3d digitization techniques and archaeobotanical analysis of wooden artifacts recovered in waterlogged contexts

Abstract

The 3D scanning of wooden artifacts allows to obtain high resolution geometrical and radiometric information which is used to make quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis. The processed digital models can store geometrical information about texture and register the artifacts’ state of conservation. These data allow to create virtual collections which can then result in further studies of the artifacts at archaeometric level in a remote way.The objective of this work is to present the combination of 3D scanning techniques with the archaeobotanical analysis of wooden artifacts recovered in waterlogged contexts. With this purpose, we studied wooden artifacts recovered under the waters of Bracciano lake (Anguillara Sabazia, Italia). These artifacts belong to La Marmotta Neolithic site -5700 and 5300 cal BC-.We worked with two 3D scanning techniques: digital photometry and 3D laser scanning with the objective of presenting the scope and limitations of both techniques and their usefulness in the analysis of woody raw material. The analysis of 3D triangular meshes, with different software bring a new perspective to discuss methods and techniques applied to the study of wooden archaeological artifacts. The methodology of analysis developed in this work makes it possible to apply it to the study of different woody materials regardless of their chronology and recovery site.