O Brother, Where Art You? A quantitative approach using 3D models and Geometric Morphometrics: the case study of the Ayia Irini terracotta figurines
Vera Moitinho de Almeida, Valentina Vassallo
Abstract The Ayia Irini terracotta figurines are part of a collection found by a Swedish excavation in a rural open-air sanctuary in the north of Cyprus in 1929. It consists of a large number of statues different in size and in form representing human figures, animals, chariots, minotaurs. After the discovery, the archaeological mission received the permission to export more than half of the collection to Sweden, where is currently exhibited at the Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm and a small set at the Historical Museum of Lund University. The rest of the collection is exhibited at the Cyprus museum in Nicosia. Traditionally, archaeological descriptions have either been based on qualitative assessments of morphologies and non-diagnostic techniques, or on the use of linear basic measurements and ratios to characterize figurines typologically, stylistically and morphologically. The current research aims at enhancing traditional studies and at exploring the range of variation that occurs in figurine form and size, and its potential contribution to their manufacturing taxonomy. Our approach includes the use of 3D scanning, three-dimensional models and Geometric Morphometrics (GM) techniques, to quantify and statistically analyse these archaeological objects. 3D scanning of archaeological materials has been widely used for artefact documentation. For this research, a set of human figures of small size were 3D scanned using a portable laser surface scanning system. Then, they were subjected to 3D GM techniques to quantify and analyse form variation and co-variation with other variables and factors. Thereafter, we proceeded with multivariate statistical analysis to evaluate the morphological similarity/dissimilarity between the sampled set. We expect that the results of 3D GM and statistical analysis of these figurines may enhance discussions of technological studies and quantitatively improve our understanding of manufacturing techniques and procedures. This non-invasive approach has not been previously applied to terracotta figurines in Cyprus.
Keywords: 3D Scanning; Cyprus; Geometric Morphometrics; Quantitative Analysis; Terracotta Figurines.
