Science, Heritage, and Archaeology Digital 3D Labratory

考古学是破坏性的--从挖掘，到物品搬运，到生物分子分析(aDNA、脂肪分析、放射性碳测年和同位素数据)的采样。正因为如此，“记录保存”已成为这门学科的核心精神。然而，考古学家在接受数字人文知识方面进展缓慢，大多数记录仍然基于数字数据库或2-D照片，例如便携式文物数据库https://finds.org.uk科学、遗产和考古数字3D(Shard 3D)实验室将专注于通过3D记录保护生物文化遗产。然后，它将使用几何形态计量学等技术分析这些记录，以发展对生物和文化变化的新理解。通过大量的机构投资，埃克塞特逐步建立了其在3D建模、显微镜，特别是几何形态分析方面的专业知识。然而，自2018年以来，研究需求开始超过可用空间和设备。迫切需要巩固、加强和维持我们的研究能力，这些能力正在积极整合考古科学、数字遗产和其他以遗产为基础的研究。Shard 3D项目包括三个战略领域的升级，以加强我们的设施：1)3D扫描通过将我们的3D扫描设备升级到更新的系统，我们将扩大可以扫描的物体的大小范围，提供从非常小的物体到超过16万立方米的大型纪念性特征的全方位扫描，例如岩石艺术品，以及挖掘壕沟和犯罪现场。这些扫描仪具有实地研究的便携式功能，将协助记录、保存和传播各种遗产数据集，从美洲的土著岩石艺术到为可移植文物计划创建小发现的3D数据库。2)MicroCT扫描仪增加一台MicroCT扫描仪将能够对考古和法医骨骼以及材料文化文物的外部和内部特征进行3D无损成像。在英国，很少有设施适合文化遗产收藏所需的物品大小范围，或者是为考古材料研究而优化的设施。该设备将加快用于几何形态分析的3D数据的收集，并使Shard 3D能够提供面向遗产的新MicroCT设施，这是西南地区的第一个，我们预计这将导致与英国和国际合作伙伴进行令人兴奋的新合作。3)共焦显微镜的获得将有助于实验考古学课程和研究，包括支持一个已经资助的关于人类牙齿微磨损的博士项目。这将涵盖物质文化研究的一系列方面，包括石材的大体形态和微磨损研究、有机印记、实验考古学和古代技术实验。与便携式文物计划(PAS)合作，这些设施将改善藏品数字化，并将代表着PAS 160万件文化遗产发现价值的重要一步改变。与法医病理学家和商业考古单位的合作也提供了通过货币化资产潜在地支持收入的机会。

Archaeology is destructive - from excavation, through object handling, to sampling for biomolecular analyses (aDNA, lipid analysis, radiocarbon dates and isotope data). For this reason, 'preservation by record' has become a central ethos of the discipline. Yet, archaeologists have been slow to embrace digital humanities and most records continue to be based on numerical databases or 2-D photographs, exemplified by the Portable Antiquities Database https://finds.org.uk The Science, Heritage and Archaeology Digital 3D (SHArD 3D) Laboratory will focus on preserving bio-cultural heritage by 3D record. It will then analyse these records, using techniques such Geometric Morphometrics, to develop new understandings of biological and cultural change. With considerable institutional investment, Exeter has been gradually building its expertise in 3D modelling, microscopy and in particular Geometric Morphometric Analysis. However, since 2018, research demand has begun to outstrip both the available space and equipment. There is an urgent need to consolidate, strengthen and sustain our research capabilities which are actively integrating archaeological science, digital heritage and other strands of heritage-based research. The SHArD 3D project comprises upgrades in three strategic areas to enhance our facilities: 1) 3D Scanning By upgrading our 3D scanning equipment to newer systems, we will expand the size range of objects that can be scanned, providing the full spectrum from very small objects to large monumental features in excess of 160,000cm3, such as rock art, as well as excavation trenches, and crime scenes. With portable capability for in-the-field research, these scanners will assist in the recording, preservation and dissemination of heritage dataset of everything from indigenous rock art in the Americas to the creation of a 3D database of small finds for the Portable Antiquities Scheme. 2) microCT scannerThe addition of a microCT scanner will enable 3D non-destructive imaging of both external and internal features of archaeological and forensic bone, and material culture artefacts. There are few facilities in the UK which are suitable for the size range of objects required for cultural heritage collections, or which are optimised for archaeological materials research. This equipment would expedite the collection of 3D data for geometric morphometric analysis, and allow SHArD 3D to provide a new heritage facing microCT facility, the first in the Southwest, that we envisage will lead to exciting new collaborations with partners in the UK and internationally. 3) Confocal microscope Acquisition of confocal microscope will contribute to experimental archaeology coursework and research including supporting an already-funded PhD project on human dental microwear. This will cover a range of aspects of material culture research including gross morphology and microwear studies on lithics, organic impressions, experimental archaeology, and ancient technology experimentation. In partnership with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), these facilities will improve collections digitisation, and will represent an important step-change in the value of the PAS's 1.6 million cultural heritage finds. Partnership with forensic pathologists and commercial archaeology units also provides an opportunity to potentially support income through monetised assets.