Photogrammetry versus 3D scanner: producing 3D models of museums’ artifacts Hashem Mohammad Khries German Protestant Institute of Archaeology, Amman, Jordan Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to help archaeologists, museums’ curators and technicians in understanding the principle of using the photogrammetry and 3D scanner for the museum archaeological objects in a practical way by presenting specific examples for both methods. Another purpose is to evaluate the performance offered by the photogrammetry and the three-dimensional (3D) scanner device, with the aim of providing a suitable solution to the different shapes and sizes of the archaeological objects. Design/methodology/approach – The author used the camera Canon EOS 1300 D for photographing and Einscan Pro 2X Plus as a 3D scanning device for several years on different kinds of objects made of various materials, including ceramic, stone, glass and metal. Findings – This paper showed that both approaches create 3D models with high resolution in easy and different ways. Practical implications – Handling objects and preparing them for photographing or scanning has involved a number of caveats and challenges regarding the risk of damage that the author had to bear in mind. Originality/value – This paper is completely based on the author’s personal experiences of creating 3D image of various objects in the project of Documentation of Objects in the Jordanian Archaeological Museums. Keywords Archaeology, Photogrammetry, 3D scanner, 3D modeling, Museology, Photoscan Paper type Technical paper Introduction In cultural heritage studies, three-dimensional (3D) of an object is a fundamental, practical and convenient step. It is a process that starts from data acquisition, then converting a measured point cloud into a network “mesh” or textured surface and ends with a 3D virtual model on a computer (Remondino and El-Hakim, 2006, p. 269). Photogrammetry and 3D scanning technologies are used to replicate an object to be used for several purposes digitally, including documentation in case of loss or damage, visualization, carrying out analysis for the restoration of the archaeological objects and printing 3D replicas (Brutto and Meli, 2012, p. 1). In 2017, a four-year cooperation project of the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology and the Department of Antiquities of Jordan called the “Documentation of Objects in the Jordanian Archaeological Museums,” abbreviated as DOJAM was started. The project aimed at protecting the cultural heritage of Jordan by documentation, registration and digitization of the archaeological objects in the Jordan Archaeological Museum at the Amman Citadel. One part of the DOJAM project, however, is creating photorealistic 3D models of selected objects; both displayed and stored in the storages. Several precautions concerning the protection of the object must be taken into consideration before preparing it for photographing or scanning. The most prominent threat to any object is the physical damage during moving an object. Therefore, careful object handling is an essential skill that a curator or conservator shall develop to minimize the potential damage on the objects. Object must not be carried by its handles or other protruding parts (e.g. handle or spout of a jar or jug), but from the bottom and the side. Large and heavy objects should be moved with the help of a movable table or a heavy load trolley (Roy and Perry, 1994, pp. 12–16). There is no simple do and don’ts for the short-term movements and each situation must be assessed independently. It should be checked if the object is very fragile or some parts are broken off. The curator or conservator should carry the object with both hands (Miles, 1992, pp. 455–458). It is recommended to wear gloves for the protection of the objects, especially the metal ones (Caple, 2012). Photogrammetry Photogrammetry is part of the image-based modeling, of which uses projective geometry to convert 2D images into 3D model (Nister, 2004; Pollefeys et al., 2004). Camera calibration is an essential component of photogrammetry measurements. A The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2514-9326.htm Collection and Curation 40/4 (2021) 153–157 © Emerald Publishing Limited [ISSN 2514-9326] [DOI 10.1108/CC-06-2020-0021] The author would like to express his sincere thanks to the Gerda Henkel Foundation, the funder of the DOJAM project, of which funded their project with cutting-edge tools and technologies. He would also like to thank the Project Manager, Dr J. Häser, and the Director of the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology in Amman, Dr Katharina Schmidt, to facilitate training on objects in the institute. Hashem Mohammad Khries appreciates the efforts of the curator of the Jordan Archaeological Museum, Mr Taher al-Gonmeen, for his help and facilitating preparing objects for photographing and scanning. Received 24 June 2020 Revised 21 November 2020 Accepted 28 December 2020 153