The Bioarchaeological Collection is a comprehensive repository of human remains curated by the Laboratory of Biological Anthropology (LoBA) at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH). This collection represents a unique biocultural record of past populations, housing skeletal material excavated from various archaeological contexts with an extensive diachronic representation. Significant portions of these remains have been studied using high-end analytical techniques, including ancient DNA (aDNA), isotopic and histological analysis, providing a rich background for biological profiling. Within the EXCALIBUR project, this collection serves as the primary dataset for testing and validating non-invasive digitisation methods, such as high-resolution 3D surface scanning and CT imaging.
The historical value of this collection lies in its ability to facilitate a holistic study of past human experiences. Rather than providing anthropological data like sex or age, these remains serve as a medium for understanding past populations within their cultural and environmental settings. The used dataset regards a variety of populations throughout chronological periods (Iron Age (1100-900BC) to Post-Byzantine (1453-1821BCE)) and locations offering a unique perspective of culture and human co-evolution. The interdisciplinary data extracted from the collection—including information on diet, pathologies, and mobility—enables researchers to reconstruct a complete picture of daily life across different historical periods in the Mediterranean.
Unlike site-specific pilots, UC4 is centered in a laboratory research environment: the the Laboratory of Biological Anthropology (LoBA) in Komotini. The “site” consists of a specialized facility equipped for the curation, conservation, and digital study of osteological material. The pilot utilizes existing laboratory infrastructure, including Artec Spider 3D scanners and CT-scanning protocols, to transform physical remains into accurate digital twins without compromising the integrity of the original specimens.
Standardized Digital Documentation
Develop and implement an automatic, standardized methodology for the high-fidelity 3D and volumetric digitisation of ancient bones and teeth, as also detecting environmental pollution from chemical analysis.
AI-Enhanced Profiling
Utilize deep neural network models and multifactorial data analysis to accurately reconstruct anatomical missing elements and predict height from 3D surface scans, predic biological sex from 2D digital images and predict environmental contamination elemental analysis.
Non-Invasive Structural Analysis
Apply CT-scanning to reconstruct the internal structures of bones, revealing bental density for developing best practices for bioarchaeological research. Use Structure Light Scanning for creating digital twins of long bones that can be used for geometric-morphometric studyies. Conducting SEM-EDS uncoated bone fragments from cremated bones that can be repeatedly used for future research.
Holistic Data Interconnection
Combine biological (biological sex, age-at-death, height, pathologies) and archaeological data (chronology, topography) with digital representations into a unified Knowledge Graph to provide a multi-layered profile of the deceased.
Inclusive Knowledge Sharing
Populate the EXCALIBUR interoperable platform with open access web tools follow FAIR principles for use by the global scientific community
EXCALIBUR Toolkits Utlized
TK 2: Risk mapping toolkit for tracking material degradation
Tracking structural and material degradation of the rock-cut room and wooden findings
TK 3: Immersive visualisation component for combined representations
Combining 3D surface scans with internal CT-scans of artefacts or remains
TK 4: Empowered Chatbot
Providing a natural language interface to query the site's knowledge graph
TK 5: AI for Cultural Heritage
Automating digitisation, feature recognition, and surface refinement
TK 7: Comprehensive toolkit for bioarchaeology and biological anthropology
Standardising the digital study of any human remains found within the context
TK 9: Multimodal semantic data fusion
Integrating heterogeneous data (text, 3D, images) into a unified knowledge graph
TK 10: Interoperable human-centred platform to upload and update cultural assets
Centralised web-based hub for uploading and managing the pilot's digital assets
TK 11: Ethnographic storyliving experiences creator for virtual worlds
Developing immersive narratives based on Sulky’s funerary rituals
TK 12: Advanced digitisation toolkit
High-definition XR interpretation and photogrammetry for burial findings
Involved Partners
DUTH
Coordinates the pilot use case, manages the skeletal collection, and leads the development of the bioarchaeological toolkit (TK7)
IHU
Develops risk mapping for material degradation (TK2) and collaborates on the development of bioarchaeological methodologies (TK7)
LMU
Contributes expertise in semantics and Generative AI to develop the empowered chatbot (TK4) and ethnographic storyliving narratives (TK11)
CWI
Optimizes CT-scan datasets and develops algorithms for aligning 3D surface scans with internal volumetric data (TK3)
CERTH
Leads the development of immersive visualization components (TK3) and experimental virtual spaces for storyliving (TK11)
CTL
Delivers the CASPAR framework for multimodal semantic data fusion (TK9) and manages the interoperable platform (TK10)
PIX4D
Supplies advanced digitisation toolkits utilizing photogrammetry for the recording of burial findings (TK12)
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