The Use of Medical Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging in the Study of Ceramic and Clay Archaeological Artifacts from the Ancient Near East

Computed Tomography Imaging (CT) is highly regarded as an efficient and relatively inexpensive medical diagnostic tool. It has not, however, come into its own in the study of clay and ceramic archaeological artifacts. Our studies demonstrate, however, that Medical CT is, in fact, a singularly powerful and efficient tool for indepth radiological studies and analysis of a wide, range of archaeological finds. As the images obtained by the CT scans are digital, we have been able to manipulate them in many ways, thereby revealing new dimensions to non-destructive X-radiological studies of archaeological finds. By adapting various image postprocessing techniques, developed for the CT as a medical diagnostic tool to our specific needs, we have been able to reduce research and development costs.