A 2 year AHRC-funded project to study Roman and Late Antique Artefacts from Egypt – a collaborative effort between the University of Kent, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the UCL Petrie Museum, London – has resulted in the production of replica ancient musical instruments using 3-D print technology.
Dr Ellen Swift, Reader in Archaeology and Dr Jo Stoner, Research Associate, both in the Department of Classical and Archaeological Studies, worked together with Dr April Pudsey (Manchester Metropolitan University). They also enlisted the help of SMFA and CMAT technicians to complete the project.
Lloyd Bosworth, Archaeology Technician in SECL, 3-D scanned the ancient objects and created virtual models from the scans. These virtual 3-D models were sent to Fine Art Technicians Georgia Wright and George Morris, who printed them out to use as a basis for the replica objects, which they made in original materials. They created a set of reed panpipes, 3 different ceramic rattles, a pair of wooden clappers and two sets of double-flutes.
The team was also assisted by Centre for Music and Audio Technology Music Technician, Frank Walker, to make sound recordings of the replica instruments. The recordings were created in CMAT’s Neve studio, using computer software that mimics the acoustic qualities of specific interior and exterior spaces. Information on Roman buildings from archaeological excavations in Egypt allowed the researchers to hear the sounds as though the instruments were being played within ancient spaces.
The replica artefacts and the sound recordings are currently being shared at an exciting new exhibition at the UCL Petrie Museum, which will be open from 22 January – 22 April 2019. For more information, visit the UCL Petrie Museum website.