Speaker
Mr
Sinasi ekinci
(Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, Çekmece Nuclear Research Center, Turkey)
Description
RADIOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATIONS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL OBJECTS
Şinasi EKİNCİ
Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre, Department of Nuclear Techniques Istanbul, TURKEY
sinasi.ekinci@taek.gov.tr
ABSTRACT
Radiography is a versatile technique with many applications to
archaeological and art historical artefacts. It can be used to assess
the condition of objects before conservation or restoration treatment,
to gain information of materials used and methods of construction, and
to reveal the secrets of the embalmer’s art, hidden within mummified
remains. The techniques can be applied to materials as diverse as
papers, fabric, wood, ceramic and metal, as well as to human and other
animal remains. Radiographic examination basing on film imaging or
digital imaging techniques may provide images of objects concealed
within a mass of corrosion and may even reveal a previously unknown
painting, hidden beneath a later work. All of this can be carried out
non-destructively, making radiography an invaluable tool for the study
of cultural materials.
Radiographic investigations of the archaeological objects at Çekmece
Nuclear Research and Training Centre were carried out since 2004 in
collaboration with Archaeology Museum of Istanbul and Directorate of
Istanbul Central Laboratory for Restoration and Conservation. This
work describes radiographic investigations of the archaeological
objects in order to support museums, laboratories and archaeology
specialists for the restoration, conservation and replica processes,
as well as inventory purposes. Film based, flat panel and imaging
plate radiographic techniques were used in the examinations. Some of
the investigated objects in this study are anchors of 13th Century of
Byzantine Empire taken out from a wracked excavation, chains used in
the Golden Horn during the period of Byzantine Empire, head of the
Snaky Statue from Roman Period being situated in Sultan Ahmed Square
in Istanbul, metal objects from Bathonea excavation in Istanbul, etc.
Findings obtained from the examined objects were assessed together
with archaeology specialists in order to make comment about their
history and production methods and to decide for the restoration and
conservation processes.
The use of radiographic examination for the preservation of cultural
heritage became a very important tool that allows scientists and
archaeologists to accurately identify and conserve items that would
have been lost or damaged in the past. The results obtained from this
study were very beneficial for the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and
Conservation and restoration Laboratory for determining the internal
structure and surface condition of the objects before treatment for
restoration, conservation, replica works and a lot of other processes.
| Country/Organization invited to participate | Turkey |
|---|
Primary author
Mr
Sinasi ekinci
(Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, Çekmece Nuclear Research Center, Turkey)
