Ancient Rome Meets Modern Tech: How 3D Printing Recreated Trajan’s Column for the Saint Louis Art Museum

Key Takeaways

• The Saint Louis Art Museum used 3D printing to recreate a scene from Trajan's Column for their "Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan" exhibit.
• The original Trajan's Column is a 38-meter carved marble column in Rome, featuring 155 bas-relief scenes that spiral around the column 23 times.
• The museum partnered with Flyover Zone to digitally capture the scene and Printerior, a local 3D printing company, to print the replica.
• Printerior used their Bambu Lab FDM print farm, consisting of 30 H2S printers, to create the life-size reproduction.

Introduction to 3D Printing in Cultural Heritage

The Saint Louis Art Museum's "Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan" exhibit has brought the power and influence of the Roman Empire to the Midwest. However, one piece that could not be transported from Rome was Trajan's Column, a 38-meter carved marble column that tells the story of Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars. To overcome this challenge, the museum turned to 3D printing technology.

The Digital Capture Process

Flyover Zone, an education tech company, digitally captured one scene from Trajan's Column using advanced scanning techniques. This digital model was then used to create a life-size reproduction of the scene.

The 3D Printing Process

Printerior, a St. Louis-based 3D printing company, was tasked with printing the replica. They used their Bambu Lab FDM print farm, consisting of 30 H2S printers, to create the life-size reproduction. This approach allowed for a more delicate and detailed print than could be achieved with a single large-scale printer.

Comparison of 3D Printing Technologies

The Result

The resulting print is a life-size reproduction of one scene from Trajan's Column, measuring approximately 1 meter tall. The level of detail and accuracy achieved through 3D printing technology has allowed the Saint Louis Art Museum to bring a piece of ancient Rome to their exhibit, providing visitors with a unique and immersive experience.

Bottom Line

The use of 3D printing technology in the cultural heritage sector has opened up new possibilities for museums and cultural institutions to recreate and display ancient artifacts. The Saint Louis Art Museum's "Ancient Splendor: Roman Art in the Time of Trajan" exhibit is a prime example of how 3D printing can be used to bring the past to life, providing visitors with a unique and engaging experience. With its ability to create detailed and accurate replicas, 3D printing is set to play an increasingly important role in the preservation and display of cultural heritage.