The UCL’s Petrie Museum is developing an innovative 3D imaging programme that will transform museum practice and enrich visitor experiences.
3. The Digital Museum
Introduction
Tonya Nelson
Manager of the UCL Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
Sally MacDonald
Director of UCL Museums and Public Engagement
UCL's Museums and Public Engagement Department includes three public museums that endeavour to use their spaces as test-beds for research and innovation. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology has worked with the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering to explore different ways in which 3D imaging technologies used in the medical, manufacturing and architectural fields can be adapted for use in the heritage sector. In partnership with the Arius3D Inc., commercial manufacturer of 3D laser scanning technology, UCL has produced many of the high-quality, colour 3D digital replicas of artefacts seen in the '3D Encounters: Where Science Meets Heritage' exhibition. Research has also allowed the Petrie Museum to develop innovative end-user applications that make collections more accessible and engaging.
The 3D imaging expertise at UCL has been called on by museums across the country looking to engage visitors through digital technology. The Petrie Museum is currently the only museum to have an end-to-end, in-house 3D imaging programme with the capacity for image capture, digital modelling, and application design and development. The Petrie Museum 3D imaging team is an interdisciplinary group of curators, conservators, software engineers and digital project managers. As 3D technology become a ubiquitous aspect of popular culture, heritage sector organisations will need to capitalise on the technology by hiring and developing staff who are comfortable working in both the physical and digital worlds.
More information
- Tonya Nelson in Cultural leadership case studies of the British Council: Going viral: Museums and 3D. In a two part feature, Tonya Nelson defines and expands on the the idea of ‘viral capacity building’ – the acquisition of knowledge and expertise through person-to-person transfer - in light of the use of 3D technologies in museums and galleries. (Read Part 1 and Part 2).
- Book Chapter: Macdonald, S., & Nelson, T. (2012). A Space for Innovation and Experimentation: University Museums as Test Beds for New Digital Technologies. In S. S. Jandl, M. S. Gold (Eds.), A Handbook for Academic Museums: Beyond Exhibitions and Education. British Council Creative and Cultural Economy. [complete to embed full text in this IRIS publication > to chase do Mona)
- Macdonald, S., Hess, M., Robson, S., & Were, G. (2012). 3D Recording and Museums. In C. Warwick, Terras, Nyhan (Eds.), Digital Humanities in Practice (pp. 91-115). London, UK: Facet.
- Qrator
- 3D Petrie : 3D imaging research, digital applications and use of new technologies
- Geomatic Engineering/ Photogrammetry , 3D imaging and metrology research group
3D highlight
3D image of a Shabti from the UCL Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
Navigate with your mouse over the object to rotate (left mouse button) and zoom (right mouse button). This will not work on an iPad.