Working with Computer Science 3-D images

Many thanks to those who came along to the launch of our various digital online services last Thursday. Most of these you will probably know about: our website, searchable database, Culture Grid connection. But new in the past week or so has been our work with student, Lewis Hancock of Computer Sciences Department at Swansea University. As part of his undergraduate degree, Lewis has been working 3-D images of some of our objects. Visitors will be able to borrow a tablet, go into the galleries and use the tablet to access 3-D images of some of the objects. This means they will get to see the back of things like our cippus. For those who can't visit the Centre there is a version now online, which will give you an idea of what we are trying to do. We are hoping to work further with Lewis on a journey through the Egyptian afterlife, so, watch this space!

Objects from all angles

Part of the problem with museum displays is that very often only one side of the object is visible.

Today we have an undergraduate Swansea University IT student in. Lewis Hancock (student) is shown here with Wendy Goodridge (assistant curator). They are photographing a selection of our objects from all angles. The photographs will then be accesible via smart phones in the galleries so that visitors will be able to see objects from all angles. For those who don't have smart phones we shall be loaning a device.

In order to do this, some of the objects, like the one shown here, need to be held in place. Wendy says that under the lights, it's like being in Egypt!

If you want to know more about this particular object you can find out here.

Real Objects versus Digital Information

OK, I have posted something similar in the past but have been giving more thought to this after attending the 'Geeks Night' at the Petrie Museum on the 3rd May. Additionally, Egypt Centre is planning a project with our Computer Department which will involve the Egypt Centre objects as well as digitisation. We want to make best use of both. As a museum curator I tend toward believing that things are superior to reproductions of them (I would wouldn't I). I personally feel that you get something extra from the 'real thing' and therefore right from its beginnings Egypt Centre has encouraged handling of real objects (picture left). I read this really interesting PhD thesis which can be downloaded from here : http://kentstate.academia.edu/KierstenFLatham/Papers/105266/Numinous_Experiences_with_Museum_Objects

Of course, digital information would be useful in providing information on an object which is difficult to provide either from encountering the object itself or through other media e.g. books or verbally. Not everyone is able to visit a museum to see the real thing and perhaps we can use the digital to encourage people to see the real things.

No conclusions here, just meandering thoughts. Anyone have ideas?