What I need is not what I get: Using and reusing 3D models of archaeological artefacts for research and conservation

In archaeological and material cultural heritage research practice little attention seems to have been given to the digital research data lifecycle and, although often mentioned, to making research data actually FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable; Wilkinson et al., 2016). In this presentation, I will showcase an investigation on Greek and Cypriot pottery, 10th-4th c. BCE, from various European collections, and with a strong emphasis on 3D digital resources. The aims are manifold, namely, to understand the chronological and geographical variability of their production, manufacture, and use—e.g., shape classification and patterns, capacity standards, use-wear and network analysis. As well as to enable conservation studies and monitoring. However, despite the large amount of 3D models of archaeological artefacts available online, I will explain why what I need to proceed with this investigation is not what I get. This presentation tackles issues related to digital archives and repositories, quality and trust of 3D digital resources, contextual and useful metadata for research (including technical metadata, aka paradata), and data incompleteness—although a resource cannot be fully described, it can be better described.


The Material Digital Humanities seminar is co-hosted by the Digital Humanities Research Hub, University of London, UK, and Star-UBB Institute of Advanced Studies, University Babeș-Bolyai, Cluj Napoca, Romania.