Abstract-Application of a robotic THz imaging system for sub-surface analysis of ancient human remains

Eva-Maria Stübling, Arno Rehn, Tabea Siebrecht, Yannick Bauckhage, Lena Öhrström, Patrick Eppenberger, Jan C. Balzer, Frank Rühli, Martin Koch,

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-40211-7

We used a robotic-based THz imaging system to investigate the sub-surface structure of an artificially mummified ancient Egyptian human left hand. The results obtained are compared to the results of a conventional CT and a micro-CT scan. Using such a robotic THz system promises new insights into the sub-surface structure of human remains. The depth resolution of the THz images exceeds the resolution of a conventional CT scan and is comparable with a micro-CT scan. The advantage of THz measurements over micro-CT scans is the fact that even comparatively large samples, like complete bodies, can be scanned. These would not fit into a conventional micro-CT scanner.

Terahertz Imaging Modalities of Ancient Egyptian Mummified Objects and of a Naturally Mummified Rat

The Anatomical Record

Volume 298,  Issue 6, pages 1135–1143, June 2015

1. Lena Öhrström¹, 
2. Bernd M. Fischer^2,3, 
3. Andreas Bitzer^4,5, 
4. Jan Wallauer^4,5, 
5. Markus Walther^4,5 and
6. Frank Rühli^1,*

Article first published online: 22 MAY 2015

DOI: 10.1002/ar.23143

© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Issue The Anatomical Record The Anatomical Record Volume 298, Issue 6, pages 1135–1143, June 2015

During the last few years, terahertz (THz) imaging has been used to investigate artwork and historic artifacts. The application of THz imaging to mummy investigations is very attractive since it provides spectroscopic information over a broad frequency range and its radiation has proven to be harmless to human cells. However, compared with the current standard imaging methods in mummy imaging—X-ray and computed tomography (CT)—it remains a novel, emerging technique whose potential still needs to be fully evaluated. Here, ancient Egyptian mummified objects as well as a naturally mummified rat have been investigated by two different THz imaging systems: a broadband THz time domain imaging system and an electronic THz scanner. The obtained THz images are compared with conventional CT, X-ray, and magnetic resonance images. While the broadband THz time domain setup permits analyses of smaller samples, the electronic THz scanner allows the recording of data of thicker and larger samples at the expense of a limited spectral bandwidth. Terahertz imaging shows clear potential for mummy investigations, although currently CT imaging offers much higher spatial resolution. Furthermore, as commercial mobile THz scanners become available, THz imaging could be applied directly in museums or at excavation sites. Anat Rec, 298:1135–1143, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.