Digitizing 200 Fossils, A New Way To Preserve Artifacts

November 1, 2020
fossil

A faster, more precise and safer method

3D laser scanning has been one of the most useful creations we have invented as humans. It is now helping us analyze the past and preserve it. Typically, our researchers and museums would take ancient artifacts and create replicas by hand. This was a long and tedious process that sometimes led to damaged artifacts and historical objects. The replicas could only be held at the museum that had taken the moulds, or it could be shipped across the world, all in physical form.

There is now a new way to do things, and it has many benefits. 3D laser scanning has been slow to pick up in the historical society and slower in the museums. Many research teams were hesitant about adopting this technology to preserve the past. One place that is not a museum but a school has decided to adopt this technology and use it for a magnificent project to preserve ancient fossils.

The Terrence Donnelly Health Science Complex at the University of Toronto Mississauga has adopted a 3D laser scanning device to digitally preserve fossils of hominid skulls. Ancient humans that once roamed the earth are now being scanned with the latest technology on the market. There are some obvious benefits to using 3D laser scanning.

The advantage of using 3D laser scanning

This technology offers some unique aspects that the previous way of replicating, preserving, and storing does not have. The older method of taking moulds of artifacts left a lot of damage and drained researchers who had to do these time-consuming tasks.

  • Faster- 3D laser scanning is faster than other ways of gathering information. It only takes a few minutes.
  • Precise- This technology can pick up every microscopic detail, making it perfect for observation.
  • Noninvasive- Since 3D laser scanning uses cameras and laser beams, it is completely noninvasive.
  • Accessible- The best thing about this technology is that it allows a way for information to be shared openly. All of the scanned data can be sent to anyone in the world who may not have the information. Then they can print their own copies of the scan.
  • Cloud Server- 3D laser scanning allows the information to be saved in the cloud and stored there forever. It makes it one of the best ways to use the information to compare and compare each scan.

3D laser scanning has clear advantages and can be useful to colleges, museums, and anyone conducting research. In this project, they will be scanning over 200 skeletons and can compare each together.

Final thoughts

3D laser scanning is one of the best ways to create open-source information and not have any secrets. It can allow museums around the world access to create different exhibits at a relatively low cost. It also helps preserve the original artifacts and keep them in their home where they belong. No one can hoard or keep anything from each other. Preserving our history has never been more important, and this incredible technology allows us to do that. 3D laser scanning is one of the best inventions in our world.