Application of 3D Ultrasonic Tomography in Cultural Heritage: The Case of the Ustica Sculpture

This study investigates the structural integrity and authenticity of a small volcanic tuff sculpture discovered on May 21, 1991, at the Middle Bronze Age site of Faraglioni Village on the island of Ustica. The artifact, a stylized female figure found in two fragments by archaeologists R.R. Holloway and S.S. Lukesh, was proposed as the earliest example of Bronze Age sculpture in Sicily. However, a 1993 letter suggested that modern fabrication had induced a dispute over its authenticity. To evaluate this claim, a high-resolution 3D Ultrasonic Tomography (UST) analysis was performed. The measured ultrasonic wave velocities are 1-2 km/s, consistent with those of porous, low-density pyroclastic rocks, such as volcanic tuffs. These values are significantly lower than those of compact lavas, supporting the identification of the material as tuff. The UST results confirm material coherence between the two fragments and suggest the sculpture is consistent with volcanic stone, verifying its authenticity.