Discovery Channel documentary uses Artec 3D scanners to examine Macedonian royal tomb artifacts.
A potential archaeological breakthrough has emerged through cutting-edge 3D technology. Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown team employed Artec Leo handheld scanners to examine a sarcophagus at the British Museum that some scholars believe may belong to Alexander the Great.
The wireless scanners created detailed digital models of the artifact in minutes, allowing researchers to study intricate carvings and inscriptions without risking damage to the 2,300-year-old relic. Digital archaeologist Pietro Meloni explained how the team used augmented reality to overlay scan data with historical records of Macedonian royal armor designs.
“This technology lets us answer questions we couldn’t approach before,” Meloni said. “We can measure wear patterns, analyze tool marks, and even reconstruct missing elements virtually.” The scans revealed details supporting the sarcophagus’s elite origins, including evidence of gold leaf decoration and precise dimensional ratios used in royal Macedonian tombs.
Also Read: Kind Designs Raises $5M to Pioneer 3D-Printed Living Seawalls
Museum curators noted the non-invasive scanning process represents a new standard for archaeological verification. The findings will feature in an upcoming Expedition Unknown special, showcasing how modern technology is revolutionizing ancient history research.
