Original scientific paper
THE USE OF PALEO-IMAGING AND MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING IN THE ANALYSIS OF ANTIQUE CULTURAL MATERIAL: MULTISLICE COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY, MAMMOGRAPHY, AND MICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF THE TROGIR CATHEDRAL COPE HOOD DEPICTING ST. MARTIN AND A BEGGAR
Mislav Čavka
; University Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Anja Petaros
; Department of Forensic Medicine, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Lovro Kavur
; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Jasenka Škrlin
; University of Zagreb, Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Infections, Zagreb, Croatia
Emilija Mlinarić Missoni
; Croatian National Institute of Public Health, Reference Centre for Diagnostics of Systemic Mycoses, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivor Janković
; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Boris Brkljačić
; University Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Paleoradiology is the study of biological and other materials from archeological settings through the use of various medical imaging techniques. Although it is most often used in the scientific study of ancient human remains, it can also be used to study metals, ceramics, paper, and clothes. The aim of this study was to test two paleoimaging techniques (MSCT and mammography) in the analysis of an important Croatian liturgical vestment: the hood of a bishop’s cope from St. Lawrence’s Treasury in Trogir depicting St. Martin and a beggar. To ensure a safe environment for scientists participating in the analysis, a preliminary microbiological analysis was performed, which contributed to the database of microbiological flora found on Croatian archeological remains and relics studied to date. Due to a great amount of metal filaments, the paleoradiological analysis did not produce satisfactory results. However, a digitally enhanced image clearly showed fine metal embroidery of the hood that was not so easily perceived by naked eye. This article argues in favor of expanding paleoradiological studies on materials other than
human remains and also of publishing unsatisfactory results, as important lessons for future development of techniques and methods to analyze ancient remains and seek answers about
human historical and cultural heritage.
Keywords
paleoradiology; liturgical vestment; archaeology; Trogir; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
106166
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2013.
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