Cuneiform Tablets Micro-Surveying in an Optimized Photogrammetric Configuration

Abstract

In the current panorama of 3D digital documentation, the survey of tiny artifacts with micrometric details is strongly influenced by two factors: firstly, the still high cost of the instruments and technologies (active sensors) required to achieve the necessary level of accuracy and resolution; secondly, the needed professional skills for the macro-photogrammetric approach. In this context, this research aims to meet the demand for a digital survey and 3D representation of small objects with complex surfaces and sub-millimeter morphological characteristics using a low-cost configuration (passive sensors) for an image-based approach. The experiments concerned cuneiform tablets, which are challenging due to their morphological and geometrical characteristics. The digital replica of these unique artefacts can be helpful for their study and interpretation and many innovative applications: access and sharing, a collaborative interdisciplinary study among several experts, experimentation with machine learning for automatic character recognition, and linguistic studies. The micrometric surveying system described proves to be an efficient and reliable solution for cuneiform tablet digitization and documentation.

Close-range photogrammetry reveals morphometric changes on replicative ground stones

“…directional lighting may be the reason for recurrent errors when orienting images of two sets taken after flipping over the stone on the turntable (Fig 2 ), as highlighted in previous study [40].…”

“…These features in well textured objects are: i) numerous and ii) discriminative (i.e., each point can be uniquely distinguished from another) making them ideal for a reliable photogrammetric process. The dependency of the local texture on the shades cast by directional lighting may be the reason for recurrent errors when orienting images of two sets taken after flipping over the stone on the turntable ( Fig 2 ), as highlighted in previous study [ 40 ].…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that acquiring an object positioned vertically, with its main faces fully visible, along with the narrow lateral conjunction sides, enhances the overlap between sets of pictures and improves light-shadow stability. The improved overlap enhances the accuracy of the image orientation [ 9 , 24 , 34 , 40 ] and reduces the likelihood of gaps or multiple overlapping points in the resulting point-cloud. This phenomenon occurs particularly at the narrow edges of the object, where the conjunction of the two faces’ point-clouds occurs.…”

Moving beyond the Content: 3D Scanning and Post-Processing Analysis of the Cuneiform Tablets of the Turin Collection

“…The CDLI team, in collaboration with the Max Plank Institute, has begun scanning cuneiform tablets with a smart scanner produced by Breuckmann [3,4]. Museums around the world are tackling the digitalization of cuneiform tablets using different techniques and instruments [5][6][7]. For example, a team at the Vorderasiatisches Museum that is working together with researchers from the University of Münster has started scanning the large collection of cuneiform tablets from Babylon, which is preserved in Berlin.…”

Structured-Light Scanning and Metrological Analysis for Archaeology: Quality Assessment of Artec 3D Solutions for Cuneiform Tablets

“…When possible, the metric comparison and the flexible integration of different techniques should be key points for achieving better results on specific analyses through virtual digitization [17].…”