Re-presenting Qatari history: 3D digitizing of human remains of the Neolithic Age from Wadi Debayan (poster)

Abstract

As part of the Qatar National Historic Environment Record Project (QNHER), excavation in 2013 revealed one Neolithic burial in Wadi Debayan. The remains were found to be very poorly preserved, however, taking considerable time to excavate and carry out careful consolidation prior to lifting. Given the fragile state of the remains, selected bones were subjected to laser scanning during conservation and cleaning. This was undertaken in order to create a permanent record that would provide specialists with easy access to the digital archive, without the concern of further damage to the bone. Such an archive has significantly more potential, however. By 3D-printing laser scans of the skeleton it is possible to provide realistic, full-colour museum exhibits, while to some extent resolving the complex issues associated with the public exhibition of human bone. Such a record also has the potential to provide teaching aids and form the basis for future online digital archives. This research is a collaboration between the Qatar Museums, the University of Birmingham, and Texas A&M University (Qatar), and was undertaken as part of the Qatar National Historic Environment Record Project.