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CT scans unlock history’s secrets

Forensic anthropologist Bruno Frohlich uses a medical CT scanner to discover new details about artifacts as varied as mummies, Apollo spacesuits and and Stradivarius violins.

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Bruno Frohlich uses a CT scanner to examine the bones of a 16-year-old Mongolian boy who died 800 to 900 years ago. Frohlich works at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, where he scans thousands of artifacts in hopes of discovering ancient secrets.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Frohlich came to the Smithsonian in 1978 as a forensic anthropologist. In addition to his work as the museum's scanmaster, he spends half his time in Vermont aiding state police in homicide investigations.

Frohlich came to the Smithsonian in 1978 as a forensic anthropologist. In addition to his work as the museum's scanmaster, he spends half his time in Vermont aiding state police in homicide investigations.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Another look at the remains of the Mongolian boy Frohlich is studying. The Smithsonian flies Frohlich to Mongolia frequently to collaborate with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Another look at the remains of the Mongolian boy Frohlich is studying. The Smithsonian flies Frohlich to Mongolia frequently to collaborate with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Scans of this centuries-old natural mummy found in a Mongolian cave show the 35-year-old male was bludgeoned in the face and repeatedly stabbed in the head. Frohlich believes the man was killed because he had become 'dangerous to his community.'

Scans of this centuries-old natural mummy found in a Mongolian cave show the 35-year-old male was bludgeoned in the face and repeatedly stabbed in the head. Frohlich believes the man was killed because he had become "dangerous to his community."

Bruno Froelich

This image shows what the bludgeoned man looked like through the scanner.

This image shows what the bludgeoned man looked like through the scanner.

Bruno Froelich

Frolich's scans of violins were used to build three-dimensional maps of 11 Stradivarius violins, violas and cellos. Their innards were revealed in such high resolution that Frohlich could see tiny wormholes in the wood.

Frolich's scans of violins were used to build three-dimensional maps of 11 Stradivarius violins, violas and cellos. Their innards were revealed in such high resolution that Frohlich could see tiny wormholes in the wood.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

Scans of Stradivarius violins reveal a secret of their sonorous sound: Their maker used very thin wood.

Scans of Stradivarius violins reveal a secret of their sonorous sound: Their maker used very thin wood.

Bruno Frohlich

This dolphin skull is yet another artifact that has been run through Frohlich's CT scanner. The machine, donated by Siemens, arrived in September and retails for about $250,000. Before that, Frohlich was using an older model, also donated by Siemens.

This dolphin skull is yet another artifact that has been run through Frohlich's CT scanner. The machine, donated by Siemens, arrived in September and retails for about $250,000. Before that, Frohlich was using an older model, also donated by Siemens.

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

This bowl took a trip through the CT scanner. Of his work, Frohlich says, “You never know what you’ll find.”

This bowl took a trip through the CT scanner. Of his work, Frohlich says, “You never know what you’ll find.”

Mark Gail / The Washington Post

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