Using rock carvings to uncover the past
3D laser scanning has shaped our world in many ways. It has emerged in various fields because it has been developed into one of the useful tools of our century. This technology is no longer only used for scientists studying the human body, or designers creating new video games, but has entered many places.
What is 3D laser scanning
This technology was developed in the 1960s and was used to capture an object in real life and then create a 2D replica. Now it has been developed into an easy to use a handheld device that is easy to manipulate. Anyone in the world can have access to 3D laser scanning.
It takes thousands of pictures per second, gathering information on an object or scene. It collects information like scratches, indents, the sizes of the scratches, every dimension of the object, color, textures, and every detail in between.
This technology can now turn a 2D object into a 3D model. It can take a real object, collect information, send it across the world, and from there, be 3D printed. Or best of all, it can create virtual reality for someone across the globe. It is one of the most useful tools on the market because it has created an open way to share information easily.
3D laser scanning is noninvasive and some of the most precise measurement tools we could find on the market. This has made it a wealthy market to enter. Companies are creating more ways to update this technology to benefit our lives.
Who has now adopted this technology
Swedish scientists are now using 3D laser scanning devices for a project that has never been done before. These scientists are leading a team from the National Museum of Scotland and the University of the Highlands and Islands to obtain data on carved stones and runes.
They are focusing on two main sites, Cunningsburgh Shetland and Brough of Birsay Orkney. They are collecting information on the carvings in the rocks to trace how writing developed over time. Scientists and researchers are also noting any special techniques or ways they used to carve the stone.
Researchers are uncovering the secrets of these times. They are learning if there were any interactions between the Vikings, Gaels, and Picts. Research like this has never been done before. The only research that has happened is from historians with a small interest in the Vikings. This new project could help us open our eyes to the past.
The future of 3D laser scanning
In many ways, this technology has shaped the way we are living our lives now. Now, 3D laser scanning is shaping the way our younger generation learns about the past. We are now able to view almost everything online. In museums, we are allowed to touch more artifacts because they are replicas. We have an effortless way to share and spread knowledge. This is a quality of 3D laser scanning that is truly inspiring.
