Reverse Engineering and the Pyramids
3D scanning is the process of using a high powered laser beam to scan an object and bring it to life inside a computer. The method can be beneficial in many industries, like metrology, aviation, animation and more. Now scientists are discovering that 3D scanning is a great way to preserve historical information, too.
Scientists are constantly studying the ways ancient people of the world built incredible formations, like the pyramids. With the process of reverse engineering , they can retrace the steps taken to build many formations. But a problem for future scientists may be that the structures erode over time. The solution is to keep comprehensive and detailed data about the formations. The more detailed the information is, the better it is for the scientists because they can then determine how fast the structure is withering and what is causing its slow destruction.
In comes the high powered laser, which provides more astonishingly accurate data than ever thought possible. The giant laser simple scans over the rock formation, for example, and transfers data to the computer. So much data is transferred that the computer has enough coordinates to create a 3D model of the image, which is viewable from any angle imaginable. After the scans are complete, scientists then have an incredibly accurate and highly detailed digital image of the formation that won’t erode away.
An example of a structure that needs to be preserved for future analyzing is the Temple Mount located in Jerusalem. Another example that scientists are interested in preserving is the 12th century monastery called Byland Abbey, which is located in the United Kingdom and is the former location for one of the most successful monasteries with over 200 monks.
Besides for the permanent preservation, there are other perks to using a laser. First, there is no contact between the object and the laser, which allows for minimal invasion of the environment and safety for the staff.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier, the laser yields an incredible amount of data with millions of coordinates, which is far superior than any human-made measurements could offer. Finally, the scans are, of course, automatically computerized, which means they’ll never fade.
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