Collaboration: Artefact collection, archaeology, and Acadia SteamSpace at the Festival of Teaching (Aug 27/24)

The past few weeks, the Archives have been partnering with Dr. Chelsea Gardner, Classical Archaeologist and professor in the Department of History and Classics, her RA, Cameron Barnard, and SteamSpace students Anna Jean Ferguson and Zach Adams to explore innovative ways of imaging and reproducing our artifact collection for teaching and learning.

Last week, Anna Jean and Zach visited the Kirkconnell Room to 3D scan a wide variety of artifacts from our collection, including a Roman vase (Object 6), part of the ruins of Acadia’s First College Hall (Object 29), and a tiny Acadia Ladies’ Seminary Class of 1911 ring (Object 92).

The most successful scan was of Object 412, “Winged Victory,” a reproduction of The Winged Victory of Samothrace, one of the most famous statues at the Louvre. This statue was originally housed in the entrance of the Acadia Ladies’ Seminary, and early 20th century photographs indicate it formerly had a set of wings. Zach and Anna Jean were able to use the SteamSpace’s 3D printers to create a mini model from the scan which could be used to facilitate interaction and learning while protecting the original from handling and environmental damage.

Dr. Gardner, Zach, Anna Jean, and Archives Coordinator Catherine gave a demonstration of this technology and chatted with participants about our artifacts at the Festival of Teaching in the SteamSpace on August 27. Participants were also able to take home a 3D print of one of our tiniest artifacts—a bronze brontosaurus!