Over and beyond the Primate baubellum Surface: A “Jewel Bone” Shielded in Museums

Massimiliano Scalici,Monica Carosi,Federica Spani,Maria Pia Morigi,Matteo Bettuzzi

doi:10.3390/app12042096

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT), mostly used in the medical field, has also recently been involved in Cultural Heritage studies, thanks to its efficiency and total non-invasiveness. Due to the large variety of sizes and compositions typical of Cultural Heritage objects, different X-ray sources, detectors, and setups are necessary to meet the different needs of various case studies. Here, we focus on the use of micro-CT to explore the morphology and shape of a small, neglected bone found inside the clitoris of non-human primates (the baubellum), which we obtained by accessing two prestigious primatological collections of the American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY, USA) and the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC, USA). Overcoming methodological limits imposed by the absence of homologous landmarks, we combined the use of the non-invasive 3D micro-CT and a recently released landmark-free shape analysis (the alpha-shape technique) to objectively describe and quantify the shape complexity of scanned primate baubella. Micro-CT provided high-resolution results, overcoming constraints linked to museum policy about non-disruptive sampling and preserving samples for future research. Finally, it proved appropriate as post-mortem sampling had no impact on protected wild primate populations.

Highlights

Nowadays, among a variety of diagnostic imaging tools in the medical field, the use of Computed Tomography (CT) has been shown to be the most widely used
We focus on the use of micro-CT to explore the morphology and shape of a small, neglected bone found inside the clitoris of non-human primates, which we obtained by accessing two prestigious primatological collections of the American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY, USA) and the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC, USA)
Overcoming methodological limits imposed by the absence of homologous landmarks, we combined the use of the non-invasive 3D micro-CT and a recently released landmark-free shape analysis to objectively describe and quantify the shape complexity of scanned primate baubella

Summary

Introduction

Among a variety of diagnostic imaging tools in the medical field, the use of Computed Tomography (CT) has been shown to be the most widely used. CT can be considered the natural evolution of radiography, being capable of providing both morphological and physical information on the inner structure of the objects. The 3D reconstruction of the objects makes it possible to obtain a large amount of information on the conservation status and inner morphological features (e.g., useful for conservation and restoration purposes) and on the manufacturing and construction technique of a specific artifact (e.g., of a work of art). Thanks to the use of sophisticated computer programs, it is possible to manipulate the 3D renderings, by making virtual cuts on the reconstructed volume or selectively removing some layers to reveal additional information. By processing tomographic data, a 3D numerical model of the sample can be obtained for either virtual reality applications, digital archive storage, or the creation of replicas using 3D printing [17,18]

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