Micro-focus X-ray CT scanning of two rare wooden objects from the wreck of the London, and its application in heritage science and conservation
Micro-focus X-ray CT scanning of two rare wooden objects from the wreck of the London, and its application in heritage science and conservation
Two wooden objects, a tuning peg from a stringed musical instrument and a stopper from a smoking pipe, were recovered from the 1665 CE wreck of the London and selected for wood identification. So far, they are the only recoveries of these object types from this wreck. To preserve their integrity and completeness, destructive sampling was not desirable. Instead, micro-focus computed tomography (µ-CT) scanning was carried out. The objects were scanned both pre-conservation (waterlogged/saturated) and post-conservation (PEG impregnated; freeze-dried). Although the aim was to non-destructively explore the internal structure of the objects for wood identifications, information was also gained on their manufacturing characteristics and internal condition. 1 µm voxel resolution – sufficient for positive identifications of these wood types to genus level (as is standard for wood identifications) – was achieved. This study has established that the conservation treatment used here does not obscure the microscopic anatomical features of these wood types and therefore recommends that µ-CT scanning is best undertaken after conservation, when the objects are stable.
Archaeological artefacts, Archaeological conservation, Micro CT scanning, Waterlogged wood, Wood identification
Rankin, Kathryn
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Hazell, Zoe
7849021a-bfef-4a04-b16e-47710864a885
Middleton, Angela
074d9391-fc9b-4379-b21b-959ab6168352
Mavrogordato, Mark
f3e0879b-118a-463a-a130-1c890e9ab547
Rankin, Kathryn
d9516566-0ad8-473d-b99b-4683c663a2b7
Hazell, Zoe
7849021a-bfef-4a04-b16e-47710864a885
Middleton, Angela
074d9391-fc9b-4379-b21b-959ab6168352
Mavrogordato, Mark
f3e0879b-118a-463a-a130-1c890e9ab547
Rankin, Kathryn, Hazell, Zoe, Middleton, Angela and Mavrogordato, Mark
(2021)
Micro-focus X-ray CT scanning of two rare wooden objects from the wreck of the London, and its application in heritage science and conservation.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 39, [103158].
(doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103158).
Abstract
Two wooden objects, a tuning peg from a stringed musical instrument and a stopper from a smoking pipe, were recovered from the 1665 CE wreck of the London and selected for wood identification. So far, they are the only recoveries of these object types from this wreck. To preserve their integrity and completeness, destructive sampling was not desirable. Instead, micro-focus computed tomography (µ-CT) scanning was carried out. The objects were scanned both pre-conservation (waterlogged/saturated) and post-conservation (PEG impregnated; freeze-dried). Although the aim was to non-destructively explore the internal structure of the objects for wood identifications, information was also gained on their manufacturing characteristics and internal condition. 1 µm voxel resolution – sufficient for positive identifications of these wood types to genus level (as is standard for wood identifications) – was achieved. This study has established that the conservation treatment used here does not obscure the microscopic anatomical features of these wood types and therefore recommends that µ-CT scanning is best undertaken after conservation, when the objects are stable.
Text
Rankin et al (2021) JAS Reports 39 103158 accepted manuscript
- Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 8 August 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 6 September 2021
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
KER and MNM undertook the ?-CT scanning, with KER carrying out the image processing, ZJH carried out the wood identifications and recording, and AMM recorded and conserved the archaeological artefacts. The photographs of the conserved objects were taken by James Davies (Lead Photographer) and Steven Baker (Photographer) (both Historic England). Many thanks to the following organisations and individuals: - the wreck's licensee Steve Ellis, together with Carol Ellis, Steve Meddle and the licensee team. - Historic England for funding project Pr6901 and supporting this additional research. - Cotswold Archaeology for managing project Pr6901. - MSDS Marine who provided diving support for the excavation. - Dan Pascoe, the site nominated archaeologist (2014-2016) - the ?-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, University of Southampton, for allocating the staff and resources to carry out this study, supported by EPSRC grant EP-H01506X. Special thanks to Richard Boardman., The project archive will be deposited with the ADS and Southend Museum Services. The pipe stopper is currently loaned to, and on display at, the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Supporting CT data are openly available from the University of Southampton repository at https://doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/D1940. Contact the corresponding author for raw imaging data. https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/24507. #LondonWreck1665. Finally, many thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback and recommendations.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Archaeological artefacts, Archaeological conservation, Micro CT scanning, Waterlogged wood, Wood identification
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 451899
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/451899
ISSN: 2352-409X
PURE UUID: dd217e9f-b043-43eb-be6e-492693b7a944
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Date deposited: 03 Nov 2021 17:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 06:48
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Contributors
Author:
Kathryn Rankin
Author:
Zoe Hazell
Author:
Angela Middleton
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