
The Bodleian Libraries unveil groundbreaking scanning technology
The Bodleian Libraries have unveiled remarkable new 3D scanning technology, developed in partnership with the Factum Foundation as part of the project ARCHiOx (Analysing and Recording Cultural Heritage in Oxford). The project has pioneered a new form of photometric scanning which can record objects at extremely high resolution, and reveal details that have never been seen before.
The technology has the potential to transform how the world’s cultural heritage is documented, studied, preserved and disseminated by providing highly detailed information on the texture and surface detail of books, paintings and other objects. It can also be used to create incredibly detailed reproductions of historical objects, accurate to the smallest detail.
This project has already helped to discover the writing and doodles of Eadberg, thought to be an 8th century nun, in a manuscript from the Bodleian’s collections. It is hoped that once the technology is ready to be shared with other institutions, it could unlock countless similar discoveries.
Flint Culture has delivered several high-profile pieces of coverage on the initial findings of the ARCHiOx technology, including a feature on BBC Future and video report by New Scientist.