German scientists disclosed Friday new evidence that the ancient Romans used mass-production methods to make metalwares at lesser cost, just like modern factories do. A close study of a 28-centimetre-tall bronze figure of the god Mercury made in the 2nd century AD showed it was hollow - an indication of cost cutting - and that its legs were made separately, indicating some kind of assembly line to exploit economies of scale.
Technical University of Munich scientists at the FRM-II research nuclear reactor in Garching near Munich blasted the statue with neutrons to reveal metal joins that are invisible to X-rays.
Physicist Martin Mühlbauer said the neutron tomography study was done on a statue lent by Munich's Archaeological
Museum.
Read the rest of this article...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.