Herr Dr. Martin Friess Musée de l`Homme, Paris

Universität Freiburg ·Anthropologie ·Hebelstr.29 · D-79104 Freiburg
Gastvortrag Biologische Anthropologie
am Dienstag, dem 10.05.2016 :
Herr Dr. Martin Friess
Musée de l’Homme, Paris
spricht über
„Die virtuelle Anthropologie zwischen Konservierung und 3D
Morphometrie: Das 3D-Labor des Musée de l'Homme in
Paris“
Gäste sind herzlich willkommen!
Zeit: 17 Uhr c.t.
Ort: Seminarraum, Hebelstr. 29
Zu dem Thema „3D-scanning in Biologie und Archaeologie“ bietet Herr Dr. Friess
am Mittwoch, den 11.5.2016 10 Uhr c.t. einen 2stündigen Workshop an. Für den
Workshop bitten wir um Anmeldung unter: [email protected] (Anmeldung nicht notwendig für Teilnehmer der Vorlesung)
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Vortragstitel: Die virtuelle Anthropologie zwischen Konservierung und 3D
Morphometrie: Das 3D-Labor des Musée de l'Homme in Paris
Der rasante Aufstieg 3D-bildgebender Verfahren in den Naturwissenschaften im
Lauf der letzten 10 Jahre hat der biologischen Anthropologie eine Fülle neuer
Forschungs- und Erhaltungsmöglichkeiten beschert, deren Nutzung für
Naturhistorische Sammlungen von besonderem Interesse ist. Dies ergibt sich
zum einen aus der Geschichte dieser Sammlungen, deren Ursprung oft in die
Kolonialzeit zurückreicht und deren Konsequenzen in Form von Repatriierung auf
die Wissenschaft heute direkt einwirken. Zum anderen wird es durch 3D möglich,
evolutionsbiologische Fragestellungen neu anzugehen, und etwaige Ergebnisse
einem breiten Publikum in visueller Form effizienter zu vermitteln. Dies soll
anhand einiger Beispiele aus dem Bereich Hominidenevolution und Variabilität in
Rezentpopulationen illustriert werden.
Titel des Workshops: 3D-scanning in Biologie und Archäologie
Martin Friess
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Biological anthropologist, expert in virtual anthropology.
Lecturer, Humans, Natures, Societies, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle
Manager, 2D and 3D Imagery technology platform
CNRS-MNHN UMR (mixed research unit) 7206 Eco-anthropology and Ethnobiology
A fossil skull revolves slowly on a pedestal draped in black velvet facing a surface scanner; the
resulting images appear on a screen. This technique is not the only one used by Martin Friess to
study morphological variations in the crania of Homo sapiens and our ancestors.
Photogrammetry (several cameras taking pictures from different angles) is another one, and for
small specimens, microscopy. Using various applications, the images obtained allow for the 3D
reconstruction of the object and its examination from every point of view.
These techniques, which have developed since the 1980s, are a big improvement over the caliper,
the tool that had been used by anthropologists since the field began. Capturing an image is only
the tip of iceberg. The revelation of convergences and divergences in morphology, between
specimens of populations that are distant either geographically or genetically, relies on statistical
methods that take into account a whole series of extremely precise measurements: the general
shape of the skull, of the sutures, the jaws, the nostrils, the brow ridge, etc. Our head is not
composed of independent elements, what we observe in the face is directly related to the shape
of the cranium, as seen in the skulls that are intentionally deformed from birth for reasons of
ethnic identity or social status. The exception reveals the rule.
All human remains bear witness to the visible, objective variations found in human morphology.
The end goal of their study is to document our past, to reconstruct the processes of evolution and
to understand modern-day diversity in relation to environmental factors, climate and diet as well
as genetics.
Studying the morphological characteristics of populations opens the door to exploration on a
global scale, especially among the peoples of the Americas. Where were the first occupants
from? Did they come from Asia? If so, in one or several waves? When did they arrive? Facing
his screens, Martin Friess covers thousands of miles down the trail of our ancestors.
© Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle