The Use of 3D Documentation for Investigating Archaeological Artefacts

While 3D rendering of archaeological features in the field is becoming a standard documentary procedure, in the case of objects it remains less well-integrated as a functional resource, when compared to conventional illustration and photography. This paper examines the current state of the art for 3D data workflows, as used in the study of material culture in archaeology. In doing so, we touch upon the historical-technological background of this mode of documentation and observe its current level of impact on what we may consider normal ways of interacting with archaeological assemblages. We underline how current data-management and production issues diminish potential interoperability across 3D model-making platforms and lead to an escalation in data-storage consumption.