineralized structure of the coral. Here, X-ray tomography is used to model the polyps in the coral. They drilled into the coral and grew inside as the coral developed..
So, thanks to micro-tomography, history is no longer simply told; it is reconstructed, visualized and experienced, offering a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of our cultural, natural and historical legacy.
 
In conclusion, X-ray tomography is a rapidly expanding technology, enabling applications that open up new perspectives for researchers, museums and curators alike, and offering a rethought experience.
 
The strength of tomography lies in its non-destructive analysis, making it an important technology for preserving and protecting our history.

Falcon mummy

CT scan of a falcon mummy. In ancient Egypt, the falcon represented valour, loyalty and family fidelity. It is the guarantor of universal harmony.
The RX Solutions teams had the opportunity to carry out an X-ray tomography. Discover the rendering in stages.

3D rendering of falcon mummification

Radiography mummy falcon

Falcon mummy computed tomography rendering

Falcon mummy

CT scan of a falcon mummy. In ancient Egypt, the falcon represented valour, loyalty and family fidelity. It is the guarantor of universal harmony.
The RX Solutions teams had the opportunity to carry out an X-ray tomography. Discover the rendering in stages.

3D rendering of falcon mummification

Radiography mummy falcon

Falcon mummy computed tomography rendering

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