ReViBE: protocol for Refit Visualisation of lithic reduction sequences using the Blender Engine v2

Here, we introduce ReViBE, a step-by-step protocol for visualising lithic refits through the utilisation of imaging technologies, photogrammetry, 3D modelling and Blender animation software. Lithic refittings represent high-resolution temporal sequences that shed light in cognitive, organisational and taphonomic aspects of the archaeological record, and have remained integral for the archaeological science since its inception. Despite their popularity, little work has been focused on the representation of refittings, traditionally undertaken through photography and archaeological drawing. While the use of these recording tools are widespread in the discipline, their application in refittings has limitations, as they fail to capture the three-dimensional nature of lithic reduction.
Our ReViBE protocol addresses this issue through a step-by-step procedure that combines the creation of 3D models in refittings and their animation, allowing a more dynamic visualization of lithic reduction sequences in high definition. The protocol consists of three main phases in which we explain how to perform photogrammetry on the refitted artifacts, create three-dimensional models from the captured images (e.g., Photoscan/Metashape), and finally, generate animation by reconstructing the motion of each individual piece in a temporal sequence (e.g., Blender).
Furthermore, we suggest incorporating protocols employing 3D modelling to aid in the digital visualization of material culture, enhancing the accessibility and study of archaeological heritage.