Micro-computed tomography imaging and segmentation of the archaeological textiles from Valmarinniemi

Abstract

Archaeological textiles represent a variety of structures and materials, often subject to post-depositional effects such as dirt and decay. In this study, we examined textiles in 3D with high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) imaging and studied the internal structures and patterns of textiles. In addition, nanoscale CT was used to identify fibre material. Two tablet-woven textile fragments and a plain-woven textile were excavated from a late medieval burial site in Valmarinniemi, Finland. Two textiles were scanned with μCT imaging and one with nanoscale CT imaging. Image segmentation was performed to study the internal structural components of the fabrics, yarns, and fibres. The tablet-woven ribbon and plain-woven textile were imaged and visualised in 3D using high-resolution μCT and nanoscale CT imaging. 3D μCT images together with segmenting showed the structure of the woven textiles and how warp and weft intertwine. Nanoscale CT imaging of plain-woven fragment showed individual fibres and provided information in identifying the fibres as cotton. High-resolution μCT and nanoscale CT enabled the examination and identification of archaeological textiles in 3D. Thus, μCT imaging brings added value to the study of archaeological textiles with a precise method to study internal structures that otherwise would be invisible or difficult to examine and evaluate yarn and individual fibre geometry in a way that is less laborious and time-consuming than conventional methods.

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