Laser Scanning as a Methodology for the Recording and Reconstruction of Archaeological Ships

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Digital Approaches in Nautical Archaeology", at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Researchers with the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation at Texas A&M University have utilized coordinate measuring machine-based 3D laser scanning to record and reconstruct four disarticulated wooden archaeological ships from Alexandria, VA between 2018 and 2022. This paper summarizes the laser scanning and data processing methodology developed for these projects, refinements to these methodologies that were successfully implemented, as well as the process for the digital reconstruction of the hulls in Rhinoceros 6. Along with the digital models that were created, the timbers were also 3D printed and reassembled to create a 1:12 scale physical model of each ship, the methodology of which will also be discussed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Digital Approaches in Nautical Archaeology   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2023

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow