For Foundational Skills, Deeper Digs, Knowledge Series, Rising Scholars, SALSA, and Career Pathways events, please register beforehand. To learn more about these different types of opportunities, see Continuing Education.
Exploring Applications of 3D Printing in Archaeology for Education, Public Outreach, and Museum Exhibits [Deeper Digs]
Three-dimensional (3-D) printing is increasingly infiltrating all aspects of society, from manufacturing and medicine to STEM education on K-12 levels. This seminar will explore the basics of 3-D printing and how archaeologists can integrate 3-D models and printed materials into all aspects of their discipline, from the field to the laboratory, and into the classroom and the museum. Particular attention will be paid to the following areas:
- How digital 3-D models enhance identification of artifacts and ecofacts in the field and laboratory over 2-D drawings or photographs
- How 3-D printed replicas expand opportunities for teaching and research at all levels of education, but especially for undergraduate teaching
- How 3-D printed replicas can be incorporated into public outreach programs, maximizing access to the past, while minimizing risks to fragile heritage
- How 3-D printed replicas can be integrated into museum exhibits to create a more interactive and tactile element
The 3-D printed past is not something from the far-off archaeological future but should be seen as very much a part of the archaeological present.