title: [Xeroradiography and digital luminescence radiography in the study of the technics of manufacturing ancient ceramics. The advantages and limits].
abstract: This paper reports on the cooperative work of the Department of Radiology of the Catholic University, Rome, and of the Italian Institute for Middle and Far East. The study was aimed at using xeroradiography and digital luminescence radiography for the archeometric evaluation of ancient ceramics and at assessing the imaging potentials of the two techniques. Some manufacturing techniques are reported which were used in the ancient world and societies for pottery making--i.e., coil building (the superimposition of clay rings), paddle and anvil beating and throwing of the wheel. Such techniques leave, on the vessel's wall, clear traces which can be detected by X-ray imaging. After discussing the main semiologic features, we present 4 case studies from the project archive. Each vase underwent xeroradiography and digital luminescence radiography. The former technique was useful in detailing minor phase transitions--e.g., pores and inclusions--while the latter, thanks to both its wide dynamic range and its image processing potentials, was optimal in defining very gradual thickness transitions due to the different techniques used to join the clay parts. By combining the two techniques, the manufacturing technology of the artifacts could be defined. The interactive processing of radiographic images at the system console was seen to be of major importance: it allowed the best results to be obtained thanks to the integration of the radiologists' and archeologists' know-how during the actual analytical stages.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Radiologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meduri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pirronti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Calicchio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rispoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vidale
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marano
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D002516:Ceramics; D007492:Iran; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013785:Thailand; D014986:Xeroradiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Xeroradiografia e radiografia digitale a luminescenza nello studio delle tecniche di manifattura della ceramica antica. Vantaggi e limiti.