Abstract
Replica artefacts are a well-established feature of Roman archaeology, particularly as used in experimental archaeology, by re-enactors, and in museum education. 3D scanning offers a new methodology for the accurate production of such artefacts, which can then be used both in scholarly research and in public engagement activities. This article describes methodologies for 3D scanning and 3D printing, together with appropriate craft techniques, in the creation of replica musical instruments from the collection of UCL's Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London. While there were some challenges in replica creation, discussed in further detail, 'functional replicas' were successfully made, that, we argue, replicate sufficiently accurately those features of the objects under investigation from a research perspective. These were the decibel levels (sound power levels), and, for some objects, frequency (pitch) ranges produced, and the variety of sounds that they could produce. This evidence makes an important contribution to our understanding of the contexts of use of the original instruments. Sound recordings virtually modelled in a likely use location, the courtyard of a typical house from Roman-period Egypt, were also produced and assist in our conceptualisation of the wider acoustic environment. Sound recordings and replicas were additionally used for public engagement purposes in a temporary exhibition at the Petrie Museum, and their contribution to museum education is assessed. 3D scanning and printing technology are demonstrated to be valuable techniques for the production of accurate replicas, which can be used successfully to contribute to scholarly research and museum education in new ways. Appendices include .stl files that may be downloaded and 3D printed, to make copies of the replicas for use in new research and education projects.
Highlights
The Petrie Museum collection contains c. 60 musical instruments, or parts of them, from the Roman and Late Antique periods
While there were some challenges in replica creation, discussed in further detail, 'functional replicas' were successfully made, that, we argue, replicate sufficiently accurately those features of the objects under investigation from a research perspective
Sound recordings and replicas were used for public engagement purposes in a temporary exhibition at the Petrie Museum, and their contribution to museum education is assessed. 3D scanning and printing technology are demonstrated to be valuable techniques for the production of accurate replicas, which can be used successfully to contribute to scholarly research and museum education in new ways
Summary
The Petrie Museum collection contains c. 60 musical instruments, or parts of them, from the Roman and Late Antique periods. Affordances of sound-making objects crucially include their capacity to produce sound of a particular loudness (decibel level) and pitch (frequency) and it was felt that investigating these features of musical instruments in the Petrie collection, by creating replica artefacts, would be useful in evaluating their social uses and significance in society in Roman and Late Antique Egypt. This constitutes the principal aim of the replica creation project. Further information about the originals can be accessed by searching for the relevant museum accession number, beginning 'UC..' on the UCL Petrie Collection Online Catalogue
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