AppdArchaeology.com
Exploring archaeological interpretation, creativity and personal connections through 3D printing.
Organising the Workshop
I organised and ran a 3D print painting workshop with the University of Glasgow Archaeology Society, centred around Govan Old and its collection of early medieval carved stones. I produced a range of high-quality resin replicas of the stones, several of which are also represented by prints on display at Govan Old.
The workshop invited participants to explore how the stones look today, but also to experiment with how they might originally have appeared. Research into the use of colour on carved stone monuments, including examples from the Antonine Wall, provided an interesting starting point for imagining these objects beyond their present appearance.
Bringing the Stones to Life
The session began with a short introduction to Govan and its carved stone collection, followed by a talk from a Govan guide about the symbolism and imagery found on the stones. I then demonstrated some basic model-painting techniques before inviting everyone to choose their own replicas and paints.
Despite many participants having little or no previous experience, the results were impressive. Painting encouraged people to examine the carvings much more closely, paying attention to individual patterns, reliefs and areas of wear. This led to interesting discussions about the original appearance of the stones, why certain details were difficult to paint and how centuries of weathering had altered their surfaces.
Making the Past Personal
Most participants painted at least two replicas during the 90-minute session, with some completing three or four. At the end, I invited everyone to donate a model for display in the archaeology department. Almost nobody wanted to part with theirs.
Even participants who had painted several struggled to choose one to leave behind. Having spent time studying, painting and personalising their replicas, they had developed a real attachment to them.
I found this one of the most interesting outcomes of the workshop. More than thirty individually painted representations of Govan's carved stones went home with participants, becoming personal keepsakes and potential talking points about the site. Rather than simply looking at an archaeological object, people had spent time interpreting it and creating something of their own.
Future Possibilities
The success of the workshop has encouraged me to explore similar activities with other archaeological objects and audiences. One idea I would particularly like to develop is incorporating 3D printing into a live excavation, recording and printing finds or trenches as work progresses before finishing with a painting workshop.
This would give participants something tangible to take home from an excavation they had helped uncover, while encouraging them to reflect on the archaeology they had been working with.
AppdArchaeology.com