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UAL Research Online

Digital reconstruction of fragmented archaeological objects

Velios, Athanasios and Harrison, John (2007) Digital reconstruction of fragmented archaeological objects. Studies in Conservation, 52 (1). pp. 19-36. ISSN 0039-3630

Type of Research: Article
Creators: Velios, Athanasios and Harrison, John
Description:

Abstract:
Archaeological objects are often discovered broken into many pieces, and reassembling the original object by solving the 'three-dimensional puzzle' is a time-consuming and expensive task, referred to here as the fragmentation problem. This paper describes a methodology that can facilitate the matching of fragments from broken objects, with the use of statistical analysis and three-dimensional computer models. First, the nature of three-dimensional computer models of archaeological objects is explained, emphasizing the benefits of using unit normal vectors to characterize their surfaces. A computer-based model of such an object can be separated into clearly defined and different surfaces through a process called segmentation.The resulting segments are then subjected to a novel statistical analysis, which is based on the calculation of eigenvalues of the unit vectors in Riemannian space. This allows the fragments' surfaces to be characterized, and it is this characterization that leads to fragment matching. As part of the research, a pilot study was undertaken using objects from the Propylaia of Athens and ancient Messini. The results are presented and ways proposed of both improving the methodology and using it in other conservation-related applications.

This study took place at the Acropolis, Athens, one of the most significant world heritage sites for archaeological building conservation.

Official Website: http://www.iiconservation.org/publications/sic/sic.php
Your affiliations with UAL: Colleges > Camberwell College of Arts
Research Centres/Networks > LIGATUS Research Centre
Date: 2007
Funders: National Scholarship Foundation of Greece
Date Deposited: 07 Dec 2009 12:26
Last Modified: 12 Apr 2022 16:07
Item ID: 926
URI: https://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/id/eprint/926

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