High-resolution 3D surveying of ancient music objects for sound digitization within the MUSE project

This paper presents a high-resolution 3D documentation workflow applied to a selection of ancient sound artefacts held at the National Archaeological Museum of Ferrara, Italy, within the PRIN “MUSE” project. Structured-light scanning and close-range digital photogrammetry were used to produce metrically reliable models of terracotta rattles, a feeding vessel with an internal sounding element, and a fragile conch. The resulting models, obtained with sub-millimetric resolution and accuracies up to about 50 μm, support detailed morphological analysis, conservation documentation and future experiments for sound reactivation. The contribution shows how non-invasive geomatic methods can provide a robust knowledge base for the study, preservation and valorisation of sound heritage.