3D imagery of artifacts at Parks Canada

Discover how Parks Canada uses 3D imaging to preserve and share fragile artifacts from historic sites across the country.

Conserving heritage, one image at a time

Parks Canada staff work every day to conserve cultural heritage in Canada. This includes research on artifacts from national historic sites across the country.

Parks Canada uses new photography and imaging methods to gain a better understanding of these objects.

A person scans an artifact with a handheld scanner in a dimly lit laboratory, the image is displayed on a computer screen — Artifact imaging specialist Marni Wilson 3D scans an artifact at Parks Canada's imaging lab in Ottawa, Ontario.
© Laboratories Canada / Martin Lipman

A person scans a historic axe with a handheld scanner in a lab, projecting red light on the object — Wilson uses an Artec Leo handheld 3D scanner to scan the Washburn Ice Axe artifact found in Kluane National Park and Reserve.

The work of an imaging specialist

Parks Canada’s imaging specialists record artifacts of all shapes and sizes in astonishing detail. They have created 3D images of artifacts of many different sizes and ages. Some are as small as a spear point at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in British Columbia. And some are as large as a historic fireplace at Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site in Prince Edward Island.

Many of the objects documented by Parks Canada are very fragile. They are also often found in remote locations. Imaging specialists scan, record, and research even the most inaccessible pieces of history using portable, advanced technology.

Seeing the unseen: the example of a rusted key

Two photos representing a key found at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site were taken at the lab in Ottawa in 2018. The images were made before the object was treated, to show the object in high detail, and to see what lies within the concretion.

A rusted key artifact ont a grey flat surface beside a measuring tape — A high-resolution photo of a rusted key. The rust obscures what the object is. High resolution cameras are used to make records of objects.

An X-ray of a rusty key; the metal is visible beneath the rust, which appears paler than the rest — An x-ray of the same rusted key. The x-ray reveals that there is a key beneath the rust. Radiography helps us see inner workings of objects and can inform specialists how to proceed with its research and treatment.

Tools of the trade

The equipment used by Parks Canada’s imaging specialists is capable of recording objects in both 2D and 3D, and capturing wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. That means they can even reveal details not seen by the naked eye!

Some of the imaging techniques used by Parks Canada include:

Ultraviolet Visible Fluorescence (UV-VIS) imaging, Infrared (IR) imaging and Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI)
photogrammetry
industrial Radiography
3D laser scanning
optical lighting techniques
high resolution professional studio photography

A person holds a portable scanner that projects a bright white light on a historical axe — A handheld scanner is used to 3D scan the ice axe, projecting light on the artifact to show more details.

A person uses a handheld scanner to scan an artifact on a detailed calibration board, with the 3D model appearing on screen highlighted in green — As Wilson 3D scans the ice axe, the image is being shown on the scanner's screen.

It's all in the details

Parks Canada’s team of cultural heritage experts benefit from the high degree of detail captured by these imaging techniques. Thanks to the work of Parks Canada’s imaging specialists, 3D recordings of historic structures and objects are used to determine details such as the type of materials they are made from, their date of creation, their original uses, and the health of these artifacts. Imaging specialists help these objects come to life.

A projectile point is displayed on the screen of a laptop while archaeologists stand in the background — Parks Canada archeologists Colleen Hughes, Jennifer Ayles, and archaeological technician Kevin Black Plume display a projectile point on the screen.

An archaeologist photographs an artifact with a specialized device, in a room where other specialists are working — Archaeologist Colleen Hughes photographs an artifact in the Parks Canada laboratory in Calgary, Alberta.

We create 3D images of historical artifacts for many reasons. One of these reasons is to make artifacts available to visitors in national historic sites and national parks.

With the help of 3D images, we produce detailed reproductions of historical objects in labs and on-site. These reproductions are often used in exhibits at national historic sites and national parks across Canada.

Parks Canada has produced 3D images of valued artifacts from many historic places across the country!

Parks Canada’s expertise in photography and imagery helps tell the diverse stories of history in Canada. With the help of the imaging lab, we are able to make valued pieces of Canada’s history available for all.

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