Advancing interpretation of USS Monitor through digital reconstruction

Author(s): Hannah E. Piner

Year: 2017

Summary

It can be difficult to interact with a large artifact actively undergoing conservation treatment and desalination. The artifact is almost constantly submerged in a treatment bath making it impossible or impractical for the archaeologist to study the particularities and imperfections of the object. This can postpone significant archaeological interpretation for years. By digitally reconstructing USS Monitor’s iconic gun turret, using photogrammetry and laser scanning, USS Monitor Center staff at The Mariners’ Museum hope to document surface and structural details of the object which will enable researchers to study the artifact’s construction, use, and wrecking before its treatment is completed. The resulting model will allow staff to showcase the artifact digitally and will directly impacting the interpretation of USS Monitor’s story to the public by strengthening the connection between the historical sources and archaeological finds.  

Cite this Record

Advancing interpretation of USS Monitor through digital reconstruction. Hannah E. Piner. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Fort Worth, TX. 2017 ( tDAR id: 435411)

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 321