Papers by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Archaeology in Oceania, 2023
Across the Australian continent, backed artefacts are produced in enormous numbers during the mid... more Across the Australian continent, backed artefacts are produced in enormous numbers during the mid-late Holocene. Previous examinations have revealed variation in the average shape of these artefacts, at both continental and regional scales. To better understand the factors creating this variability, we examine a large assemblage of backed artefacts from Ngungara (Weereewa/Lake George), in south-eastern Australia. This is one of the few open sites in Australia which has high-resolution evidence for spatially distinct, short-term workshops. Within these well-bounded workshops both locally manufactured and imported backed artefacts are present. However, across this landscape the shape of these artefacts is not uniform; rather, similarly shaped backed artefacts are concentrated in different workshop areas. Through the analysis of backed artefacts in different workshops, we suggest that “insert copying” or the replacement of spent inserts with similarly shaped, locally manufactured artefacts creates variability in backed artefact shape.
Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, 2022
With over 200 peer-reviewed papers published over the last 20 years, 3D modelling is no longer a ... more With over 200 peer-reviewed papers published over the last 20 years, 3D modelling is no longer a gimmick but an established and increasingly common analytical tool for stone artefact analysis. Laser and structured light scanning, photogrammetry, and CT scanning have all been used to model stone artefacts. These have been combined with a variety of different analytical approaches, from geometric morphometrics to custom reduction indices to digital elevation maps. 3D lithic analyses are increasingly global in scope and studies aim to address an ever-broadening breadth of research topics ranging from testing the functional efficiency of artefacts to assessing the cognitive capabilities of hominid populations. While the impact of the computational revolution on lithic analysis has been reviewed, the impact of 3D modelling on lithic analysis has yet to be comprehensively assessed. This paper presents a review of how 3D modelling in particular has impacted the field of stone artefact analysis. It combines a quantitative bibliometric analysis with a qualitative review to assess just how "revolutionary" 3D modelling has been for lithic analysis. It explores trends in the use of 3D modelling in stone artefact analysis, its impact on the wider lithic analysis field, and methodological, regional and theoretical gaps which future research projects could explore.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2020
Ancient Egyptian shabtis have been described as mass-produced, mould-made objects. We analyse the... more Ancient Egyptian shabtis have been described as mass-produced, mould-made objects. We analyse the morphology and elemental composition of three sets of seven shabtis using 3D scanning, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and principal component analysis clustering. The morphology and elemental composition of the shabtis allow us to conclude that these object types were made with different degrees of morphological and compositional standardisation indicating different manufacturing methods. We suggest that mass-production is an oversimplified label to describe shabti manufacturing as our findings demonstrate evidence of batch-processing methods.
Authors: Michelle F. Whitford, Simon Wyatt-Spratt, Damian B. Gore, Mattias T. Johnsson, Ronika K. Power, Michael Rampe, Candace Richards, Michael J. Withford
Quaternary International
The decline and disappearance of a range of giant marsupials, reptiles and birds from the Austral... more The decline and disappearance of a range of giant marsupials, reptiles and birds from the Australian landscape during the last Glacial cycle continues to capture the imagination of both researchers and the general public. The events hinted at in the Australian fossil sequences appear to be mirrored on other continents through similar time periods, though the exact cause or sequence of extinctions remains largely unresolved. In recent years debate over megafaunal extinctions in Australia has been dominated by reports that humans were the primary drivers, leading some to assert that it is no longer a question of whether humans drove these extinctions, only how. Following the review of Wroe and Field, new reports have been published that claim support for a human-driven extinction (HDE). On closer scrutiny however, the key sites and samples lack firm contextual data and/or clear provenance. These studies fail to prove a key tenet of the HDE e that all, or even most now-extinct species were present at the time of human colonization of the continent. As compared with the easy assertion 5 years ago that this had been established, there are now more faunal species (c. 69% of total known to have become extinct) that cannot be placed within 50e100 ka of human arrival. There are still only two sites that demonstrate a coexistence of humans with some species of megafauna e Nombe Rockshelter in the PNG highlands and Cuddie Springs in the semi-arid southeast of Australia. If there is so little empirical evidence for coexistence or association of megafauna with humans, then support for an HDE through overhunting and ecosystem disruption is seriously compromised. Furthermore, the popularly cited "extinction window", proposed as c. 51e39 ka when the HDE is argued to occur, is still only a theoretical construct. There is no clear evidence indicating that this period was particularly significant in terms of faunal loss. At present, the great majority of 'Pleistocene' sites remain poorly dated and the understanding of faunal turnover through this epoch is almost non-existent. Small datasets, poorly constructed hypotheses and assertive rhetoric are the prominent features of current discussions on a human role in megafaunal extinctions. Importantly, it is yet to be established whether the extinctions are an archaeological problem. The sparse fossil record known from Australia hampers a clear resolution as to how and when the megafauna disappeared, a situation likely to continue into the near future.
Non-peer reviewed papers by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Teaching History, 2019
Models and replicas of ancient artefacts have been utilised by archaeologists and museums for tea... more Models and replicas of ancient artefacts have been utilised by archaeologists and museums for teaching and research purposes for hundreds of years. In the last twenty years the use of laser scanning, CT scanning, photogrammetry, and other forms of digital three-dimensional model-making has skyrocketed. While digital models have become increasingly commonplace, most of the methods used to make them are prohibitively expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars. One method, however, is both affordable and requires only basic training - photogrammetry. Photogrammetry not only presents an opportunity for students to actively engage with historical artefacts normally hidden away in museum storerooms, participation in this process encourages them to begin thinking about objects in a different way
Book Reviews by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Lithic Technology, 2020
The Pilbara, a biogeographic region covering 179,000 km in the north-west of Australia, is perhap... more The Pilbara, a biogeographic region covering 179,000 km in the north-west of Australia, is perhaps the most intensely archaeologically surveyed and excavated region on the continent. Most of this archaeological fieldwork is legislatively-mandated compliance work, done primarily on behalf of the resource sector. As such, publications on the archaeology of the Pilbara are scarce and most research becomes part of the grey literature, rarely read and largely inaccessible to archaeologists and the general public.
Theses by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
During the late Pleistocene Australia underwent a period of intense climatic variation culminatin... more During the late Pleistocene Australia underwent a period of intense climatic variation culminating in the extreme aridity of the Last Glacial Maximum. Analysis of stone artefacts can reveal the different technological strategies Aboriginal people adopted to cope with these conditions. The stone tool assemblage from Cuddie Springs will be used as a case study to explore what strategies Aboriginal people utilised in the arid/semi-arid zone during this period.
Conference Posters by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
National Archaeology Student Conference 2018, 2018
This poster will provide a summary of the two most common techniques archaeologists employ when m... more This poster will provide a summary of the two most common techniques archaeologists employ when making digital 3D models of artefacts – photogrammetry and laser scanning. While the models produced by each method are comparable the methods used to make them are fundamentally different. The required equipment and the workflow involved will be outlined for each method, and the pros and cons in terms of cost, time investment, difficulty and the quality of the end results will be presented.
Austalian Archaeology Association Conference, Dec 2012
Conference Presentations by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
CAA Australasia Digital Archaeology Conference, 2020
Photogrammetry is an increasingly common component of archaeological recording and analysis. In a... more Photogrammetry is an increasingly common component of archaeological recording and analysis. In a museum context, photogrammetric models provide both a new method to display objects and create interactivity within exhibits and also a tool for artefact digitisation which can democratise access to collections. In a professional context, photogrammetry has become a highly sought-after skill in complement with existing artefact management protocols. To date, though, there has been little formal discussion around the use of photogrammetric models as pedagogical tools. First-year archaeology students at the University of Sydney have traditionally been given supervised hands-on access to artefacts from the Nicholson Collection of the Chau Chak Wing Museum (CCWM) as part of their tutorials. This however excludes objects that are too fragile to be handled and also restricts student interaction with the objects to a very narrow temporal window due to the requirement that all object handling take place under staff supervision.
The New Eyes on Old Objects project was a trial digitisation initiative between the University of Sydney Department of Archaeology, Arts eLearning and Sydney University Museums that aimed to both increase student access to the collection and support its use in practical assessment tasks. Selected objects from the West Asian and ancient Mediterranean collections were digitised using a low-cost photogrammetric method. Students were initially given access to the physical objects in class and then were able to access their models online afterwards, before incorporation into object-based assessments. This paper will present the architecture of the NEOO project, staff and student reception, and the lessons we learned in its implementation. Digital accessibility, in particular, remains a challenge for projects of this sort. We argue that through the use of this relatively simple tool, archaeology departments can leverage their collections in increasingly adaptive and progressive ways.
Conferences, Symposiums, Seminars Organiser by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, 2024
3D modelling has revolutionised archaeology across multiple scales. 3D models have been used as a... more 3D modelling has revolutionised archaeology across multiple scales. 3D models have been used as an alternative to analog forms of archaeological illustration and recording, have allowed for highly accurate and complex analyses of a wide-range of archaeological material and features and have even been used to reconstruct gaps in the archaeological record. Beyond their illustrative and analytical uses, models have also been used for archiving, exhibitions, teaching, and other types of public outreach.
The rapid proliferation of 3D modelling across the different subfields of archaeology has led to a diverse array of approaches to making and using models. This diversity includes different methods of modelling (computer tomography, laser/light scanning, and photogrammetry), different scales of modelling (micro-, macro-, and terrestrial), and the different purposes that models have been used for (analysis, archiving, illustration, pedagogy, and conservation). However this has also led to a situation where the different branches of archaeology’s approaches to modelling have become increasingly siloed. Given that 3D modelling is becoming an increasingly common component in the archaeological toolkit it is important that archaeologists take stock of how the field has grown and share knowledge of the latest developments across the field.
The aim of this session is to bring these diverse perspectives on 3D modelling together. By bringing together multiple experts on archaeological applications of 3D modelling, we want to start conversations about how these different approaches to 3D modelling could be applied to different archaeological contexts. To do so, we invite submissions, with a particular focus on the following topics:
- Innovative methodological approaches to model making
- 3D modelling as a tool for documentation or illustrative landscapes, features, excavations, and/or eco/artefacts
- Case studies involving understudied archaeological material
- Novel approaches to the analysis of 3D models
- 3D modelling as a multipronged approach to archaeological analysis
- Ethical questions, such as applying FAIR Data Principles to 3D modelling, modelling human remains, indigenous data sovereignty, and repatriation of cultural materials
- Gaps in how and where 3D modelling is used, whether that be reflect socio-economic inequalities, methodological challenges, and theoretical biases
- 3D modelling as tool for teaching, conservation and public outreach
Papers in this session are not limited to a particular region or historical period. We particularly encourage contributions from students and early career researchers who wish to present preliminary results and presentations that incorporate collaboration with First Nations communities. Papers looking at methodological innovations, archaeological case studies, and theoretical issues are all welcome.
Papers can be submitted at the link below. Submissions are due 19 October 2023.
https://2024.caaconference.org/2023/09/18/call-for-papers-for-caa2024-is-now-open/
Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their Semester 1 2020 seminar series on museums, herita... more Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their Semester 1 2020 seminar series on museums, heritage, and archaeology.
Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their Semester 2 2019 seminar series on museums, herita... more Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their Semester 2 2019 seminar series on museums, heritage, and archaeology.
Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their semester 1 2018 seminar series on museums, herita... more Join the Sydney Archaeology community for their semester 1 2018 seminar series on museums, heritage, material culture and archaeology.
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Papers by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Authors: Michelle F. Whitford, Simon Wyatt-Spratt, Damian B. Gore, Mattias T. Johnsson, Ronika K. Power, Michael Rampe, Candace Richards, Michael J. Withford
Non-peer reviewed papers by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Book Reviews by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Theses by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Conference Posters by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
Conference Presentations by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
The New Eyes on Old Objects project was a trial digitisation initiative between the University of Sydney Department of Archaeology, Arts eLearning and Sydney University Museums that aimed to both increase student access to the collection and support its use in practical assessment tasks. Selected objects from the West Asian and ancient Mediterranean collections were digitised using a low-cost photogrammetric method. Students were initially given access to the physical objects in class and then were able to access their models online afterwards, before incorporation into object-based assessments. This paper will present the architecture of the NEOO project, staff and student reception, and the lessons we learned in its implementation. Digital accessibility, in particular, remains a challenge for projects of this sort. We argue that through the use of this relatively simple tool, archaeology departments can leverage their collections in increasingly adaptive and progressive ways.
Conferences, Symposiums, Seminars Organiser by Simon Wyatt-Spratt
The rapid proliferation of 3D modelling across the different subfields of archaeology has led to a diverse array of approaches to making and using models. This diversity includes different methods of modelling (computer tomography, laser/light scanning, and photogrammetry), different scales of modelling (micro-, macro-, and terrestrial), and the different purposes that models have been used for (analysis, archiving, illustration, pedagogy, and conservation). However this has also led to a situation where the different branches of archaeology’s approaches to modelling have become increasingly siloed. Given that 3D modelling is becoming an increasingly common component in the archaeological toolkit it is important that archaeologists take stock of how the field has grown and share knowledge of the latest developments across the field.
The aim of this session is to bring these diverse perspectives on 3D modelling together. By bringing together multiple experts on archaeological applications of 3D modelling, we want to start conversations about how these different approaches to 3D modelling could be applied to different archaeological contexts. To do so, we invite submissions, with a particular focus on the following topics:
- Innovative methodological approaches to model making
- 3D modelling as a tool for documentation or illustrative landscapes, features, excavations, and/or eco/artefacts
- Case studies involving understudied archaeological material
- Novel approaches to the analysis of 3D models
- 3D modelling as a multipronged approach to archaeological analysis
- Ethical questions, such as applying FAIR Data Principles to 3D modelling, modelling human remains, indigenous data sovereignty, and repatriation of cultural materials
- Gaps in how and where 3D modelling is used, whether that be reflect socio-economic inequalities, methodological challenges, and theoretical biases
- 3D modelling as tool for teaching, conservation and public outreach
Papers in this session are not limited to a particular region or historical period. We particularly encourage contributions from students and early career researchers who wish to present preliminary results and presentations that incorporate collaboration with First Nations communities. Papers looking at methodological innovations, archaeological case studies, and theoretical issues are all welcome.
Papers can be submitted at the link below. Submissions are due 19 October 2023.
https://2024.caaconference.org/2023/09/18/call-for-papers-for-caa2024-is-now-open/
Authors: Michelle F. Whitford, Simon Wyatt-Spratt, Damian B. Gore, Mattias T. Johnsson, Ronika K. Power, Michael Rampe, Candace Richards, Michael J. Withford
The New Eyes on Old Objects project was a trial digitisation initiative between the University of Sydney Department of Archaeology, Arts eLearning and Sydney University Museums that aimed to both increase student access to the collection and support its use in practical assessment tasks. Selected objects from the West Asian and ancient Mediterranean collections were digitised using a low-cost photogrammetric method. Students were initially given access to the physical objects in class and then were able to access their models online afterwards, before incorporation into object-based assessments. This paper will present the architecture of the NEOO project, staff and student reception, and the lessons we learned in its implementation. Digital accessibility, in particular, remains a challenge for projects of this sort. We argue that through the use of this relatively simple tool, archaeology departments can leverage their collections in increasingly adaptive and progressive ways.
The rapid proliferation of 3D modelling across the different subfields of archaeology has led to a diverse array of approaches to making and using models. This diversity includes different methods of modelling (computer tomography, laser/light scanning, and photogrammetry), different scales of modelling (micro-, macro-, and terrestrial), and the different purposes that models have been used for (analysis, archiving, illustration, pedagogy, and conservation). However this has also led to a situation where the different branches of archaeology’s approaches to modelling have become increasingly siloed. Given that 3D modelling is becoming an increasingly common component in the archaeological toolkit it is important that archaeologists take stock of how the field has grown and share knowledge of the latest developments across the field.
The aim of this session is to bring these diverse perspectives on 3D modelling together. By bringing together multiple experts on archaeological applications of 3D modelling, we want to start conversations about how these different approaches to 3D modelling could be applied to different archaeological contexts. To do so, we invite submissions, with a particular focus on the following topics:
- Innovative methodological approaches to model making
- 3D modelling as a tool for documentation or illustrative landscapes, features, excavations, and/or eco/artefacts
- Case studies involving understudied archaeological material
- Novel approaches to the analysis of 3D models
- 3D modelling as a multipronged approach to archaeological analysis
- Ethical questions, such as applying FAIR Data Principles to 3D modelling, modelling human remains, indigenous data sovereignty, and repatriation of cultural materials
- Gaps in how and where 3D modelling is used, whether that be reflect socio-economic inequalities, methodological challenges, and theoretical biases
- 3D modelling as tool for teaching, conservation and public outreach
Papers in this session are not limited to a particular region or historical period. We particularly encourage contributions from students and early career researchers who wish to present preliminary results and presentations that incorporate collaboration with First Nations communities. Papers looking at methodological innovations, archaeological case studies, and theoretical issues are all welcome.
Papers can be submitted at the link below. Submissions are due 19 October 2023.
https://2024.caaconference.org/2023/09/18/call-for-papers-for-caa2024-is-now-open/