Using high energy X-ray imaging to reveal the internal structure of bronze-hilted Iron swords

Bibliographic Data

ID7309876
AuthorsYui Arimatsu (Hiroshima University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume69
Pages105540-105540
Publication date2025-12-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105540
OpenAlexW7111178847
LanguageEN
References cited11

Bronze-hilted iron swords excavated from northern Iran to the South Caucasus are considered the earliest iron tools discovered in these regions. These swords are important for understanding the adoption of iron in these regions, partly because of the possibility that the iron tangs remain inside the hilts without rusting. However, the details of the iron tangs and production techniques, including the method for combining iron and bronze, remain unclear. It is necessary to examine the internal structure of the bronze hilts. Tomography imaging has been attempted, but no concrete findings were achieved. This study utilized high-resolution X-ray imaging techniques, including three-dimensional Computed Tomography, to analyze the internal structure of bronze-hilted iron swords. This enabled the identification of the unique features of their internal structures, which appeared to differ according to pommel type. These techniques illuminated the limitations of early iron metalworking, the techniques used for bronze casting, and the trial-and-error process involved in these developments. These results indicate the efficacy of these imaging methods and suggest fruitful directions for further research on similar archaeological materials.

Energy (signal processing) · High energy · High heat · High resolution · Mineral · Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction · Metallurgy and Cultural Artifacts · Paleopathology and ancient diseases