Recasting a Viking warrior woman from Ribe: 3D digital image reconstruction compared

Abstract

We use 3D digital image reconstruction to recreate a unique anthropomorphic pendant from a group of casting mould fragments found in a workshop at the Viking-age emporium Ribe, Denmark. The image showing a figure in female dress and carrying weapons links a production site to ‘valkyrie’ pendants found in England, Denmark and southern Sweden.We compare three different set-ups for 3D recording and their results in terms of model quality, amount of data and cost-effectiveness, based on methodologies now widely accessible for documenting cultural heritage: photogrammetry, structured light scanning and blue LED laser scanning. We identify parameters and procedures for a viable application to the digital reconstruction of casting mould fragments and demonstrate how digital image reconstruction of small artefacts provides essential tools for archaeological analysis of workshop relations, craft technologies, and iconographic innovation.