Special Animation: Iron Alloy Pan Head

This iron alloy effigy in the shape of the Greek God Pan’s head was recovered from the Flowerdew Hundred site and dates to the 20th century.  While its exact function is unclear, it likely was once part of a decorative fence post.

Animated Object of the Day: Cardinal Skull from the Virginia Museum of Natural History

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL)

Dr. Elizabeth Moore of the  Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) recently took the time to speak with my Archaeological Methods and Research Design course about zooarchaeology and brought along a number of items from her extensive reference collection at the VMNH.  We took the opportunity to 3D scan this skull of a female cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), whose bones retain the orange color of the bird’s beak.

Dr. Moore talking to VCU students.

Animation of the Week: Cowbell from the Brenna Geraghty Garden Site

by Bernard K. Means, Director, Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL)

Today’s animation is a cowbell recovered by Brenna Geraghty from her garden.

 

Animation of the Week: Artistic Interpretation of the Venus of Willendorf as an Anti-Fertility Goddess Made of Chocolate

by Bernard K. Means, Director, Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL)

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has a strong arts program and I often have art majors who take my courses.  One of these VCU art majors, Beth Reid, became involved with work in the VCL and decided to combine her interests in archaeology, art, and virtual curation into a sculpture that could be 3D scanned.  In spring 2012, she created a chocolate sculpture resembling the famous Upper Paleolithic portable object known as the Venus of Willendorf–and interpreted by some as a fertility figurine.  Ms. Reid’s chocolate sculpture was combined with birth control pills, to create an anti-fertility figurine.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, here is the animated version of her sculpture.

Animation of the Week: Toy Navy Blimp from Fort Lee RACF

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL)

 

Today’s animation is a toy Navy Blimp that is on display in the museum at the  Fort Lee Regional Archaeological Curation Facility (RACF).  The toy was scanned to help highlight the collections and exhibits at RACF.