A theoretical approach to the application of 3D technology in anthropology museums

This thesis examines the unprecedented difficulties facing anthropologists and\ud anthropology museums in the twenty-first century. It focuses on three-dimensional (3D)\ud technology as a promising tool, not just a novelty or gimmick, in anthropology museums.\ud These ideas grow in the shadow of the curation crisis and the inability for many\ud institutions to meet the challenges facing them in their daily operations. This project\ud proposes that the only solutions for such crises will come from tools that are applicable to\ud multiple museum operations, grounded in museum theory, and accessible for even the\ud smallest of museums. Three-dimensional (3D) technology, specifically 3D object scans\ud and virtual exhibitions produced through readily available open source programming,\ud could help many museums meet the challenges involved in the curation crisis and other\ud contemporary issues in anthropology and museums. This project includes original work with the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology collection and a community survey\ud as examples of the benefits of 3D technology in cultural heritage management.CSU, Chic