Preliminary Results of the Integrated 3D Digitization of the Prehistoric Artifacts Exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology of the University of Catania

This paper presents the preliminary results of an in-situ three-dimensional digitization campaign carried out on 41 artifacts from the Museum of Archaeology of the University of Catania, with a particular focus on prehistoric materials representative of early Sicilian cultures. Conducted within active exhibition spaces illuminated by 5500 K LED fixtures and indirect natural daylight, the protocol employed a sequential workflow integrating structured– light scanning and calibrated photogrammetry. A single reference capture of an X-Rite ColorChecker Classic per artifact enabled the derivation of bespoke color profiles, harmonizing texture generation across varying ambient conditions. Metric scaling was achieved via coded targets in Agisoft Metashape, facilitating 1:1 dimensional reproduction and quantitative error analysis. Post–processing in Artec Studio and other specialist software refined mesh quality and chromatic consistency. These findings confirm that scientifically rigorous, reproducible digitization protocols can be effectively implemented in conventional museum environments, producing high–fidelity digital surrogates to support typological research, preventive conservation, and immersive public engagement.