Comparison and deformation analysis of five 3D models of the Paleolithic wooden point from the Ljubljanica River

The article describes the comparison and analysis of five 3D models of the hunting tool from the Ljubljanica River found near Sinja Gorica. The 40,000 years old Palaeolithic point, discovered by underwater archaeologists during a preventive archeological survey, was made out of yew wood. Five 3D models of the point were taken over the period of ten years, two before and three after the conservation process. The comparison of the 3D models serves two purposes. The primary goal is to evaluate the changes of the artifact that occurred during this period and, specifically, to compare its shape before and after the treatment. Conservation of waterlogged wood is still a delicate and somewhat uncertain process in regards to the long term survivability of such artifacts. The second goal is to asses which software tools are currently available for such comparison, what are technical problems that need to be addressed, and how to effectively present or visualize the sometimes small but critical changes of shape.