Enabling 3D CT-scanning of cultural heritage objects using only in-house 2D X-ray equipment in museums

Computed tomography (CT) is a powerful technique for visualizing the internal structure of museum objects, but the lack of affordable and versatile CT equipment in museums hinders its widespread adoption. This paper proposes a novel approach for creating accurate CT reconstructions using only standard 2D radiography equipment already available in most larger museums. The approach combines basic X-ray imaging equipment, a tailored marker-based image acquisition protocol, and sophisticated data-processing algorithms. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through CT scans performed at the British Museum, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Rijksmuseum, paving the way for broader facilitation and adoption of CT technology across museums worldwide.

Francien G. Bossema, Willem Jan Palenstijn, Arlen Heginbotham, Madeline Corona, Tristan van Leeuwen, Robert van Liere, Jan Dorscheid, Daniel O’Flynn, Joanne Dyer, Erma Hermens, K. Joost Batenburg