Potential of 3D scanning and integrated modeling in virtual reconstruction study of excavated horse harnesses

Three-dimensional (3D) scanning and modeling technologies have become important in the research and conservation of cultural heritage. These methods enable high-resolution recording of the geometry and surface characteristics of artifacts and provide a robust digital basis for heritage conservation, research, and visualization. In this study, 3D scanning was applied to record the whole archeological remains and individual relics excavated from stratigraphic layers. Subsequently, the 3D models of individual relics were embedded into the overall 3D model, resulting to an integrated 3D model. Through this approach, dispersed horse harness ornaments unearthed from different layers were virtually reassembled, allowing for a visual analysis of the spatial relationships of the artifacts at the time of burial. On this basis, the structural arrangement of the horse ornaments was analyzed, and their functional organization within the horse harness system was interpreted. The results demonstrate the potential of stratigraphy-based 3D reconstruction for researching complex archeological assemblages.