Computer Aided Classification of Ceramics: Achievements and Problems.

The first aim of this project is to establish objective criteria for the definition of the form of a vessel and to create an open classification system. Secondly the main part of the classification, that is the segmentation of the profile, should be carried out on a computer aided basis. The material basis for this exemplary attempt is provided by the late-roman burnished ware from the legionary fortress of Carnuntum. The profile sections are achieved automatically by a 3D-measurement system based on structured (coded) light and two laser-technique. Classification and reconstruction of archaeological fragments is based on the profile, which is the cross-section of the fragment in the direction of the rotational axis of symmetry. The input data for the estimation of the profile is a set of points produced by the acquisition system. A function fitting this set should be constructed and later on processed to find the extrema and inflection points necessary to classify the original fragment. The one we propose is based on cubic B-splines. This paper shows a method for shape classification of archaeological fragments, which is based on the profile.