Digital imaging technologies can aid archaeologists, art historians, and museums

Since 1996, FLAAR has been helping museums learn about advanced digital imaging technology, and how this digital hardware and software can assist the study of anthropology and archaeology.

But decades ago FLAAR and Nicholas Hellmuth engaged in typical Mayan archaeological fieldwork: out in remote locations in ancient ruins. In the process Dr Hellmuth has been kidnapped, captured by Communist terrorists, held at gunpoint, and survived an earthquake that killed 28,000 people in precisely the same area where he was situated.

As far back as 1965, Hellmuth had discovered the fabulous tomb of a Maya king. By the 1970’s he had mapped ancient cities, and is most proud of having been responsible for creating the National Park at Yaxha and Sacnab, two adjacent lakes in a remote area of the Peten department of Guatemala. He survived in this rain forest area for five seasons. In the recent TV “Survivor” they barely survived a few weeks in the same area even with a million-dollar Hollywood support system assisting them behind the scenes.

But for the last decade Professor Hellmuth has devoted his energies to learning about advances in digital imaging technology and understanding how this can be applied to assist anthropologists and archaeologists, both in Latin America and elsewhere in the world. Dr Hellmuth was the prime consultant and instructor for the Malta Centre for Restoration, University of Malta, to aid them in learning digital imaging techniques to help in preserving their national artistic patrimony in the Mediterranean area.

For 2007-2008 onward, FLAAR will devote its energies and staff to adding evaluations of 3D printing technologies. Yes, you can use a normal Hewlett-Packard printhead and “print” a 6-inch high 3-dimensional model of a Mayan pyramid.

Home page for 3D rapid prototyping as a crucial digital technology for archaeological field research and museum exhibits

This 3D printer is from Z Corporation, and is the kind of basic entry-level model that you would expect at a university. Today Z Corp offers more sophisticated models that “print” in several colors, such as the Z Corp ZPrinter 450 and Spectrum Z510 System.

Objet Geometries , Stratasys, Solidscape and other companies such as 3D Systems offer slightly different technologies or build the models in more robust materials. Our present goal is to ascertain which manufacturer and which technology would be best for museums and universities that want to utilize state-of-the-art digital visualization equipment.

We are starting with 3D printing, one of many diverse forms of 3-D rapid prototyping. Other technologies include stereolithography, selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM) and others.

Z Corporation samples

Adding 3D Rapid Prototypers to the list of digital technology that can aid archaeologists and museums

The Mayan pyramid you see here was created by a high school student. So surely all archaeologists and museum personnel should be able to master this technology. In addition to doing prototypes (mainly for tools and manufacturing), 3D printers can also create innovative works of art.

Evaluating CO2 laser engravers for photographs and designing museum exhibits

FLAAR is also working with learning how CO/2 laser engravers can assist archaeological research.

Bowling Green State University has an entry level Universal Laser Systems CO/2 laser engraver cutter in the Center for Applied Technology. This is precisely the building where FLAAR has been headquartered for several years now.

Since this particular system is entry-level, FLAAR felt that a slightly larger and more powerful laser engraver would be the kind that would be most helpful for museums. So Trotec will be provided such a laser engraver last summer. Unfortunately, since this was a used machine, it arrived damaged from too much jostling from transportation and too much being at so many trade shows. We had a comparable issue with a Sinar 4x5 camera. The Sinar is among the best studio cameras in the world, but they loaned one for evaluation that had been on so many previous demo trips that it was literally worn out; the cogs on its movements were worn down to stubs. It did not make a good impression in the evaluation.

Cambo then provided a 4x5 Cambo Ultima camera for evaluation. It was brand new. Naturally its condition resulted in the results of the evaluation being more favorable: it definitely did not fall apart. Indeed seven years later we still have this Cambo 4x5 and still recommend it.

Most recently updated May 28, 2007
First posted May 1, 2006. Previously updated Oct. 25, 2006.