Lead is essentially transparent to neutrons; hydrogen-rich organic materials are, in contrast, relatively opaque. The technique has been widely used in archaeology, so ... what's the hold up here ? Instead, they poked a hole in something that has been sealed from outside air for centuries.
I've never seen neutron tomography used, but this is a case that begs for it. Also some scrolls which are too fragile to open.
a corsage imaged by neutrons
a long-buried rifle, ditto. The bottommost picture is an X-ray, clearly showing the lead bullet (ball). The neutron images show mud and gunpowder in the barrel, but the lead ball is invisible!
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/231615/view/neutron-radiograph-of-candlestick-behind-wall
The oldest, best known image (AFAIK) of neutron radiography. Why this isn't public domain, I don't know.
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