A robot has successfully reassembled shattered murals from the ancient city of Pompeii, marking a significant advancement in the use of AI and robotics in archaeology.
Robot Successfully Reassembles Ancient Pompeii Artifacts
Innovative Technology for Archaeology
The robot was developed by researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany. It uses AI and robotics to reassemble broken artifacts, which is typically a time‑consuming task for archaeologists. The project is part of an EU initiative called RePAIR, which aims to use AI and robotics to address archaeological challenges.
The robot has two arms and uses algorithms to pick and place individual fragments of the artworks with precision. A 3D‑scanning system was developed to convert the shattered pieces into digital images, which an AI‑powered model then uses to identify how the pieces should fit together.
Trial in Pompeii
The project was trialed in the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, which houses paintings that were shattered during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The project involved several partners, including the Italian Institute of Technology, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Ben‑Gurion University of the Negev, and the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon.
Future Applications
The team hopes to use the robot and its underlying AI system to reassemble works of art and architecture from around the world. This groundbreaking project demonstrates the potential of AI and robotics in preserving and restoring cultural heritage.
