Three-dimensional model of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton

Published ArticlePurpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the first detailed three-dimensional (3D) print from micro-computed tomography data of the skeleton of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy. Design/methodology/approach – Radiographic analysis of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy housed at Iziko Museums of South Africa was performed using non-destructive x-ray micro-computed tomography. A 1:1 physical replica of its skeleton was printed in a polymer material (polyamide) using 3D printing technology. Findings – The combination of high-resolution computed tomography scanning and rapid prototyping allowed us to create an accurate 1:1 model of a biological object hidden by wrappings. This model can be used to study skeletal features and morphology and also enhance exhibitions hosted within the museum. Originality/value – This is the first replica of its kind made of an ancient Egyptian falcon mummy skeleton. The combination of computed tomography scanning and 3D printing has the potential to facilitate scientific research and stimulate public interest in Egyptology

Touching and interacting with inaccessible cultural heritage

International audienc

Over and beyond the Primate baubellum Surface: A “Jewel Bone” Shielded in Museums

Computed Tomography (CT), mostly used in the medical field, has also recently been involved in Cultural Heritage studies, thanks to its efficiency and total non-invasiveness. Due to the large variety of sizes and compositions typical of Cultural Heritage objects, different X-ray sources, detectors, and setups are necessary to meet the different needs of various case studies. Here, we focus on the use of micro-CT to explore the morphology and shape of a small, neglected bone found inside the clitoris of non-human primates (the baubellum), which we obtained by accessing two prestigious primatological collections of the American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY, USA) and the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, DC, USA). Overcoming methodological limits imposed by the absence of homologous landmarks, we combined the use of the non-invasive 3D micro-CT and a recently released landmark-free shape analysis (the alpha-shape technique) to objectively describe and quantify the shape complexity of scanned primate baubella. Micro-CT provided high-resolution results, overcoming constraints linked to museum policy about non-disruptive sampling and preserving samples for future research. Finally, it proved appropriate as post-mortem sampling had no impact on protected wild primate populations

3D Printing of Teeth from X-Ray Microtomography for the Purpose of Research and Training

Within dental education, there is a distinct need for hands-on pre-clinical training before a patient’s treatment is carried out for the first time. A combination of extracted teeth and artificial teeth (typodonts) are widely used. However, the availability of extracted teeth is low, and there is a dissatisfaction amongst undergraduate dental students that these artificial teeth do not look and feel like extracted teeth. This project aimed to produce an artificial tooth that looks and feels like an extracted tooth, utilising images collected from X-ray microtomography (XMT) and manufacturing techniques of three-dimensional (3D) printing. As well as to establish differences between extracted and artificial teeth from a haptic point of view. Extracted human teeth were imaged using high-contrast XMT. A method was developed to convert reconstructed XMT images into a 3D printing file format (STL). A technique was also developed to measure the forces imposed on the tooth from a dental handpiece, with forces being measured during the cutting process. Models were 3D printed to high accuracy from the original reconstructed XMT images. From the simulated ‘haptic’ feedback experiment, it was shown that commercially available artificial teeth required more force to cut compared to extracted teeth. The composites that were designed and printed closely resembled this force needed to cut, compared to artificial teeth. These teeth were provided to qualified dentists and undergraduate dental students. Feedback from them showed a promising basis for future development. To conclude, this project has investigated the consensus that dental students are unhappy with current commercially available teeth and has developed a force measuring technique to quantify this difficulty in cutting. Through material development, materials that required a similar cutting force were produced. This project provides the basis for future development in producing more accurate dental simulants for teaching and training