Works of Art and Archaeological Objects

The 12 cm-high bronze statuette was reconstructed using 167 successive longitudinal planes. The full 3D volume, containing about 6.4 million voxels (0.4 mm3), was analyzed using our special software package, based on the " direct matrix " graphic representation method.

Reconstruction fineness and the details allow an internal analysis directly on the computer display. During analysis, various interesting internal details, obtained by an adequate choice of positions and plotted surfaces, were revealed.

The size of components inside the device and the bolt screw terminals may be clearly observed in the cross section.

Software " cutting " - performed through the statuette in some interesting areas - showed hidden internal details. The statuette's middle area was investigated in order to check the hypothesis that it was made by joining two pieces. The hypothesis was invalidated by 3D tomographic analysis as may be observed in the image that shows the continuity of the inner surface.  

Also, the 3D analysis pointed out an interesting detail: the repairer glued the broken left leg, probably with resin. Using our data processing program, the resin material was software "removed" and after rendering the remaining volume, a perfectly circular hole appeared. It seems that the hole was made with a 2 mm spiral drill, possibly with the intention to insert some reinforcement pin, but subsequently that intention was aborted for unknown reasons. 

36 successive images were computed from incremental view angles and then assembled together in a short movie.