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An investigation of Etruscan cremations by Computed Tomography (CT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Simona Minozzi*
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Valentina Giuffra
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Jasmine Bagnoli
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Emanuela Paribeni
Affiliation:
2Superintendence to Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany, Via S. Maria 32, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Davide Giustini
Affiliation:
3Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Davide Caramella
Affiliation:
3Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Gino Fornaciari
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy

Abstract

The cremation urn is a tiny archaeological site of its own, with finds, features, stratification and structure. The old prescription was to take the pot apart, or slice it, and micro-excavate with inevitable damage and loss. Here is a new methodology – the application of a CT scan as used in medicine. The authors evaluate the results on 35 Etruscan cremations, finding that CT not only provides an excellent guide for micro-excavation, but allows the degree of fragmentation to be appreciated inside the pot and maps those metal objects that have corroded to a crust and do not survive excavation. They emphasise the value of the method in making a ‘first resort’ primary record especially in commercial archaeology.

Type
Method
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2010

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