Connected microscopy and digital technology for enhanced scientific archaeology

伦敦大学学院考古学研究所需要投资，以通过考古材料的数字化和成像来支持其科学考古学的研究和教学。特别是，迫切需要对设备进行投资，以支持对研究所收集的遗骸进行研究和管理。通过该奖项，我们将采购一系列免费设备，以实现对考古遗迹的深入显微分析和数字化。光学显微镜使用可见光和透镜放大小样本的图像。例如，生物考古学家使用光学显微镜观察薄切片内骨细胞（骨单位）的数量和大小。相比之下，SEM使用高功率电子扫描物体表面以产生高度放大的图像，同时还识别样品的化学成分。当以相关的方式一起使用时，光学显微镜和SEM为不同考古材料的研究提供了一系列应用。因此，拟议的设备将增强IoA提供的显微镜能力，并将支持研究和教学中的一系列应用。此外，它将使学者们把他们的研究在新的方向，从而保持我们作为科学考古学的研究领导者的地位。我们的部门与博物馆，考古咨询，和遗产组织内外伦敦密切合作。许多遗产组织的一个关键优先事项是保存考古标本，因此通过非破坏性方法对藏品进行分析至关重要。因此，这些设备将为伦敦大学学院的考古学研究和教学提供新的途径，同时也促进了科学研究的传播，并通过技术的数字能力实现联合生产。

The UCL Institute of Archaeology requires investment in order to support its research and teaching in scientific archaeology through the digitisation and imaging of archaeological materials. In particular, there is a pressing need for investment in equipment to support research into, and the curation of, the Institute's collections of skeletal remains. Through this award, we will procure a range of complimentary equipment that enables the in-depth microscopic analysis and digitization of archaeological remains.An optical light microscope uses visible light and lenses to magnify the image of a small sample. For example, light microscopes are used by Bioarchaeologists to observe the number and size of bone cells (osteons) within a thin section. In contrast, an SEM uses high-powered electrons to scan an object's surface to produce a highly magnified image, whilst also identifying the sample's chemical composition. When used together in a correlative fashion, light microscopy and SEM provide a range of applications to the study of different archaeological materials. The proposed equipment will therefore enhance the microscopy capabilities on offer at the IoA, and will support a range of applications in research and teaching. Moreover, it will allow academics to take their research in new directions thereby maintaining our position as a research leader in scientific archaeology.Our department works closely with museums, archaeological consultancies, and heritage organisations within and beyond London. A key priority for many heritage organisations is the preservation of archaeological specimens, and therefore the analysis of collections through non-destructive methods are vitally important. This equipment will therefore provide new avenues for research and teaching in Archaeology at UCL, whilst also facilitating the dissemination of scientific research, and enabling co-production through the technology's digital capabilities.