As part of an AHRC-funded project, ‘Roman and Late Antique Artefacts in Egypt’, led by Dr Ellen Swift FSA, Reader in Archaeology in the Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies, archaeology technician Lloyd Bosworth has been joining researchers at UCL’s Petrie Museum to undertake laser scanning using the department’s Romer laser scanner.

The laser scanning of a range of musical instruments from Roman Egypt is a key element of the project, as it allows the recreation of these objects through both 3D printing and the making of replicas using authentic materials and techniques. The instruments will then be played, giving us the chance to hear the music of Roman Egypt in the 21st century.

The scanned objects include reed panpipes, a bell in the shape of the head of Bes, the dwarf god of ancient Egypt who protected mothers and children, and a number of small bells attached to tiny bracelets which were worn by children as amulets.

Lloyd is currently creating 3D models of the instruments from the scanned data, before the 3D printing process can begin. The 3D printing will be done by craft technicians in the School of Music and Fine Art here at Kent, while a number of other replicas will be handmade by Canterbury jeweller Justin Richardson. These replicas will form an important part of the project’s public exhibition at the Petrie Museum opening in December 2018, and will showcase the project’s research alongside a range of artefacts from Roman Egypt.

You can follow the project blog to keep up-to-date with progress: https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/egypt-artefacts/blog/