PR96804

HANGZHOU, China, June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

A treasure trove at the high-profile Sanxingdui archaeological site in Sichuan

Province, China, has been unveiled to the public with a total of nearly 13,000

numbered relics unearthed, including 3,155 relatively intact relics in the

newly discovered six sacrificial pits. Scantech's high-precision 3D laser

scanners has been used for recording and restoring ancient artifacts unearthed.

Repair of an Bronze Sacred Tree

The object to be repaired is the bronze sacred tree No.3, one of eight

magnificent trees unearthed from sacrificial pit No.2 of Sanxingdui in 1986.

There is no definite conclusion about the function of the tree. Some think

ancestors of the ancient kingdom of Shu used these sacred trees to communicate

with heaven and earth and show their reverence and awe for their ancestors and

gods.

Challenge of Replicating Artifacts in Broken State

Unlike the relatively intact and delicate artifacts displayed in a museum,

relics excavated in these sacrificial pits were broken and crushed. Evidence

suggests that the objects were shattered and thrown into pits after being used

for ceremonial rites.

Workflow of Reconstruction

Before conducting any restoration for the scared tree No.3, the archaeological

researchers decided to assemble these pieces to see what it looked like

virtually. The decision was to to ensure that there is no damage caused to the

object before actual restoration and to accelerate the repair process.

The first step was to collect data. Traditionally, experts use conventional

measurement methods and photography to record data, which takes a long time.

The data captured are usually not complete and limited for use.

This time, for the Sacred Tree No.3, archaeologists used 3D scanning to capture

the tree's data. They used our handheld laser 3D

scanner(https://www.3d-scantech.com/3d-scanners/)to capture the data of 69

branches of the tree one by one. Thanks to its ultra-high scanning rate,

Scantech's metrology 3D laser scanner assisted researchers in accurately

obtaining complete 3D data of relic fragments in a short amount of time.

A model is then generated in 3D software to reconstruct 1:1-sized branches.

The archaeology and restoration of cultural relics at the Sanxingdui Site are

still in full swing. We believe new technologies will play a vital role in

reviving more cultural treasures.

For more cases, please read:

Scantech Helps 3D Scan 8-meter and 190-million-year-old Dinosaur

Fossils(https://www.3d-scantech.com/scantech-helps-3d-scan-an-8-meter-and-190-mi

llion-year-old-dinosaur-fossils/)

Application of 3D scanning in Architecture

Digitization(https://www.3d-scantech.com/application-of-3d-scanning-in-architect

ure-digitization/)

SOURCE: SCANTECH