Combining quantitative analysis with an elliptic Fourier descriptor: A study of pottery from the Gansu-Zhanqi site based on 3D scanning and computer technology

Abstract Pottery is an important material in archaeological studies, and the accurate classification of pottery shapes largely depends on the experience and knowledge of archaeologists. In this thesis, pottery taken from the Gansu-Zhanqi site is used for sampling. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the pottery were obtained using 3D scanning, and a computer-assisted pottery typology was studied through quantitative analysis and elliptic Fourier descriptor. This method, which can enhance and supplement the traditional methods of classifying pottery in archaeology and thereby enrich the parameters and breadth of pottery analysis, represents a new means for exploring and experimenting with objective classification and provides a new tool for traditional archaeological analysis methods.