Shape Matching
CRANE is creating what will become a comprehensive digital pottery reference library, and a powerful new tool for archaeological reconstruction and visualization.
Led by Eugene Fiume (University of Toronto), Lisa Cooper and Lynn Welton (University of Toronto) the reference library means researchers will eventually be able to match their pot sherds with any in the Ceramic Database, linking them directly to data about the object recorded in the OCHRE software platform.
Additionally, they will be able to match them to complete vessels categorized in the system, allowing them to create virtual reconstructions based on sherds’ profile curve, metrics, fabric descriptions and finish.
The system requires a large and inclusive typology of ceramics, and will be initially populated from CRANE’s excavations and surveys.
Profile and stance extraction of sherd.
Calculating the mathematical descriptors of a sherd for shape matching.
Automated Sherd Matching, from Piccoli et al.