The use of SR-μCT (Synchrotron Radiation micro Computed Tomography) is a non-invasive imaging technique that enables to observe and analyse the external and internal structures of objects without destroying them.
This imaging technique is based on the property of X-rays to penetrate material and be absorbed according to the nature and density of its constituents. During a scan, a set of digital X-rays of the sample under analysis is recorder from different angles. After a long-lasting operation known as “reconstruction”, this data is used for 3D visualization.

Background & goal
The stay on the PUMA beamline at Synchrotron-SOLEIL took place from November 19 to 24, 2024. Since the last 20 years, the use of synchrotron radiation techniques to study cultural heritage and archaeological materials has undergone a steep increase (Bertrand et al. 2011). However, until now, synchrotron radiation has rarely been used to address issues related to plant domestication (Murphy et al. 2017, 2019, Barron 2023).


The purpose of the experimentation was to acquire images to measure seed-coat thickness considered as a recurring trait in plant domestication. The use of SR-μCT supports on-going research that aims to discriminate wild and domesticated opium poppy seeds using geometry-morphometrics method (GMM) and DNA. Three types of samples have been processed : modern seeds, experimental charred seeds and archaeological ones (Neolithic and Bronze age).




Team
P. Gueriau (UNIL, IPANEMA) and S. X. Cohen (CNRS, IPANEMA) played a major role in the conceptualisation, methodological development and implementation of the experiment. L. Martin (Unige, Edytem) made a valuable and joyfull contribution to the delicate handling of the samples to be X-rayed.

Acknowledgements
Thanks to S. Schöder (beamline manager, IPANEMA), for his warm welcome and C. Hairie (IPANEMA), for her enthusiastic presence all along the experiment. Finally, thanks to providers of archaeological samples, namely F. Antolin (DAI), L. Martin and O. Akeret (Universität Basel), as well as M. Lemoine (CNRS, BIOARCH) for its support in charring of modern seeds.
To be continued !
Bibliography
Barron A. 2024. « Applications of Microct Imaging to Archaeobotanical Research », Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 31, 2 : 557‑592. DOI : 10.1007/s10816-023-09610-z.
Bertrand L., Cotte M., Stampanoni M., Thoury M., Marone F. & Schöder S. 2012. « Development and trends in synchrotron studies of ancient and historical materials », Physics Reports, 519, 2 : 51‑96.
Murphy C. & Fuller D.Q. 2017. « Seed coat thinning during horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) domestication documented through synchrotron tomography of archaeological seeds », Scientific Reports, 7, 1 : 5369.
Murphy C., Fuller D.Q., Stevens C., Gregory T., Parracho Silva F., Dal Martello R., Song J., Bodey A.J. & Rau C. 2019. « Looking beyond the surface: Use of high resolution X-ray computed tomography on archaeobotanical remains », Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica, 10, 1 : 7‑18.
Websites
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Aurélie Salavert (November 29, 2024). A fascinating travel inside opium poppy seeds with SR-µCT technique. Opium Poppy. Retrieved May 24, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/12soq