Preserving Endangered Cultural Heritage Through 3D Scanning. The Case of the Banqueting Tokens from Palmyra, Syria

Abstract

The dataset presented here are the first ever 3D scans and models of the so-called banqueting tesserae from Palmyra. These clay tokens were used as entrance tickets to religious banquets hosted by Palmyrene priests. Today more than 1300 different types are known. These tokens have been collectors’ items since the late 19th century, coinciding with the beginning of systematic archaeological work at the site. Today, the tesserae are spread across the world in public and private collections. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen holds a collection of 92 tesserae of which we present five 3D-scanned examples here.

Keywords

• 3d scanning
• 3d modelling
• roman palmyra
• near eastern cultural heritage
• small finds
• tesserae
• religious banqueting tickets