Reflectance Transformation Imaging Systems for Ancient Documentary Artefacts

该项目将建立两个反射变换成像(RTI)系统，用于记录、分析和传播古代文字文物和考古材料。RTI使用通过数码相机和高速视频捕获的图像来生成表面的详细模型。然后，这些可以以类似于与物理对象交互的方式来可视化。不同类型的处理可以突出细节。该项目将设计包含该领域所有当前最佳实践的系统。它们将在一系列古代书面材料和其他考古材料上进行试点，以便制定适合在文化遗产部门推广的系统和工作流程。该项目还将制作免费提供的系统蓝图和规范、自由软件和教程材料，使专家和感兴趣的公众能够迅速采用这项技术。这项技术具有巨大的工业、商业和公共潜力。在古代文献研究领域，RTI系统将通过捕获经常分散和难以获取的重要藏品来刺激新的研究。这些对象通常很难阅读，RTI将帮助解释它们。此外，将不同收藏的相关文件组合在一起并将它们与文本数据联系起来的能力将对研究产生直接影响。虚拟访问将限制与这些经常脆弱的无价物品进行物理互动的需要。在更广泛的考古学领域，RTI能够对表面纹理特别重要的物品进行详细分析，例如记录罗马砖印、测量精致纺织品或壁画的劣化程度，以及分析石块或骨头。该系统将嵌入两个已建立的社区。首先，牛津古代文献研究中心。CSAD已经在广泛的古代文本和手工艺品研究领域证明了它的价值。CSAD对各种墨迹书写、刻字和刻字文本的研究重点是解决数字成像和信号处理的技术问题。这些措施的有效性已在一些已发表的研究中得到证明，但要将其转变为灵活的工具，仍需开展工作。RTI系统将直接借鉴CSAD的经验，提供跨数据集和学科的灵活性。第二个社区是南安普顿大学的考古计算研究小组。二十年来，该组织一直站在考古计算教学和研究的前沿，与学术、商业、公共和第三部门有着密切的联系。ACRG的一个特别优势是从考古材料中捕获和分析数字数据集。这包括开发和集成RTI、激光扫描和数字摄影测量的工作。项目成员最近提交了一份关于RTI在保护、表面分析、可视化、公共传播和档案等领域的考古应用的主要研究报告，供出版。ACRG得益于与南安普顿电子与计算机科学学院的紧密联系。他们的参与带来了文化遗产材料成像方法的悠久历史，重点放在艺术上，以及该项目必要的尖端电子研究核心。惠普实验室的Tom Malzbender作为顾问的参与进一步支持了这些团队的成功，确保了这两个系统在这一领域的研究和价值方面处于并保持在前沿。所制作的系统将纳入现有的CSAD数字框架，旨在改善对所研究数据的获取和分析。与考古数据处的伙伴关系同样将保障所产生的考古数据的未来。

This project will establish two Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) systems for use in the recording, analysis and dissemination of ancient written artefacts and archaeological material. RTI uses images captured via digital cameras and high speed video to produce detailed models of surfaces. These can then be visualised in a way similar to interaction with the physical object. Different kinds of processing enable details to be highlighted.The project will design systems incorporating all current best practice in the field. They will be piloted on a range of ancient written materials and on other archaeological materials, in order to develop systems and workflows suitable for rolling out across the cultural heritage sector. The project will also produce freely available blueprints and specifications for the systems, free software, and tutorial materials that will enable rapid takeup of the technology by experts and the interested public. The technology has significant industrial, commercial and public potential.In the field of ancient document studies, the RTI systems will stimulate new research by enabling the capture of important collections that are often dispersed and difficult to access. These objects are often very hard to read and RTI will help with their interpretation. In addition, the ability to combine related documents from different collections and to link them to textual data will have a direct impact on research. Virtual access will limit the need for physical interaction with these frequently fragile, priceless objects.In the broader field of archaeology RTI enables the detailed analysis of objects where surface texture is of particular importance, such as recording Roman brick stamps, measuring the deterioration of delicate textiles or wall paintings, and analysing lithics or bones.The systems will be embedded in two established communities. First, the Oxford Centre for the Study of Ancient Documents. CSAD has proven its value across the broad field of ancient texts and written artefact studies. The focus of the CSAD's research on a wide range of ink-written, incised and inscribed texts addresses technical problems of digital imaging and signal-processing. The effectiveness of these has been demonstrated in a number of published studies, but work remains to be done on turning them into flexible instruments. The RTI systems will provide this flexibility across datasets and disciplines, drawing directly from CSAD's experience.The second community is the Archaeological Computing Research Group at the University of Southampton. This group has for twenty years been at the forefront of archaeological computing teaching and research, with strong links across the academic, commercial, public and third sectors. One particular strength of the ACRG is in the capture and analysis of digital datasets from archaeological materials. This includes work developing and integrating RTI, laser scanning, and digital photogrammetry. The project members have recently submitted for publication a major study of archaeological applications of RTI in areas such as conservation, surface analysis, visualisation, public dissemination and archiving. The ACRG benefits from strong links with the School of Electronics and Computer Science at Southampton. Their involvement brings a long history in imaging approaches to cultural heritage materials, with a focus on art, and in the necessary cutting-edge electronic research core to this project. The success of these teams is further supported by the involvement of Tom Malzbender from Hewlett Packard Labs as an advisor, ensuring that the two systems are and remain at the forefront of research and value in this area. The systems produced will be integrated into existing CSAD digital frameworks designed to improve access and analysis of the data studied. Partnership with the Archaeology Data Service will similarly safeguard the future of the archaeological data produced.