Scanning at the Artifact Roadshow: 3D Imaging as an Outreach Tool in Community Archaeology

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Capturing and Sharing Vermont’s Past: 3D Imaging as a Tool for Undergraduate Research and Community Engagement" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Community outreach has played a major role in the Castleton Hidden History Project, which highlights a diverse and inclusive history of the Castleton, VT area from the end of the Ice Age through the present day. Since 2023, a significant part of outreach programming has consisted of “Artifact Roadshows,” and 3D imaging is a central tool in these efforts. Hosted in Castleton and surrounding towns, community members of all ages are invited to bring artifacts found around their homes to the roadshow. Archaeology professors and students provide information about each item and document it in various ways, including 3D scanning. This work has multiple benefits: digital models are entered into the "Hidden History" online database, expanding our knowledge of local prehistory and history of the Castleton area. Taking 3D technology outside of the purview of museums and academic institutions, completed models are also shared with objects’ owners to provide a resource should the original become lost or broken. This mutual sharing of information builds community linkages and facilitates a deeper understanding of the Castleton area.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Capturing and Sharing Vermont’s Past: 3D Imaging as a Tool for Undergraduate Research and Community Engagement   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39688.0