(Integrating Neandertal Legacy: From Past to Present) is a COST Action chaired by Prof. Ivor Jankovi膰 from the Institute for Anthropological Research in Croatia, and sees the involvement of researchers and experts from twenty-seven different European countries.
Since 2021, iNEAL has been holding training schools focussing on the biological, cultural and intangible remains of Neandertals and on palaeoanthropology and archaeology more broadly, with the latest training school, titled Introduction to Segmenting/Visualising Image Data from (Micro)-CT Sources, being organised by the in June 2022. Johann Galdies, from the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta, and the iNEAL Management Committee Member representative for Malta, attended this training.
CT (Computed Tomography) scanning is an imaging technique which utilises x-rays to non-invasively obtain detailed internal shape and density measurements of objects. While it is mainly used in the medical field, CT scanning is increasingly being used within several other fields, since its non-destructive nature makes it ideal to investigate the insides of culturally-important specimens or artefacts.
This training school provided participants with the basic skills to reconstruct 3D digital models from volumetric image data by combining theoretical and practical work. The students familiarised themselves with volumetric image data obtained from CT scans of previously scanned bones and, using the software Avizo, generated 3D digital models of these bones. They were taught how to virtually segment the data and reconstruct specific internal and external surfaces of these bones.
For more information on this training, contact Johann Galdies via email.
The banner photo is taken from a programme provided by the University of Bologna.
