Investigating the use of terahertz pulsed time domain reflection imaging for the study of fabric layers of an Egyptian mummy

K. Fukunaga; E. Cortes; A. Cosentino; I. StÃ¼nkel; M. Leona; I. N. Duling III; D. T. Mininberg

doi:10.2971/jeos.2011.11040

Journal of the European Optical Society - Rapid publications, Vol 6 (2011)

Investigating the use of terahertz pulsed time domain reflection imaging for the study of fabric layers of an Egyptian mummy

K. Fukunaga, E. Cortes, A. Cosentino, I. StÃ¼nkel, M. Leona, I. N. Duling III, D. T. Mininberg

Abstract

This paper reports the first use of terahertz time domain reflection imaging involving textiles on part of a complete human mummy, still in original wrapping. X-ray technique has been used extensively to investigate anatomical features, since X-ray pass through the wrapping. Terahertz waves, on the other hand, can penetrate into non-metallic materials and its reflection depends on the refractive index of materials at the interface, such as textiles and the air. The mummy of Kharushere (ca. 945-712 B.C.) was examined by using Terahertz time domain reflection imaging in the Egyptian galleries of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Experimental results suggest that the Terahetz imaging is a promising technique for probing the fabric layers surrounding Egyptian mummies, although it is still very limited in its current state. In the future it could become a useful complement to CT scanning when materials with low radiographic density and contrast are being investigated.

Full Text: PDF

Citation Details

Cite this article

References

Federico Cesarani, Maria Cristina Martina, Andrea Ferraris, Renato Grilletto, Rosa Boano, Elisa Fiore Marochetti, Anna Maria Donadoni and Giovanni Gandini, "Whole-Body Three-Dimensional Multidetector CT of 13 Egyptian Human Mummies", Am. J. Roentgenol., 180, 597-606 (2002).

Heidi Hoffman, William E. Torres, and Randy D. Ernst "Paleoradiology: Advanced CT in the Evaluation of Nine Egyptian Mummies", Radiographics, 22, 377-385 (2002).

Rosalie. David Ed., Egyptian Mummies and Modern Science, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008).

Daniel Mittleman Ed., Sensing with terahertz radiation, (Springer, Berlin, 2003).

Masayoshi Tonouchi, "Cutting edge terahertz technology", Nat. Photonics, 1 97-105, (2007).

Kaori Fukunaga, Yuichi Ogawa, Shin'ichiro Hayashi and Iwao Hosako, "Terahertz Spectroscopy for Art Conservation", IEICE Electron. Expr.,4, 258-263 (2007).

J.B. Jackson, M. Mourou, J.F. Whitaker, I.N. Duling III, S.L. Williamson, M. Menu and G.A. Mourou, "Terahertz imaging for non-destructive evaluation of mural paintings", Opt. Commun., 281, 527-532 (2008).

J. Labaune, J. B. Jackson, S. Pages-Camagna, I. N. Duling, M. Menu and G. A. Mourou, "Papyrus imaging with Terahertz time domain spectroscopy", Appl. Phys. A-Mater., 100, 607-612 (2010).

Kaori Fukunaga and Iwao Hosako, "Innovative non-invasive analysis techniques for cultural heritage using terahertz technology", C. R. Phys., 11, 519-526 (2010).

L. Ohrström, A. Bitzer, M. Walther, F. J. R´zhli, "Technical Note: Terahertz Imaging of Ancient Mummies and Bone", Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 142, 497-500 (2010).

D.T. Mininberg, "The Museum´s Mummies: an Inside View, Neurosurgery", 49, 192-199 (2001).

I. N. Duling and David Zimdars, "Terahertz imaging: Revealing hidden defects", Nat. Photonics, 3, 630-632 (2009).

N. Kamba, Y. Tsuchiya, A. Okimoto, K. Fukunaga, "Internal Structure Observation of a Japanese Panel Painted Screen by Terathertz Imaging Technique", in Proceeding 10th International Conference on non-destructive investigations and microanalysis for the diagnostics and conservation of cultural and environmental heritage, NDT-41 (2011).

J. Elias, C. Lupton, "The Role of Computed Axial Tomography in the Study of the Mummies of Akhmim", in Proceeding V World Congress on Mummy Studies. (J. Biol. Res., 2005) pp. 34-38.