Three-Dimensional Digital Recording and Modelling Methodologies for Documentation and Reconstruction of the Newport Medieval Ship

摘要

The following thesis presents the three-dimensional digital documentation methods and modelling approaches used during the excavation and post-excavation research phases of the Newport Medieval Ship Project. The primary case study is the Newport Medieval Ship, a large clinker-built merchant vessel discovered in 2002 in Newport, Wales, United Kingdom. The use of accurate and efficient three-dimensional digital recording methodologies has allowed for the development of innovative approaches to organising, analysing, modelling and disseminating data about the individual timbers and the overall original hull form. The utilisation of advanced digital technology and engineering, in the form of Rhinoceros3D modelling software, contact digitising and rapid prototyping has enabled the project to develop and test a variety of new methodologies for documenting and reconstructing ancient vessels. Results of the individual ship timber documentation and modelling methodologies are presented, along with analysis and comparison to more traditional documentation and reconstruction approaches. Additionally, the thesis examines the changing philosophical or conceptual approaches to hull form recording and reconstruction research over the last 200 years, and focuses in detail on the last 20 years of the rapidly evolving field of digital documentation in nautical archaeology.