3D Scanners are portable, phenomenally quick and can be used with objects of various sizes. There’s no need to move scanned items or to place markers on the object. These are the advantages that make our 3D Scanners an indispensable tool in the preservation of the world’s cultural heritage.

Digital repatriation is an aspect of heritage preservation work that has gained increasing popularity due to its effectiveness in assisting indigenous communities in connection with museum collections located at various institutions around the world. It is not an alternative to physical repatriation; rather, the two can be used in conjunction, especially with the incorporation of 3D technology.

3D supports the decolonization of preservation and documentation practices, as 3D models and point clouds can remain with the institution, with permission from the origin’s community, while the original physical piece can be repatriated. Due to 3D technology’s capability to render detailed models, it is possible to highlight groups of items, perhaps scattered around the world in real life, as an intellectual unit not only as masterpieces in their own rights but also as powerful and articulate representations of their origin communities and cultures.

Recasting digital repatriation in this light allows for perceiving it as a complementary method to, and a possible step toward, physical repatriation. Sharing 3D models with origin communities within the larger framework of a collaborative project disseminates information and raises awareness about the existence of previously unknown artifacts. Using the newly generated information to enrich digital repatriation platforms increases communication among collections, institutions, and local communities.