Laser Scanning as a Methodology for the 3-D Digitization of Archaeological Ship Timbers: A Case Study Using the World Trade Center Shipwreck

Abstract

Accurate documentation of cultural heritage material is essential to its study and interpretation by archaeologists. In order to continually refine the documentation process, technological advances are incorporated into traditional methodologies. This study demonstrates the utility of high-definition laser scanning for the documentation of disarticulated timbers from the ship remains found during the excavation of the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City. Laser scanned models of the timbers were used to virtually re-assemble the ship, produce traditional scaled drawings for standard documentation, loft a series of ship lines for reconstruction modeling, and to produce a scaled 3-D printed model of the ship.