Application of Two and Three Dimensional Neutron Imaging with Focus on Cultural Heritage Research

Heritage is mankind’s legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Cultural and natural heritages are of high importance for further understanding of past, present and future. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. World Heritage is important to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.There is a continuous need from the Cultural Heritage (CH) community for non-invasive characterisation of their research objects which include irreplaceable unique findings recovered from Archaeological-, Palaeontologic-, Human evolution- and Historical sites.  Answers needed entail identification of ancient manufacturing technology, detection of hidden objects, mensuration, authentication, provenance and the identification of best ways of conservation, etc. Neutron imaging (NI) technology, that also entails 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional results, provides a unique non-destructive bulk analytical capability to the CH community. New imaging techniques under development expand the capability of the existing NI technology in the field of chemical and/or elemental analysis.  This new CRP intends to harmonize selected Neutron-based Imaging techniques to provide state-of-the-art end user services in the area of Cultural Heritage research. The CRP promotes NI technology utilization in interested Member States, especially those in developing countries in order to encourage exploitation of all types of neutron sources for NI through CH research activities. This project will also strengthen collaboration between the NI specialists and researchers from the CH community.