Modern medical imaging is being increasingly used to solve some ancient riddles. The latest archeological investigation made possible by current imaging technology? An analysis of victims from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago.
The first excavation workers studying the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum near the volcano made plaster casts of the victims of the eruption, and for the first time those casts have been put through a CT scan to take a look at the bones inside without destroying the plaster.
Early findings show the residents were in good health before the disaster, with particularly good teeth and evidently of a healthy diet. For more on the findings and the imaging being used, check out the report from CNET at the link below:
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.