Table 5 Attributes and data recorded for each 3D scanned lithic artifact, with descriptions of each dataset column.

ID

Unique identifier for each 3D model.

Site

The archaeological site where the lithic was excavated.

Layer/Sub-layer

The stratigraphic origin of the lithic.

Raw_material

Categorization by type of raw material (e.g., chert, jasper, quartzite, limestone). In the case of Grotta di Fumane, a more detailed classification (i.e., the name of the geological formation) is provided.

Class

Broad artifact sorting (e.g., blank, core, core-tool, tool), following common classifications in lithic analysis. Cores are artifacts of any size that lack a dorsal/ventral surface but have two or more blade/bladelet/flake scars^128,144. Tools are artifacts of any size that exhibit retouch along the margins. Core-tools are artifacts that have produced bladelets but can also be classified as tools (e.g., carinated endscrapers or burin cores) following a typological classification¹⁴⁵. Blanks are flaked artifacts with both a dorsal and ventral face.

Blank

Classification of the blank into flake, blade, and bladelet categories. A blade is defined as a flaked blank whose length is at least twice its width, regardless of shape. Bladelets are defined as blades whose maximum width is less than 12 mm¹⁴⁶. The other category includes non-chipped blanks such as pebbles.

Technology

Technological classification of the blanks into categories such as initialization, maintenance, optimal, semi-cortical, and other, following Falcucci et al.¹⁴⁷ and Falcucci et al.⁹⁵

Core_classification

Technological categories for cores and core-tools (e.g., carinated, multi-platform, narrow-sided, semi-circumferential) following Falcucci & Peresani¹³¹.

Cortex

Percentage of cortex coverage (i.e., 0%, 1–33%, 33–66%, 66–99%, 100%), estimated visually.

Preservation

Breakage classification for blanks (i.e., complete, distal, mesial, proximal, and undetermined). For cores and most core-tools, preservation is marked as “other”, due to undetermined breakage.

Volume

The volume of the artifact in cubic millimeters.

Surface

The surface area of the artifact in square millimeters.

Length

Maximum length in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.

Width

Maximum width in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.

Thickness

Maximum thickness in millimeters based on technological orientation, recorded with a digital caliper.

File_list

The list of files in the dataset that correspond to this specific ID.

Model_unit

The unit of measurement used for the 3D model. When viewing the artifact in a 3D viewer that supports real-world units, this is the unit you enter into your program to ensure proper scaling. Note that this is not related to the object’s resolution, but is the value needed for accurate scaling when importing the model into your 3D program.

#_of_polygons

The number of polygons (or faces) in the 3D model of the artifact.

Avg_edge_length(mm)/Resolution

The average distance (in mm) between points on the 3D model, serving as an effective measure of the model’s resolution. Avg stands for average.

Resolution_score

A value assigned to each model, reflecting its resolution. Drawing from the full set of scans from the Open Aurignacian Project, it categorizes artifacts into four groups (i.e., ultra-detailed, detailed, moderate detail, low detail) according to their average edge length value, offering a qualitative evaluation of the model’s resolution in comparison to others in the project.

Scanner

The specific model of the scanner used to capture the 3D data of the lithic artifact (i.e., Artec Micro 1, Artec Spider 1, and micro-CT).

Scan_software

The version of the software used in conjunction with the scanner to capture the 3D data of the artifact.

Postprocessing_software

The version of the software used to execute postprocessing algorithms and generate the final 3D mesh of the artifact.

Coating

Yes/No entry specifying if coating was used for any scan.