Indagini sperimentali di danno d'Acciaio Spada All'interno fodero Utilizzando Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

The Virtual Unsheathing: Surgical 3D Interrogation of a 250-Year-Old Sunken Sword

Titolo: Indagini sperimentali di danno d'Acciaio Spada All'interno fodero Utilizzando Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Ugur GIOVANI,tr, Asım HORASAN
Event: 2ND Conferenza Internazionale sulla Scienza e Ingegneria in arti, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA), (June 20-21, 2016), University of Oxford, UK.
Year: 2016

When Advanced Medical Imaging Meets Maritime Archaeology

The Battle of Cesme (1770) left behind more than just shipwrecks; it left a frozen moment in time. In 2015, a sword recovered from the wreckage of the Russian Admiral ship Yevstafiy was brought to our laboratory. It was a complex composite of brass, wood, leather, and steel, fused together by two centuries of marine corrosion.

The challenge was unprecedented: How could we assess the internal condition of a sword that we could not unsheathe? Traditional flat-panel imaging failed to penetrate the dense layers. By pioneering the use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)—normally reserved for dental and maxillofacial surgery—we performed a virtual ‘biopsy’ on the artifact. This investigation allowed us to visualize the internal fractures, the spongy state of the mineralized iron, and the galvanic decay occurring beneath the brass fittings without ever disturbing the fragile physical integrity of the piece.

Key Highlights & Impact

Medical Technology for Heritage: Successfully adapting CBCT technology for high-spatial resolution 3D reconstruction of composite maritime artifacts.

IL “Water Chamber” Simulation: Developing a unique mechanical simulation apparatus filled with water to mimic soft tissue, ensuring accurate density measurements (HU values) of the sword’s internal components.

Galvanic Decay Insights: Detecting how the iron core corroded faster due to contact with brass (galvanic reaction), proving that ‘iron acts as a sacrificial anode’ within the scabbard.

Oxford Recognition: Presenting this innovative methodology at the University of Oxford, establishing a new standard for non-invasive maritime conservation diagnostics.

giovane, il. and Horasan, UN. (2016). "Indagine sperimentale sul danno della spada d'acciaio all'interno del suo fodero utilizzando la tomografia computerizzata a fascio conico (CBCT)" [Manifesto], 2nt Conferenza internazionale sulla scienza e l'ingegneria nelle arti, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA), 20-21 June, University of Oxford, UK.

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