Pasado y futuro de los archivos de imágenes en arqueologíael ejemplo de las colecciones del Museo de Penmarc’h (Finistère, Francia)

Abstract

Image archives are essential for the study of the history of archaeology and museology. They are exceptional by its documentary value, but also by its fragility and the limitations imposed by its two-dimensionality (as opposed to the analytical potential offered by the archaeological object). In this context, the image collections from the Museum of Penmarc’h (Finistère) and from the Laboratoire d’Anthropologie at the University of Rennes1 in France are being the object since 2007 of a process of inventory, digitisation and research. This is an exceptional ensemble of more than 135 000 images about French prehistory and archaeology, spanning from the 18th century to ca. 1995. In this paper we will discuss the value, management and analysis of these collections. We will pay special attention to the innovative application of 3D modeling (digital photogrammetry) to these collections, a procedure which is allowing us to obtain fresh data from objects and sites currently inaccessible or destroyed.