From Digital Model to Physical Proxy : Evaluating 3D-printed Replicas in Lithic Artefact Analysis

Sammanfattning

This thesis evaluates the analytical potential of 3D-printed replicas in archaeological artefact analysis, focusing on lithic materials. While digital 3D models offer detailed visualisation, they lack the physical affordances required for tactile and experimental analysis. 3D printing offers a potential bridge between digital and physical approaches, yet its methodological value remains underexplored. A two-phase research design was implemented, combining experimental comparison of original artefacts, digital models, and 3D-printed replicas in three materials (ABS/FDM, resin/SLA, nylon/SLS), with expert evaluation by four archaeologists. The analysis was guided by an integrated framework combining affordance theory, SHAPE analysis, and authenticity. The results demonstrate that high-resolution replicas can reliably reproduce morphological and typological features, supporting taxonomic and limited physical analysis. Materials produced with SLA and SLS technologies provided the highest analytical fidelity, while FDM showed notable limitations. These limitations are that 3D-printed replicas cannot reproduce original material composition, restricting analyses dependent on material properties such as fracture mechanics and wear patterns. The study argues that 3D-printed replicas function as effective complementary tools rather than substitutes, expanding analytical possibilities while improving accessibility and preservation in archaeological practice.