Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research

The role of 3D modelling in archaeology is increasing exponentially, from fieldwork to architecture to material culture studies. For the study of archaeological objects the roles of digital and print models for public engagement has been much considered in recent literature. For model makers, focus...

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Main Authors: Molloy Barry, Milić Marina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2018-04-01
Series:Open Archaeology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2018-0006
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spelling doaj-eacb1e3e24c341e7834d3ca172dcb7512021-10-02T17:48:50ZengDe GruyterOpen Archaeology2300-65602018-04-01419711310.1515/opar-2018-0006opar-2018-0006Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture ResearchMolloy Barry0Milić Marina1UCD School of Archaeology and UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, University College Dublin, IrelandIndependent researcher, University College London, London, UKThe role of 3D modelling in archaeology is increasing exponentially, from fieldwork to architecture to material culture studies. For the study of archaeological objects the roles of digital and print models for public engagement has been much considered in recent literature. For model makers, focus has typically been placed on exceptional and visually striking objects with inherent appeal. In contrast, this paper explores some of the potential roles for 3D digital models for routine artefact research and publication. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges this technology raises for archaeological theory and practice. Following a consideration of how 3D models relate to established illustration and photographic traditions, the paper evaluates some of the unique features of 3D models, focussing on both positive and negative aspects of these. This is followed by a discussion of the role of potential research connections between digital and craft models in experimental research. Our overall objective is to emphasise a need to engage with the ways in which this gradual development has begun to change aspects of longestablished workflows. In turn, the increasing use of this technology is argued to have wider ramifications for the development of archaeology, and material culture studies in particular, as a discipline that requires reflection.https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2018-0006material culture studies3d modellingreplicasexperimental archaeology
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Molloy Barry
Milić Marina
spellingShingle Molloy Barry
Milić Marina
Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
Open Archaeology
material culture studies
3d modelling
replicas
experimental archaeology
author_facet Molloy Barry
Milić Marina
author_sort Molloy Barry
title Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
title_short Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
title_full Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
title_fullStr Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
title_full_unstemmed Wonderful Things? A Consideration of 3D Modelling of Objects in Material Culture Research
title_sort wonderful things? a consideration of 3d modelling of objects in material culture research
publisher De Gruyter
series Open Archaeology
issn 2300-6560
publishDate 2018-04-01
description The role of 3D modelling in archaeology is increasing exponentially, from fieldwork to architecture to material culture studies. For the study of archaeological objects the roles of digital and print models for public engagement has been much considered in recent literature. For model makers, focus has typically been placed on exceptional and visually striking objects with inherent appeal. In contrast, this paper explores some of the potential roles for 3D digital models for routine artefact research and publication. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges this technology raises for archaeological theory and practice. Following a consideration of how 3D models relate to established illustration and photographic traditions, the paper evaluates some of the unique features of 3D models, focussing on both positive and negative aspects of these. This is followed by a discussion of the role of potential research connections between digital and craft models in experimental research. Our overall objective is to emphasise a need to engage with the ways in which this gradual development has begun to change aspects of longestablished workflows. In turn, the increasing use of this technology is argued to have wider ramifications for the development of archaeology, and material culture studies in particular, as a discipline that requires reflection.
topic material culture studies
3d modelling
replicas
experimental archaeology
url https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2018-0006
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