Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology / Tse'K'wa / 3D Scanning

3D SCANNING

3D scanning is a method in which a laser or light takes distance point measurements of an object in order to recreate the object in digital form with high detail. The data collected from 3D scanning can then be used in 3D printing to create replicas. For museums, this technology allows us to conserve information about artifacts, and, through 3D printing, share these artifacts with the public. Several of the Tse'K'wa lithics were 3D scanned, and the files can be found below. However, the files are in a special format specific to 3D scans, which might not be compatible with any of the programs on your computer. There are several programs on the internet that can be downloaded to view them, we recommend MeshLabs. However if you don't want to download a software, there are several websites where you can upload the files to view online, such as http://www.viewstl.com/

* 2013.021.016.stl
Medium, black, tear shaped biface, with visible flake scars across half the face of artifact.
* 2013.021.092.stl
Medium, beige axe that has two medial notches and retouched ends that have been crushed, with possible iron oxide staining. 30% cortex on one side.
* 2013.021.099.stl
Small, grey contracting excurvate point that has a concave base and is bifacially flaked.
* 2013.021.109.stl
Small, dark grey, excurvate blade, proximal portion broken off.
* 2013.021.112.stl
Small, black, biface, unfinished.
* 2013.021.113.stl
Small, grey, contracting-excurvate point, with bifacial retouch on both sides and a straight base.
* 2013.021.117.stl
Small, black, excurvate point, with a straight base, contracting stem, and tapered shoulders.
* 2013.021.118.stl
Small, tan, contracting-excurvate point, with bifacial retouch, a straight base, and contracting stem.
* 2013.021.135.stl
Medium, grey, basaltic blade, with a prominent distal ridge, very smooth surface. Retouch and usewear present.
* 2013.021.138.stl
A small, dark grey scraper, with retouch on all edges.
* 2013.021.156.stl
Small, black, Scottsbluff point, with stemmed base, bifacial retouch and usewear on both sides. Made from obsidian sourced from Mt. Edziza.
* 2013.021.158.stl
Small, light brown, quartzite end scraper, round on one end narrowing to a square base, with a notch on either side for hafting. Fine retouching along one end and an edge.
* 2013.021.162.stl
Medium, grey, basaltic, foliate biface that has been bifacially retouched on both edges, with usewear more significant on one long edge.
* 2013.021.164.stl
Small, black, incomplete, obsidian blade with usewear on one broken end and along both sides. Obsidian sourced from Mt. Edziza.
* 2013.021.165.stl
Black, brown and dark grey banded nephrite adze blade. Minor chipping on both side. Material was identified as Nephrite by pXRF.
* 2013.021.167.stl
Large, yellow biface, potentially an axe preform.
* 2013.021.186.stl
Medium, black, contracting excurvate biface, with distal portion missing.
* 2013.021.198.stl
Small, black, excurvate point that has a convex base and side notches, with bifacial retouch and usewear present on both sides.
* 2013.021.504.stl
Medium, beige/orange cobble tool with flakes removed from both sides and retouch and usewear present. 20% of cortex present on one side and 10% of cortex on the other side.
* 2013.021.515.stl
Medium, green, basaltic cobble tool, with dark grey spotting and large crystals. One side is completely flat and smooth, with 50% cortex on the other side. Flaking occurs on one edge and there is evidence of usewear.
* 2013.021.819.stl
Bone chisel made from a hollow elk long bone cut/broken at angle on distal end to create a sharp edge. Evidence of use polish. Cancellous bone exposed at ends. Proximal end retouched. pXRF results show lots of silica indicating age several 1000s of years old.

Web page text and design by Melissa Rollit, 2017. Special thanks to the MLab at University of Victoria for providing the 3D scans.