3D models serve multiple purposes and are valuable sources of knowledge to both specialists and the general public. More specifically the creation of 3D models provides four key benefits: facilitating scientific research, supporting the preservation of materials and sites, broadening access to cultural heritage, and enhancing education.
For the community of scholars, digital reproductions of archaeological objects and sites enable remote and unrestricted time analysis. Compared to photographs or any other forms of 2D representations, 3D models offer far greater detail, granting researchers access to highly accurate data that ensure the reliability of their study.
For museums and cultural heritage institutions, 3D modelling provides a way to share and preserve objects – and then the valuable information they contain – without risking damage from handling or environmental exposure. Additionally, it allows for the digital integration of collections that have been separated by geography and time, fostering collaboration between institutions and research centres.
The online dissemination of 3D models gives access to knowledge to a border public, engaging audiences who may not typically visit museums or view them as sources of information. By offering an interactive and immersive experience, 3D models can spark curiosity and make cultural heritage more accessible.
Online explorers of the 3D models are able to virtually interact with the object, shaping their own learning path. Unlike a traditional onsite visit to a museum, the digital environment offers them the opportunity to rotate objects, zoom in on intricate details, and examine them from every angle, providing a virtual handling and touching experience of objects otherwise impossible to manipulate. Beyond simple visualisation, this interactive edition of the tambourine player figurine encourages curiosity and enriches the learning process, transforming the way audiences engage with terracotta models.
To learn more about some benefits of 3D models for the general public you can look at the project run by the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology at the University of Reading about Cypriot figurines: read more.