The 3D Visibility of Rust: Micro Computed Tomography Investigations of a Roman Iron Nail from Aguntum

The restoration of iron finds is still a particularly complex area within the science of archaeological conservation, as severe signs of corrosion occur from the moment of recovery and the associated radical change in environmental parameters. The results of this study show that it is possible to create three-dimensional models of an iron find using non-invasive µCT examinations to identify the different layers and phases of corrosion based on mineralogical investigations and thus to assess the state of preservation of the iron object. The resulting visibility of the corrosion zones provides an important basis for further treatment of iron artefacts after recovery (packaging, desalination, storage, etc.), since the goal is the long-term preservation of cultural heritage made of iron.