Microtomographic analysis of a Palaeolithic wooden point from the Ljubljanica River

Guček Puhar, Enej (author), Korat, Lidija (author), Erič, Miran (author), Jaklič, Aleš (author), Solina, Franc (author)

A rare and valuable Palaeolithic wooden point, presumably belonging to a hunting weapon, was found in the Ljubljanica River in Slovenia in 2008. In order to prevent complete decay, the waterlogged wooden artefact had to undergo conservation treatment, which usually involves some expected deformations of structure and shape. To investigate these changes, a series of surface-based 3D models of the artefact were created before, during and after the conservation process. Unfortunately, the surface-based 3D models were not sufficient to understand the internal processes inside the wooden artefact (cracks, cavities, fractures). Since some of the surface-based 3D models were taken with a microtomographic scanner, we decided to create a volumetric 3D model from the available 2D tomographic images. In order to have complete control and greater flexibility in creating the volumetric 3D model than is the case with commercial software, we decided to implement our own algorithm. In fact, two algorithms were implemented for the construction of surface-based 3D models and for the construction of volumetric 3D models, using (1) unsegmented 2D images CT and (2) segmented 2D images CT. The results were positive in comparison with commercial software and new information was obtained about the actual state and causes of the deformation of the artefact. Such models could be a valuable aid in the selection of appropriate conservation and restoration methods and techniques in cultural heritage research.

• Language: English
• Keywords: computer vision, computed tomography, 3D surface-based models, 3D volumetric models, Palaeolithic wooden point, conservation, waterlogged wood, archaeological documentation, heritage science
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FRI - Faculty of Computer and Information Science
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 41 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 22, iss. 6, art. 2369
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-137519
• UDC: 004.93:902
• ISSN on article: 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s22062369
• COBISS.SI-ID: 102395651
• Publication date in RUL: 20.06.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Sensors
• Shortened title: Sensors
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1424-8220
• COBISS.SI-ID: 10176278

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 18.03.2022

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: računalniški vid, računska tomografija, površinski 3D modeli, volumetrični 3D modeli, paleolitska lesena konica, konzerviranje, moker les, arheološka dokumentacija, dediščinska znanost

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P2-0273
• Name: Gradbeni objekti in materiali