14021

Processing and analyzing Lithic Artifacts in 3D

Florian Linsel

Information for students

Module examination: Term paper (approx. 4,000 words), compulsory regular attendance: Yes, total credit points: 5 CP. This course cannot be registered via the campus management directly; in case you are interested in this course, please contact the Archaeoinformatics office (birgit.ammon-lassen@fu-berlin.de) via email. Please contact your BA/MA representative if you have any questions regarding the recognition of the course for your degree program. close

Additional information / Pre-requisites

Requirements for participation: none

Comments

In this course, participants will gain basic insights into the latest digital methods for analyzing lithic artifacts and their 3D models. They will learn about current topics, e.g. how to reuse data and create annotations on 3D models with Blender. By presenting the latest research in the field of automatic segmentation of surface features, 3D refitting and how segmented 3D models are used to model chaîne opératoires, participants will gain a comprehensive insight into working with 3D models and how they can be used for research. Participants will also learn about programs that can be used for selected topics. Lithic artifacts are among the most enduring and informative traces of the human past. From the earliest Oldowan artifacts to blade technologies, these artifacts provide crucial evidence for understanding the behavior, cognition, adaptation, and technological evolution of hominins. Therefore, studying the life cycle of stone tools, from creation and use to disposal, is essential to understanding the development of early humans. This course focuses on the latest digital methods for analyzing lithic artifacts using complete morphological information in the form of 3D models. Topics covered include reusing existing data, using Blender for annotation routines, and the latest advances in automatically segmenting scars, 3D refitting, and modeling chaîne opératoires using graph-based approaches. By comparing traditional lithic analysis with their digital counterparts, this course provides fundamental training for individuals, who want to work at the intersection between material culture and computational analysis. close

16 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Wed, 12:00 - 15:00 16 Class schedule

Wed, 2025-10-15 12:00 - 15:00

Lecturers:
Florian Linsel