University of Evansville graduate discovers ancient fingerprints on Roman relics

A 2012 graduate of the University of Evansville archaeology program, Dr. Megan Hagseth, is working with colleague Rachel Matheny to produce three-dimensional models of ceramic oil lamps owned by the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science. The two scientists work for Texas A&M University and are utilizing the lab at UE to create the models for the Uluburun Shipwreck Project. While working on the imaging, Hagseth and Matheny discovered fingerprints in the relics, giving them insight into who produced the oil lamps. The pair also held workshops on campus with current archaeology students to demonstrate how they can use equipment in the lab to understand ancient artifacts.

As described in a news release from UE, Matheny and Dr. Hagseth used DSLR cameras at different angles to capture images of the oil lamps which, when compiled, create a 3D digital image of the 2,000 year old objects. Evansville Museum Collections Manager Kamen Hillenburg, also a UE graduate, explained that the project was intended to make museum artifacts available to the public during the pandemic. 

However, as Matheny explains, the models created will also encourage global collaboration with other archaeologists. "Digital documentation and modeling with photogrammetry allow us to put the objects in the hands of specialists all over the world instantaneously. We can model an object in Indiana, and someone in Turkey can put on a virtual reality headset and hold it in their hands," she said.

The analysis of fingerprints on the oil lamps can give insight into the objects and the people who created them. "These fingerprints help connect us to the past in ways you'd never believe. Specialists can measure the distance between fingerprint ridges and their depth, determining the age and sex of the potter. We have the technology to essentially shake the hands of someone who lived thousands of years ago and that's remarkable," Hagseth explained, adding, "Even small, seemingly unimportant objects can not only connect us to humanity's shared past but also provide insight into the everyday, ordinary person. People like you and me."

While working on campus, Dr. Hagseth and Matheny were able to share their expertise with current UE students. The pair were able to give a real world example of how the equipment in the archaeology lab can help us solve mysteries of the past. As UE archaeology professor Dr. Alan Kaiser put it, "This helps to show them what the possibilities are so when they go to graduate school and they see a problem, here's a potential solution they have in their back pocket to solving that particular problem. It's very much a hands-on oriented program. We teach students computer skills to get started and equip them to uncover more on their own in their careers. There are fewer than 20 departments of archaeology in the nation, and ours is definitely one of the best because of stuff like this."

Dr. Hagseth said that the lamps will soon be analyzed by specialists who will use the finger and palm prints to create a profile of the potter that crafted them.