Course 2026
3 CFU (II semester):
1 CFU, 8 lectures
2 CFU, 12 laboratory sessions
Aula SR E1 (Wednesday: 10.30 – 12.30)
Aula SR D1 (Friay: 10.30 – 12.30)
DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Virtual anthropology is a multidisciplinary approach to
studying fossil specimens and human skeletal variations.
The course aims to provide the students with a solid understanding
of virtual anthropology and it can be applied in various fields.
The laboratory activity is mainly dedicated to the acquisition and creation of 3D models.
Furthermore, students will apply principles of virtual reconstruction
to the restoration of human fossil specimens.
Link to the Google Classroom class:
Virtual Anthropology
SYLLABUS
An introduction to virtual anthropology; digital acquisition via photogrammetry, laser scanning and computerized tomography; an introduction to geometric morphometrics; paleoneurology; virtual restoration of damaged fossil specimens; 3D printing.
Digital acquisition: the student will learn how to build a 3D model using CT data, photogrammetry and laser scanning.
Shape analysis: the student will learn how to study fossil specimens, perform virtual reconstruction and measure skeletal shape and form.
Retrodeformation: Throghout the definition of anatomical landmarks on the left and right sides the 3D model of a fossil specimen is retrodeformed.
Paleoneurology: 3D model from CT-scan will be used to extract brain shape (endocast) from fossil and living specimens. Cranial endocasts are used to study hominin brain evolution
3D printing: during the lab sessions, the student will learn how to prepare and print 3D models.