EAA 2020 Virtual: Uncovering invisible : Visual enhancement of toolmarks preserved on the Roman tiles
Abstract
3D technologies usually serve as a documentation method which allows to copy artefacts or whole archaeological situations and even sites in digital form. However, the preservation of archaeological data is not and should not be the only purpose. 3D technol-ogies also present a tool for analysing the data, discovering and retrieving new information, information which could be previously invisible to the archaeologist.
This contribution focuses on the technological development of Roman military tile manufacture in ancient Vindobona. The aim of the research was to distinguish various production techniques and statistically evaluate them.
Photogrammetry along with Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) were chosen as the main research methods. The solid mesh of the 3D model enables examination of finds without disruptive elements such as colour or calcareous sinter.
The simulation of various angle of lighting helps to enhance and to identify the cuts and other traces, left by the work tools or moulds. However, the quality of results is determined by the quality of detail of the 3D model.
High quality 3D model requires substantial computing power and is also more time consuming. For the examination of a plane surface, RTI turned out to be more suitable.
It provides more detailed visual enhancement and needs less computing power. Disadvantage of the method lays in the specific conditions required during the documentation.With help of the both methods it was possible to successfully identify the various production techniques and connect them with unit which produced the material.
It was also possible to document the development of certain techniques and their transfer be-tween the different production centres.