APPLICATION REPORT smartSCAN 3D scanning at the end of the world: Historical huts in Antarctica

KO21 is a multidisciplinary study investigating, amongst other aspects, the biological and non-biological deterioration on the Heroic Era huts of the two famous British polar explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on Ross Island. The smartSCAN-HE with a large field of view New Zealand based Geometria, an advisory and research ser- vices provider in the fields of archaeology and cultural heritage management, has conducted since 2010 several surveys using three-dimensional scanning equipment, such as a breuckmann Measuring system and setup Scanner, for high-definition recordings. The long-term results The smartSCAN-HE was chosen for the challenge will help various scientists to interpret and model their data. of a 3D scanning project of this magnitude in harsh Antarctic conditions in order to deliver consistent and dependable performance as well as generate highly Objective and measuring object precise scan data.

During January 2011, members of Geometria and the University of The smartSCAN-HE consists of a projector unit Waikato (New Zealand) made their way to Ross Island (Antarctica) to located in the middle of the scanner base which, conduct a comprehensive 3D white-light and laser scanning project of based on the operation principle of the miniaturized Scott´s huts at Hut Point and Cape Evans as well as Shackleton´s hut projection technique, rapidly projects a vast number at Cape Royds. The resulting scan data will not only support multi- of fringe light patterns onto the measuring object. disciplinary studies but also help to develop interpretative models for Each end of the two sensor bases is equipped with broader public consumption. a high-resolution 5 megapixel digital color camera, capturing every single projection point of the patterns Although these huts of the famous British Antarctic Expedition Terra formed of the object surface. A special algorithm then Nova (1910 - 1913) have been exposed to the elements in one of the performs a triangulation calculation to measure the most inhospitable environments on earth for over a century, they are exact position of each point within the fringe pattern, preserved in amazingly good condition. Because of their remoteness, processing up to millions of points for each scan. the huts have not been subjected to major human impact since their abandonment about 100 years ago. The significance of these sites Workflow with regard to their cultural heritage as well as their inaccessibility necessitates their digital recording, modelling and remote interpre- Due to the harsh environmental conditions and pres- tation for detailed scientific studies. sure from an increasing number of visitations, both the structures of the huts as well as their contents are in urgent need for detailed scientific study, archiving and modelling for interpretive purposes. Given a limited time frame of only 12 field days for this project, the comprehensive 3D data acquisition of a measuring project of this size and volume is a challenging task. Nevertheless, the expedition members managed to digitize a lot of the huts’ exterior structures as well as various artefacts found inside the abandoned huts.

Thanks to the high-resolution color cameras of the smartSCAN-HE, all objects have been captured not only at very high level of accuracy and adherence to detail but also in their actual colors. Due to the interfering influence of ambient light, scanning out- Scott‘s Terra Nova Hut at Cape Evans © New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust side the huts posed the biggest challenge: In the Antarctic summer with 24 hours of daylight, the light comes in from all angles and, to add to the challenge, is reflected by the snow. Any scanning work on the external surfaces of the huts had therefore to be carried out under cover of large makeshift light protection shields. For future scanning projects in Antarctica, the team plans to work with collapsible light shields. The scanner was used in freezing tempe- ratures varying from -2°C to -12°C which did not have any impact on the system itself or the quality of the generated scan data, therefore making the stable working smartSCAN-HE is an excellent system for demanding and challenging field work!

Conclusion

The breuckmann Scanner allows for truly accurate and authentic 3D scanning of Terra Nova interior artefacts recordings of the current conditions of the hut structures as well as © Geometria of their interiors. The digital data produced in this project constitutes an essential part in the planning and implementation of the ongoing conservation of these remarkable sites. It also serves as basis for scientific and educational interpretation of the polar researchers’ huts and their dissemination allows a broad spectrum of users to work on individual specific analyses or interpretations. Archaeologists, con- servators, conservation architects, or microbiologists are all equally interested in the interpretation of different aspects of the cultural heritage as well as the history of these sites.

The smartSCAN-HE has proven to be the perfect system for 3D digitization in this demanding environment. With suitable protection from ambient light, this scanner consistently delivers top-quality data at remarkable resolution and adherence to detail — even at fluctuating or very low temperatures.

“Using the smartSCAN-HE we were able to fulfill our project aims for Terra Nova artefact as 3D model with original colors the 2011 field season. We confirm the capacity of this equipment to © Geometria capture the data at the highest resolutions that our project partners require. More importantly, the operability and reliability of the smartSCAN-HE has been proven in the harsh Antarctic environment where equipment failure is common.” (Russell Gibb, Geometria Ltd.)

Literature

Antarctic Heritage Trust, Conservation Report: Shackleton’s Hut British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909, Christchurch, 2003

Antarctic Heritage Trust, Conservation Plan: Discovery Hut, Hut Point, Christchurch, 2004 Scott’s Hut, Cape Evans, Christchurch, 2004

Recording an ablated veranda post at the Discovery Hut Contact / Link © Geometria

Geometria Ltd, 1145 Auckland, New Zealand — www.geometria.co.nz

We would like to thank the staff of Geometria Ltd. New Zealand for their kind contribution of the information and photographs to compile this report.

AICON 3D Systems GmbH Biberweg 30 C | D-38114 Braunschweig tel. +49 (0)531 58 000 58 www.aicon3d.com | [email protected]