Dynamic 3D model for decoding archaeological complexity of funerary contexts. Phenomena of collapse and fragmentation in an Iron Age burial of Padua (Italy)

Abstract

Archaeological settings are intrinsically dynamic, undergoing transformations over time that significantly impact the archaeological record. These changes result from both deliberate human interventions and natural degradation processes. Post-depositional phenomena often distort our understanding of ancient contexts, complicating the identification of the original arrangement and hindering the interpretation of archaeological findings. This issue is particularly pronounced in funerary contexts, such as burials, which are susceptible to various natural and human-induced alterations. This study shows the potential of analysing funerary contexts within a processual framework and reconstructing them in a dynamic 3D environment. By employing metrically and morphologically accurate 3D reconstructions, it becomes possible to simulate, isolate, and analyze post-depositional phenomena. The precision of 3D simulation increases significantly when considering factors such as gravity. The goal of this study is to assess changes resulting from transformative phenomena, with a specific focus on creating a sequential representation that elucidates the burial's transformation processes, spanning from deposition to excavation phases.