Modern medical imaging at the University of Cumbria is helping archaeologists gain new insights into the region’s Roman past.
Artefact imaging sessions are bringing student radiographers and medical imaging science academics at the university together with members of the team from community archaeology Uncovering Roman Carlisle project.
Two sessions at the university’s Fusehill Street campus have already enabled students to learn about different approaches to conservation and the national significance of the site and artefacts found at the Roman dig site at Carlisle Cricket Club.
Students have also been able to x-ray artefacts, helping to unlock secrets to some of the items found at the Edenside ground.
X-rays are invaluable in helping to understand the conservation needs of the objects and create a lasting record of them.
Emerging from x-rays so far have been remarkably clear examples of a utility knife, fragments of sword blades, knives, spear points, spear butt-spikes and ferrules (the blunt base of a spear), as well as what may be lynch pins and nails.
Particularly exciting has been evidence suggesting the remains of an iron strigil, a tool used in Roman bathhouses to scrape sweat, mud and oils from the body upon which further investigation will be required.
The hands-on sessions have allowed students to uncover valuable information about the Roman items including:
- Internal structure and shape of the artefacts.
- Hidden decoration and inlays, or rivets.
- Mechanisms (like ones that may be found in a lock).
- Informing conservation treatment needs.
- Assessing if there were embedded artefacts hidden in lumps of concretions.
The sessions have been organised by Dr Iain McDonald, a senior lecturer in medical imaging sciences in the University of Cumbria Institute of Health.
Iain has worked alongside medical sciences lecturer Kimberley Bradshaw and senior technician Jonny Forsyth to facilitate the sessions for first, second and third-year students.
Dr McDonald said: “We’ve loved working with the Uncovering Roman Carlisle team, using our state-of-the-art X-ray equipment at the Fusehill campus to reveal fascinating new insights into life in Roman Carlisle.
“Our BSc Diagnostic Radiography students across all three years showed real enthusiasm and professionalism, producing high-quality images and embracing this unique learning experience.
“A huge thank you to the archaeologists for providing the artefacts and sharing their expertise in uncovering the stories behind them. It is a fantastic collaboration and we’re excited to see many more artefacts brought to life through X-ray imaging in the future.”
