Fanet GÖTTLICH
(ZEDIKUM – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany)

Keywords: pottery fragments 3D-documentation structure-from-motion low-cost

Abstract:
As part of a ceramics study of Iron Age amphorae from the site of Tell el-Burak (southern Lebanon), it will be tested how three-dimensional recordings of the ceramic fragments can be included in their documentation and analysis. This pilot project aims at increasing the available data and therefore to improve the analytical procedures by adding 3D data. These data are objectively recorded, can be used non-invasively, can be shared worldwide and build a basis for reconstructions. The calculated 3D model represents the entire sherd and finally the original find must remain in the country of origin.
For foreign campaigns an uncomplicated, effective and cost-effective solution is important. Thus, only a (semi-) serial and therefore fast and, above all, economic method meets the demands of documentation procedures abroad.
During the campaign 2018, a trial setup was tested and several studies were conducted on the best recording technique. Subsequently, the parameters for the most successful processing path were tested and determined.
The objective was initially based on the results of conventional ceramic documentation. The use of a high-precision white-light-scanner had to be ruled out for financial as well as organizational reasons. Thereby, the method structure from motion was chosen for the three-dimensional documentation. For maximum resolution and accuracy, many parameters of the method have been evaluated and adapted. In addition, the setup of the measuring station was optimized in several areas for this particular object category.
Common Software was used for processing the data. Again, the processing workflow has been adapted for effective use as well as the acquisition workflow.
This project is made possible by the cooperation of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Dr. Aaron Schmitt) and the center for digital cultural heritage in museums (ZEDIKUM) – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

Relevance for the conference: archaeological finds are 3D recorded quickly, objectively and serial, can be used non-invasively and shared worldwide
Relevance for the session: the digitization is done by an image-based method (prepared SfM) and the manifold results, which are primarily used for documentation, can also be extended as desired for 3D applications
Innovation: low-cost, serial acquisition method with coherent workflow to a scaled, documentary image with additional benefits in 3D
References:
• Kampel M., Sablatnig R. (2006) 3D Data Retrieval of Archaeological Pottery. In: Zha H., Pan Z., Thwaites H., Addison A.C., Forte M. (eds) Interactive Technologies and Sociotechnical Systems. VSMM 2006. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4270. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg;
• Barreau, Jean-Baptiste & Nicolas, Théophane & Bruniaux, Guillaume & Petit, Emilien & Petit, Quentin & Bernard, Yann & Gaugne, Ronan & Gouranton, Valérie. (2014). Ceramics Fragments Digitization by Photogrammetry, Reconstructions and Applications. International Conference on Culturage Heritage.