Laser Aided Profiler (LAP)
device employs the latest technology for high-quality, rapid, digital documentation of ceramic fragments.
Laser Aided Profiler (LAP) for archaeologists
For busy archaeologists struggling with processing of large find assemblages, the Laser Aided Profiler device employs the latest technology for high-quality, rapid, digital documentation of ceramic fragments. Forget about the tedious drawing task and take your research to the next level.
Efficient
- Streamlined software application optimized for pottery fragment drawings
- 100 to 400 drawings per day, depending on sample complexity
- Digitized data immediately available for database storage, publishing, or further analysis
Robust and reliable
- Use it in the lab as well as in the field
- Withstands dusty environments and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius
- Purely optical data acquisition, no moving parts
- Works even with strong ambient sunlight
- Eye-safe class 1 laser
Portable
- Comes with a handy suitcase
- Dimensions 46 x 34 x 15 cm (18 x 13 x 6 inches) for easy airplane transport
- Weight under 7 kg (15 lb.)
- Assembled and ready to work in 10 minutes
Use cases
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Digitize existing deposits to safeguard their contents and enable new research opportunities
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Process finds on the fly at the excavation sites, come home without a huge backlog
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Optimize personnel required for archaeological expeditions
Software
Assembly & Calibration
Drawing
Database Operations
You can use the LAP in the lab as well as in the field. The device is built on industrial-grade components that can withstand dusty environments and temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius. It is easily portable, with assembly and disassembly taking just a few minutes.
For extreme robustness in long-term usage, there are no moving parts and the data acquisition is purely optical. Thanks to advanced synchronization technology, the image capturing is reliable even in places with strong ambient sunlight. Still, the lasers are kept eye-safe for the operator.
The LAP comes packed in a handy suitcase. Measuring 46 x 34 x 15 cm (18 x 13 x 6 inches) and weighing under 7 kg (15 lb.), its size and weight fall within standard airplane cabin baggage limits, so you can keep the LAP safely with you while travelling.
The bundled software application streamlines the drawing process for you to work at maximum efficiency while achieving high-quality outputs. Depending on the sample complexity, a skilled operator can produce up to 400 drawings per day. The digital data, metadata and complete drawings are saved into an open-source database for later querying or processing.
All drawings are in scale and immediately ready to be published. The acquired data are readily available for subsequent processing, e.g. shape-matching or morphometric analysis.
Team
The LAP idea was conceived over a cup of tea between two friends with different professional backgrounds. Peter is an archaeologist specializing in computational modelling of past human activities relying on large digital datasets. Vladimír is an engineer skilled in optical measurement and inspection systems for manufacturing industries. Together we seek to bring high tech into archaeology.
Peter Demján
Vladimír Držík
References
The LAP is currently used at the following institutions:
