Smart 3D-printed pottery repairs offer new preservation tool for museums

Scientists at Koc University have created a method combining photogrammetry and 3D printing technology to restore missing sections of ancient pottery while simultaneously tracking environmental conditions that affect preservation. The customised 3D-printed components can be embedded with sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, pH levels and physical stress—critical factors in long-term artifact conservation.

The approach has been tested on maritime amphorae, ancient vessels recovered from archaeological sites in Türkiye and Italy. By using precise digital imaging and scanning techniques, researchers can create exact replacements for damaged portions that not only restore the vessels visually but also provide real-time data about storage conditions.

For museum conservators and archaeologists, the embedded sensors offer a significant advancement in preservation methodology. Rather than relying on periodic manual inspections, the smart repairs allow continuous monitoring of environmental factors that can accelerate deterioration of fragile ceramics and other ancient materials.

The technology addresses a long-standing challenge in heritage conservation: balancing restoration efforts with the need to understand and control the conditions surrounding artifacts. By integrating sensing capabilities into replacement components, institutions can gather valuable data to optimize storage environments and develop more effective preservation strategies for collections.