National Museum of Korea Uses World's Largest CT Scanner to Find Relics

The National Museum of Korea installed a large CT scanner that revealed hidden relics inside the head of a wooden Buddha statue ^[1].

This technology allows historians to examine the internal composition of ancient artifacts without risking physical damage to the items. By eliminating the need for invasive procedures, the museum can preserve the structural integrity of priceless cultural heritage, while uncovering lost historical data.

The museum's new equipment is described as the world’s largest CT scanner dedicated to cultural heritage ^[1]. The facility in Seoul is designed to study the hidden structures of artifacts that were previously inaccessible to researchers.

During a recent examination, the museum scanned a wooden Vairocana Buddha statue measuring 1.2 meters in height ^[2]. The resulting images revealed a small relic hidden within the head of the figure ^[2]. This discovery demonstrates the scanner's ability to identify materials and voids inside solid objects.

"The CT scanner allows us to look inside priceless artifacts without ever touching them," Cha Yun-kyung said ^[1].

The process provides a non-destructive method for auditing the contents of statues and vessels. Traditional methods of inspection often required drilling or dismantling, but the high-resolution imaging provides a digital map of the object's interior.

Museum officials said the goal is to use these advanced imaging tools to better understand the craftsmanship and spiritual practices of the eras in which these artifacts were created. The ability to see through wood, metal, and stone ensures that the National Museum of Korea can continue its mission of preservation and study without compromising the safety of the objects ^[1].