{"id":3153,"date":"2024-04-27T14:46:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-27T18:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/?p=3153"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:59:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:59:09","slug":"resurrecting-the-ancient-a-3d-printed-chinese-oracle-bone-finds-a-new-home-at-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/uncategorized\/resurrecting-the-ancient-a-3d-printed-chinese-oracle-bone-finds-a-new-home-at-williams\/","title":{"rendered":"Resurrecting the Ancient: A 3D-Printed Chinese Oracle Bone Finds a New Home at Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"

When students in <\/span>ASIA 325 \/ ARTH 325: The Arts of the Book in Asia<\/span><\/i> walk into class, they are greeted by an object that feels both ancient and cutting-edge: a 3D-printed replica of a 3,000-year-old Chinese oracle bone. What they may not realize is the complex and fascinating journey that brought this piece into their classroom, a story of international collaboration, digital preservation, and creative craftsmanship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The 3D-printed replica.<\/p><\/div>\n

From Oracle to Object<\/b><\/h2>\n

Using open-access scans from the Cambridge University Library, and with permission from Professor Dominic Powlesland, who co-holds copyright with Cambridge, the team downloaded and processed a high-resolution 3D model of Oracle Bone CUL.52.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have any oracle bones on campus, and it wouldn\u2019t be ethical to acquire one. But thanks to digital tools and Cambridge\u2019s generosity, we can still bring one into students\u2019 hands,\u201d said Anne Peale.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"3D<\/a>

3D print ready for resin.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The etchings after resin.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n

From Data to Artifact<\/b><\/h2>\n

The project\u2019s journey from digital file to physical artifact unfolded in several stages:<\/span><\/p>\n