ANU Classics Museum

Letting the world enjoy these amazing 2,000 year old ancient Greek and Roman artefacts.

3D scanning and interactive touchscreen exhibition solo-developed by Ricky Vuckovic.

View the models in your browser at: https://sketchfab.com/rickyvuckovic 

Ricky’s story

I had the opportunity to 3D scan eight incredible ancient Greek and Roman artifacts from the ANU Classics Museum. Some of these date back to 4th century BC, and are beautifully preserved in the Museum.

As a result of my 3D scans, these artefacts are available to the world to enjoy up close.

My 3D scanning technique was “photogrammetry”, which involves taking hundreds of photos at various angles and processing them into 3D data. This technique means that I get highly detailed colour and texture reproduction, and it doesn’t involve expensive equipment. Best of all, this technique requires very little physical handling of the artefacts.

I spent a day in June 2015 taking hundreds of photos of each artefact, and then days of processing and cleaning up in order to make them available online.

In October 2015, the ANU Centre for Classical studies was launched, and I created an interactive multi-touch screen installation for the event that allowed visitors to rotate, zoom, and explore the scanned artefacts on a large touchscreen.

The installation attracted considerable interest from archaeology students, museum staff, and visitors, including incoming ANU Vice Chancellor and Nobel Prize laureate, Brian Schmidt.

Something quite amazing about the scans

3D scanning captures intricate surface details that can then be enlarged and explored on large displays such as the touchscreen installation I created.

One example in the collection is a terracotta statue scan that reveals the tiny crack in the right hand of the figure.

Another is a 2,000 year old plate where the 3D scan reveals the fingerprints left behind by the original artist!