I have been absent for a while, working on my thesis, but I return with an update on some 3D projects in Egyptology. See also my previous post.
The Petrie Museum, who has made stunning 3D images of some of their artefacts in the 3DPetrie project, let us participate in photo masking shabtis from their museum in order to create 3D images. The pilot is finished now, but the website of MicroPasts has many more crowdsourced projects in which you can lend a hand!
The researchers at Macquarie University have developed a Virtual Egyptology program using an interactive library of 3D scanned artefacts. The pilot can be found here. Read more about the project here and here.
Other cultural heritage can of course be 3D scanned as well. Think of China’s terracotta army.
A consumer scanner has been introduced in the form of iSense: a 3D scanner add-on for your iPad. For a couple of hundred euros, it’s yours.
Besides 3D scanning, 3D printing is becoming ever more affordable and applicable. What about 3D printing faience?
Kendal Museum is replicating Egyptian artefacts using 3D technology so they can be handled by school children. Read about it here and here.
The Met is also planning to use 3D technology to enhance the experience of their visitors. In the article, some hard- and software is mentioned.
Earlier this year, the replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened at Luxor. I hope to be able to visit it soon to tell you if the experience matches the original!
Even without an expensive 3D scanner, smaller objects can simply be photographed using a digital SLR camera from a hundred different angles, using software to stitch the images into 3D models. What I am interested in is 3D scanning wall reliefs. Can anyone help me with information regarding the process and cost of 3D scanning reliefs and monuments?
UPDATE: Watch a short presentation showing the use of 3D imaging in reconstructing the shabti mass production process.