microrobert
07-09-2012, 07:53 PM
X-rays reveal secrets of Roman coins
New technique could dramatically speed up assessing the significance of archaeological finds
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/7/9/1341842227618/A-selection-of-extracted--005.jpg
Scientists have used a new x-ray technique to produce spectacular 3D images of Roman coins that were corroded inside pots or blocks of soil.
The rotating images built up from thousands of two-dimensional scans are so clear that individual coins can be identified and dated, without a single battered denarius – the Roman currency – being visible to the naked eye.
The advantage of the new method – developed by a unique collaboration between archaeologists and scientists at the British Museum and Southampton University – is that it means coins can be identified and even dated much more quickly and without risking damage to them.
X-rays reveal secrets of Roman coins | Science | guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jul/09/x-rays-reveal-secrets-roman-coins?INTCMP=SRCH)
New technique could dramatically speed up assessing the significance of archaeological finds
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/7/9/1341842227618/A-selection-of-extracted--005.jpg
Scientists have used a new x-ray technique to produce spectacular 3D images of Roman coins that were corroded inside pots or blocks of soil.
The rotating images built up from thousands of two-dimensional scans are so clear that individual coins can be identified and dated, without a single battered denarius – the Roman currency – being visible to the naked eye.
The advantage of the new method – developed by a unique collaboration between archaeologists and scientists at the British Museum and Southampton University – is that it means coins can be identified and even dated much more quickly and without risking damage to them.
X-rays reveal secrets of Roman coins | Science | guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jul/09/x-rays-reveal-secrets-roman-coins?INTCMP=SRCH)