X-ray imaging reveals what the eye cannot see, without altering the artwork. CIRAM supports can help you study and conserve them.
Contact our teams
Many heritage objects contain elements invisible to the naked eye: internal cracks, hidden structures, undocumented restorations or complex manufacturing techniques. Just as optical imagingX-ray imaging can detect them without contact or sampling.
Whether you need toauthenticating a work of artor assessing the state of conservation of an ancient artifact, this method offers an in-depth reading to guide decisions related to conservation, expertise, restoration or enhancement.
When you call on CIRAM supports, you benefit from personalized scientific support tailored to the heritage and commercial challenges of each project.
Contact our teamsX-ray imaging is based on a simple principle: X-rays penetrate matter and are absorbed differently depending on the density and composition of the material. This contrast reveals internal information invisible on the surface.
Unlike invasive methods, X-ray radiography :
This method is particularly suitable for rare or fragile worksart ancient artefacts, and to any object whose integrity must be respected. It applies to museums, private collections, as well as to archaeological excavation sites.
Thanks to fixed laboratory or portable equipment for on-site interventions, CIRAM guarantees examinations adapted to each context, while respecting conservation and handling constraints.
Request a quoteThe X-ray Provides a 2D image of an object's internal structure. It allows for:
CIRAM uses high-precision radiography systems, available in both portable and laboratory versions. This allows for great flexibility of intervention : on site (museum, gallery, archaeological site) or under controlled laboratory conditions.
The CT scan (or computed tomography) is a 3D imaging technique based on radiography. It allows for detailed volumetric exploration of the interior of an object, thanks to successive digitally reconstructed slices.
In the art market, the CT scanning is an advanced authentication tool, particularly for sculptures:
In archaeologyit can be used to :
The CT scanning offers complete and non-invasive 3D modeling, but requires a laboratory visit (non-portable technology).
Since 2005, CIRAM supports has been supporting heritage professionals in the analysis and conservation of ancient works and objects. Our multi-disciplinary team - physicists, archaeologists, engineers - mobilizes cutting-edge technologies to respond to each project with precision, scientific rigor and adaptability.
Whether you need toanalyze old mortarscertification date an old workor scan a cinerary urnCIRAM selects the imaging method (X-ray or CT scan), and intervenes in the laboratory or on site, as required.
Each analysis is accompanied by interpretable visuals (X-ray images, films or 3D models), a detailed report, and recommendations tailored to your needs: conservation, attribution, restoration, enhancement.
Contact our teamsPaintings, sculptures, archaeological objects, metal artifacts, sealed objects... Most materials can be studied.
No, the techniques used by CIRAM are non-destructive and respect the physical integrity of the objects.
Conventional X-rays provide a flat image, while CT scans allow 3D modeling, providing a finer reading.
Yes, CIRAM offers portable equipment for on-site analysis, in museums or on excavation sites.
This depends on the complexity of the object. An X-ray can be completed in a few hours, while a CT scan requires a longer processing time.
Reading time: Written by: Article outline CIRAM recently dated two pieces of fossilized wood: a “morta” oak and a marsh yew. Both were found buried in the same place…
Choosing the right dating method in archaeology is not just a technical issue: it is a key decision that guides the entire interpretation of a site. Which technique to choose...
How can we retrace the invisible history of ecosystems and better understand the dynamics of biodiversity? Thanks to carbon-14 dating, researchers now have a scientific tool that they can use to...
Distinguishing a work of art in bronze from one in brass is not possible at a glance, however expert. Deceptive patinas, invisible restorations, sophisticated forgeries...
How do you know whether a work of art, an archaeological object or a heritage item is really as old as it claims to be? Carbon-14 dating is often the method of choice, but it can also be used to...
A simple signature can make the difference between an anonymous work and a masterpiece valued in the millions on the art market. But what happens when that signature is...
