Diagnostic imaging at the service of archaeology and restoration: the examination was carried out at the request of restorer Laura Rivaroli to support the study and conservation of the artefact.
Rome, 6 July 2026 – A bronze head from San Casciano dei Bagni, one of the most significant archaeological contexts discovered in Italy in recent years, has undergone a CT scan at Paideia International Hospital.
The activity was requested by Dr. Laura Rivaroli, the restorer involved in the study and restoration of the artefact, with the aim of acquiring information not visible from the outside and useful for guiding the subsequent conservation phases.
CT scanning, generally used in the clinical field to obtain detailed images of the inside of the human body, was in this case applied to an archaeological artefact, offering a concrete example of how diagnostic imaging can become a valuable tool for the protection and study of cultural heritage.
In the case of ancient metal artefacts, often covered with concretions and layers of alteration, radiological investigation can help to understand the internal structure of the work, the distribution of the metal, the presence of any cavities, fractures or discontinuities and, more generally, the state of conservation of the artefact. This information is essential for planning a safer, more respectful and more informed restoration intervention.
“The CT examination allows us to observe the artefact without intervening directly on its surface. It is a non-invasive tool that makes it possible to understand what is preserved beneath the concretions and to make restoration choices with greater precision,” explains Dr. Laura Rivaroli.
The examination was carried out within the Diagnostic Imaging Department of Paideia International Hospital, with the support of the facility’s technical and healthcare staff and through scheduling organised in such a way as not to interfere with normal clinical activity.
“This is a significant example of collaboration between apparently distant fields: medicine, technology, restoration and archaeology. Diagnostic imaging can offer an important contribution not only to the care of people, but also to the knowledge and protection of cultural heritage,” says Fabiana De Angelis, CEO of Paideia.
For Paideia International Hospital, the activity represents an opportunity to make advanced technologies and specialist expertise available for a project of high cultural value, confirming the facility’s role as an organisation capable of promoting innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and attention to the local area.
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