CT scans of Late Iron-Age sword reveal new form of burial offering
In November 2024, the National X-ray Computed Tomography (NXCT) facilities in University College London were asked to produce detailed CT images of pieces of a recently excavated Late Iron-Age sword.
The CT imaging was part of a program of investigative conservation of materials from a Late Iron Age burial site in West Sussex. The site was excavated by Archaeology South-East, and they were keen to research the composite construction of the sword, scabbard and associated fittings.
CT Scan of sword showing decorative details
The sword was excavated in several pieces, which meant that each piece had to be scanned separately, then digitally fitted together. This presented a challenge to the NXCT team due to the varying preservation, thickness, density and materials used in the sword’s construction.
The composite images that were produced allowed us to see previously unseen details of the sword, such as decorative metal rivets and mounts associated with organic wrappings. These fittings, used in a burial context, have not been recorded in any other similar monuments in Britain, making this sword a very important archaeological discovery. This is already inspiring discussion among academics and museum professionals regarding the display and interpretation of these delicate and fragmentary objects.
“This project has revealed exciting new ways to explore and understand the sword. Using CT scans to digitally piece together the fragments has revealed details we’d never have seen otherwise, shedding light on an unusual Late Iron Age artefact. The project has informed dialogue among archaeologists and curators and shows how technology can unlock new insights. Collaborating with Dr Francesco Iacoviello (Experimental Manager and Co-Director of the NXCT) also made the results more accessible, helping bridge gaps between research, conservation, and public engagement.”
Alastair Threlfall, Senior Archaeologist/Conservator Archaeology South-East/UCL
Collaboration with colleagues from the National X-ray Computed Tomography (NXCT) department was instrumental in generating visual renderings of the sword and its associated fittings. The sword pieces were scanned using a Nikon XTH 225. These images will be important in showing the sword to a broad audience, beyond the radiography community, particularly those utilising less specialised computing hardware and software. This represents a critical area for future development, wherein archaeological research requirements can inform and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
This analysis will contribute to an Archaeology South-East monograph, published under the in-house SpoilHeap Monograph series, and contribute in a wider way to academic discussion on the provenance and construction of these rare prehistoric objects.
