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Preserving the Past
2 of 2
Preserving the past
Previously, we brought you news that Maaike Roozenburg was recreating the past using 3D Prints of antique porcelain, now Michael Groenendyk is going about preserving the ancient past.
Groenendyk’s, on behalf of the Dalhousie University Library, is aiming to create a 3D repository for scans of the university’s most interesting artefacts.
Using a NextEngine 3D scanner Groenendyk and his team will set about archiving the universities most precious items including: archaeological treasures, rare biological specimens, relics from the Halifax explosion and the Titanic.
The aim of the archiving and repository process is to make facsimile 3D models accessible for all students to study up close and magnified as they wish. The first items to be scanned are from the university’s marine biology collection and Groenendyk told unews.ca “It’s about opening up that whole history to a wider audience, making it more accessible, you won’t need to be within Halifax to come see this marine biology collection. You just need Internet access.”
The remarkable detail of the scans means it is possible for scientists and researchers around the world to examine the items without having to transport these extremely fragile and valuable relics. If needs be a precise replica of the models can be 3D printed and further manipulated.
Previously Groenendyk’s time had been taken up with installing a Makerbot Replicator at one of the university’s libraries but his latest project is one he feels of greater importance. “You don’t know, a thousand years from now, how many of these objects will still be around. These digital files might stand the test of time.”
