Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) has become an essential technique for conducting research on heritage materials. In archaeology and palaeontology, X-ray CT provides information on the internal and external structures of a specimen which facilitates investigations in several directions and also the preservation of the specimens. We present some results obtained using computed tomography on the measurement of the cortical bone thickness of ungulate long bones to infer animal class sizes. We also present an application of micro-CT on a specimen for determining a pre-existing degenerative joint disease. Finally, we consider the possibilities of using ptychography in archaeology and palaeontology to obtain higher resolution data, with examples of some of the work done at the i13 beamline at the Diamond Light Source.