Bodies of Evidence
Under the microscope
Archaeological radiography
Radiography – the use of electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays
– is a way of examining objects without damaging or destroying them.
Developed for medical diagnosis, radiography is now widely used to look
at archaeological objects, including human remains.
When X-rays are directed at an object, some are absorbed and some pass
through the object to form an image on photographic film placed on the
other side. Some substances absorb more radiation than others, and more
rays will be absorbed by thick materials than thin, creating lighter and
darker areas on the photographic film. In the case of human remains, X-rays
can be used to show any damage to the skeleton, giving clues to how the
person lived and died.
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While X-rays provide a flat, two dimensional picture, CAT (Computerised
Axial Tomography) scanning gives a three dimentional image. X-rays are
directed at the object from all sides to create images of slices through
it. A computer uses these to generate a three dimensional reconstruction
of the inside of the object.
Used in medicine to diagnose cancer and other conditions that affect
soft tissue, CAT scanning is a valuable archaeological tool. It was used
to examine the remains of the baby ice mummy
found in Greenland.
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DNA fingerprinting
Radiocarbon dating
Archaeological radiography
Skull reconstruction
Find out more
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