Ancient Writing | Priceless artifacts | Modern technology
ABC Science・2 minutes read
Ancient Sumerians used cuneiform on clay tablets for communication, with Professor John Magnuson's CT scanning revealing hidden texts in clay envelopes without damage, aiding experts like Dr. Luis Siddell in translating ancient civilizations.
Insights
- CT scanning technology, as demonstrated by Professor John Magnuson, enables the non-invasive exploration of ancient clay envelopes, revolutionizing the study of cuneiform tablets without risking damage to the original artifacts.
- The collaboration between experts like Dr. Luis Siddell and advancements in 3D printing allows for the creation of precise replicas of cuneiform texts, facilitating enhanced translation efforts and providing valuable insights into the ancient Sumerian civilization.
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Recent questions
What is cuneiform?
Cuneiform is a form of writing on clay tablets.
How did Professor John Magnuson reveal hidden texts?
Professor John Magnuson used a baby CT scanner.
What challenge did clay envelopes pose for archaeologists?
Breaking them would destroy the contents.
How does CT scanning aid in translating cuneiform tablets?
CT scanning provides accurate replicas for translation.
What insights do CT scanning and 3D printing offer into ancient civilizations?
They offer new insights and aid in translation.
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Summary
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Unlocking Ancient Cuneiform with CT Scanning
- Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia developed writing on clay tablets known as cuneiform, preserving the earliest human communication from 3400 BC to the time of Christ.
- Clay envelopes were used to protect important documents, posing a challenge for archaeologists as breaking them would destroy the contents.
- Professor John Magnuson, head of radiology at Macquarie Medical Imaging, utilized a baby CT scanner to virtually open and reveal the hidden texts within the clay envelopes without damaging them.
- The innovative technique of digitally unwrapping cuneiform tablets through CT scanning and 3D printing accurate replicas offers new insights into ancient civilizations and aids in translation for experts like Dr. Luis Siddell.
