Large CT Scanner Introduced in South Korea for Non-Destructive Cultural Heritage Analysis

South Korea has acquired a large, cylindrical CT scanner, enabling detailed internal examinations of cultural heritage artifacts up to 3 meters in height without causing damage. The National Museum of Korea's Conservation Science Center unveiled the equipment, which features a diameter of 110 cm and a height of 300 cm.

This advanced CT scanner allows artifacts to remain stationary on a 검사대 (inspection table) while the X-ray generator rotates approximately 220 degrees and moves horizontally. This method significantly reduces the risk of damage, unlike older CT scanners that required rotating the artifact itself, posing a potential hazard.

The center demonstrated the new CT's capabilities by revealing findings from an examination of the 'Seated Vairocana Buddha' (Treasure), a wooden statue from 1622. Previously, its height of 117.5 cm made CT scanning difficult. The recent scan confirmed the presence of objects suspected to be 'bokjangmul' (sacred items enshrined within Buddhist statues or pagodas) in the statue's head and back.

The museum noted that this technology will be crucial for understanding the internal condition of wooden cultural assets, potentially uncovering more hidden historical details. The statue was created by 17 leading sculptors of the time under the patronage of Queen Inmok, the consort of King Gwanghae.

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The wooden cultural heritage's interior...