3D technologies for museums

In museums, the communication through the exhibited objects is an essential feature for transferring knowledge. Since it is interactive and perceptive, it becomes even more relevant especially in a culture where information is mostly based on "image". The department of "Scientific Museum Services" at the "Universita' degli Sudi" in Bari, Italy, provides 3D scanning and printing technology that allow to reproduce "museum objects" either for research or teaching purposes. Reproduction of samples fossils (dinosaurs and "ammonite" footprints), of ancient ruins (vases, skeletons, tools), of crystal shapes ("twinned gypsum") and religious objects (statues, "monstrance" and glasses) are only few examples of research studies with teaching implications. In particularly, it's worthwhile to underline the possibility to utilize this methodology for rebuilding "cultural assets" for video interactions and "gifts" for the museum shop. The products of this 3D scanning technology are so interactive and spectacular that can also be published on the web sites of the museums that produce them. Moreover this technology is a great example to create a "virtual" networking of museums and to promote transfer and communication about cultural assets of "inestimable" value.