Possibilities, Limitations, and Prospects of Using Neutron Tomography and Radiography for Preservation of Archaeological Heritage Objects

Abstract

Some archaeological heritage objects (miniature golden vial, encolpion crosses, boulatiry) have been studied by neutron tomography and radiography. It is shown that this method can reliably be used for articles made of nonferrous and precious metals. The study of a miniature golden incense vial dated I AD yielded important data on the presence of internal filling; as for the crosses, the absence of the so-called “holy relics” in these peculiar reliquary vessels was established. The study of the Old Russian iron boulatiry did not give any information on the presence or absence of traces of images under the corrosion layer on stamp working places. The data obtained are important for further historical interpretations and choosing methods of preservation of archaeological heritage objects, museum exposure, and presentation.