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An investigation of Etruscan cremations by Computed Tomography (CT)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Simona Minozzi ,
Valentina Giuffra ,
Jasmine Bagnoli ,
Emanuela Paribeni ,
Davide Giustini ,
Davide Caramella  and
Gino Fornaciari
Simona Minozzi*
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Valentina Giuffra
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Jasmine Bagnoli
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Emanuela Paribeni
Affiliation:
2Superintendence to Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany, Via S. Maria 32, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Davide Giustini
Affiliation:
3Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Davide Caramella
Affiliation:
3Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Gino Fornaciari
Affiliation:
1Division of Palaeopathology, History of Medicine and Bioethics, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 57, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Abstract

The cremation urn is a tiny archaeological site of its own, with finds, features, stratification and structure. The old prescription was to take the pot apart, or slice it, and micro-excavate with inevitable damage and loss. Here is a new methodology – the application of a CT scan as used in medicine. The authors evaluate the results on 35 Etruscan cremations, finding that CT not only provides an excellent guide for micro-excavation, but allows the degree of fragmentation to be appreciated inside the pot and maps those metal objects that have corroded to a crust and do not survive excavation. They emphasise the value of the method in making a ‘first resort’ primary record especially in commercial archaeology.

Keywords

ItalyVillanovaEtruscancremationsfunerary urnscomputed tomographyCT
Type
Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 84 , Issue 323 , March 2010 , pp. 195 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2010

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