Dr Susanna Harris
Published: 3 May 2021
July 2018
Looking inside the past: CT scanning ancient textiles.
Statement on the research and image for inclusion on the CSCS website
Dr Susanna Harris, Lecturer in Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of Glasgow
Micro computed tomography (CT) is a three-dimensional x-radiography imaging technique. It derives from medical applications to look inside bodies and object without cutting them open. This is ideal for non-destructive analysis of rare and delicate archaeological textiles. “Looking inside the past: CT scanning ancient textiles” collected micro CT data for archaeological textile artefacts of Britain to explore their internal structure. Software analysis carried out by A. Douglas for her MLitt dissertation, supervised by S.Harris at the University of Glasgow, revealed how Bronze Age textiles are folded, rolled and stored. Exploratory scanning of modern mixed materials (silver, gold, wool and linen textiles) serve as a pilot for micro CT scanning of textile and metal artefacts of the Viking Age Galloway Hoard dated to the 10th century.
First published: 3 May 2021
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