Abstract

In the planning stage of the conservation procedures applied to ancient objects of art it is essential to know the internal structure and internal composition of the object. For the examination and characterization of the object usually only non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are permitted. The shape, structure and condition of metal parts is revealed by conventional X-ray Radiography (XR), while the Neutron Radiography (NR) helps to detect the presence of organic materials and their identification. The use of both complementary NDT methods is indicated also to verify the proper execution of subsequent phases of the cleaning and conservation processes. As examples the use of XR and NR in the examination of the internal structure of a Roman dagger and sheath, salvaged from the Ljubljanica river bottom and in the characterization and identification of an excavated iron belt buckle (6th century A.D.) are presented.

Keywords: Radiography

Source: Conference Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of the Slovenian Society for Nondestructive Testing, 24 - 25 April 1997, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Pages:159 - 166

Publisher:
Slovenian Society for Nondestructive Testing, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Askerceva 6, SLO 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Tel +386 61 177 12 03, Fax +386 61 218 567, Email: janez.grum@fs.uni-lj.si.