Laser Scanning

When we found out about the statue we contacted colleagues at the University of Warwick’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). Dr Mark Williams of WMG, a leader in laser measurement, took his team and equipment to the site in order to produce the laser scans.

Using a state-of-the-art Metris Coordinate Measuring Arm and a MWMG team scanning (Hembo Pagi: ACRG)etris ModelMaker D50 Single Stripe Scanner the Warwick team measured every surface of the head to within 0.05 of a millimetre and translated that information into a computer model. This machine is extremely accurate and capable of recording data very quickly. The point clouds were processed in Warwick and then the data provided to the ACRG for remodelling and texturing. 

Rapid prototyping was then used to create a physical 3-D model of the head revealing the smallest detail and providing a useful record for conservators and archaeologists.

An online illustration of the scan data in PTM format is available. (NOTE: This page requires Java and download of c. 1MB file)