Application of additive manufacturing to the digital restoration of archaeological artefacts

A literature review showed that published applications of Additive Manufacturing (AM) to the restoration of archaeological artefacts remain limited. This paper reports a substantial body of original work done in this area. It demonstrates how AM and linked processes should be optimally applied, introducing a series of process maps generated to guide future practical work. The action research methodology was predominantly used, combined with questionnaires and expert interviews for validating the process maps. Archaeological artefacts have been characterised according to subject, material, complexity of shape, overall size, minimum feature size, and surface finish. Research outputs should prove valuable to those working in the field of digital restoration and fine art sculpture, particularly when digital capture of shape and the creation of physical replicas are required. The main contribution to knowledge is the characterisation of archaeological artefacts and the resultant process maps derived from this characterisation.