Creation of Functional Replica Roman and Late Antique Musical Instruments through 3D Scanning and Printing Technology, and their use in research and museum education
Replica artefacts are a well-established feature of Roman
archaeology, particularly as used in experimental archaeology, by
re-enactors, and in museum education. 3D scanning offers a new
methodology for the accurate production of such artefacts, which can
then be used both in scholarly research and in public engagement
activities. This article describes methodologies for 3D scanning and 3D
printing, together with appropriate craft techniques, in the creation of
replica musical instruments from the collection of UCL's Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London.
Replica of bell on bracelet (UC58536). Image credit: Lloyd Bosworth
While there were some challenges in replica creation, discussed in
further detail, 'functional replicas' were successfully made, that, we
argue, replicate sufficiently accurately those features of the objects
under investigation from a research perspective. These were the decibel
levels (sound power levels), and, for some objects, frequency (pitch)
ranges produced, and the variety of sounds that they could produce. This
evidence makes an important contribution to our understanding of the
contexts of use of the original instruments. Sound recordings
virtually modelled in a likely use location, the courtyard of a typical
house from Roman-period Egypt, were also produced and assist in our
conceptualisation of the wider acoustic environment. Sound recordings
and replicas were additionally used for public engagement purposes in a
temporary exhibition at the Petrie Museum, and their contribution to
museum education is assessed. 3D scanning and printing technology are
demonstrated to be valuable techniques for the production of accurate
replicas, which can be used successfully to contribute to scholarly
research and museum education in new ways. Appendices
include .stl files that may be downloaded and 3D printed, to make
copies of the replicas for use in new research and education projects.
No comments:
Post a Comment