In 2023, a tomb from the Unified Silla period was discovered in Baedong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. It was a 'stone chamber tomb' built with stones stacked from the outer edge to the inside. This tomb, left by the Silla people about 1,000 years ago, has drawn academic interest as it is evaluated as material for understanding the construction techniques of that time.
Now, two years later, this tomb has been restored into a three-dimensional model through digital recording technology. The precise reproduction of everything from the curves of the stone chamber to the texture of each brick on the screen was indistinguishable from seeing the actual site. It marks the rebirth of past heritage meeting current digital technology.
On the 3rd, during a meeting at the National Palace Museum, Lee Geon-woo, CEO of the heritage digital recording startup Carrotphant, and Seo Hyun-joo, Chief Operating Officer (COO), noted, "Digital recording is changing the way we document and preserve the past," and explained, "We can implement three-dimensional models from small artifacts like Silla period pottery to large-scale tombs."
In archaeology, measuring the structure and scale of artifacts or sites is essential. Traditional methods required a great deal of time and labor. This involved a manual process of individually measuring the length, width, and height of artifacts and then drawing lines on paper to represent them. Take the Silla period pottery 'two-spout bottle'; there are numerous dimensions to measure, from the overall shape to the openings and designs on the bottom. The two-spout bottle is a thin, flat vessel with two openings at the bottom.
Han Ji-seon, a researcher at the Korea Heritage Service National Cultural Heritage Research Institute, explained, "Even small artifacts can only be measured a maximum of two per day," and noted, "Because this is done manually, the precision inevitably varies depending on the researcher's skill level."
Lee Geon-woo and Seo Hyun-joo experienced hands-on measuring practice while majoring in archaeological art history at Dongguk University. Lee said, "During my undergraduate studies, I deeply felt the difficulties of traditional measuring methods," and added, "While pondering whether there could be a more convenient yet accurate measuring method, I decided to start a business in my second year and spent two and a half years teaching myself software engineering to develop digital measuring technology."
The software developed by Carrotphant, 'Arch3D Liner,' integrates data obtained through various methods such as photo scanning, optical scanners, and laser scanners using artificial intelligence (AI) to create three-dimensional models of artifacts. It can model small artifacts the size of a palm, as well as more complexly designed artifacts, all within 15 minutes. The three-dimensional model of the two-spout bottle observed that day accurately reproduced the uneven surface and patterns created during the pottery-making process.
The three-dimensional model can be observed by rotating it in various directions like a game character and can also be used for precise tasks such as analyzing cross-sections or checking curvature. It is possible to create a copy of lettering or designs engraved on stone or metal through a 'rubbing' process with just a click, or to extract patterns for analysis.
Carrotphant's technology received an innovation award at the CES 2025, the world's largest IT exhibition, making it the only winner in the cultural heritage category. Lee Geon-woo expressed pride, stating, "It’s a significant achievement to have our visual and image processing technology recognized beyond simple diagramming."
Currently, this technology is being tested at various sites, including the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Buyeo, Seoul National University Museum, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Naju. Lim Jong-deok, head of the National Cultural Heritage Research Institute, stated, "The cultural heritage field is facing serious labor shortages, and Carrotphant's technology could provide a practical solution to this issue," adding, "It can be applied not only to cultural heritage but also to natural heritage."
Carrotphant's software is also gaining attention overseas. Last year, it obtained international patents in Japan and Europe, recognizing its potential in the global market. Notably, Japan is a country from which Korea learned measuring technology in the past. This lays the groundwork for exporting the digital measuring technology developed in Korea back to Japan after many decades.
Lee Geon-woo noted, "Initially, we focused on cultural heritage recording, but there is significant demand in other fields such as dental model production and structural documentation at construction sites," and added, "Based on our success in Korea, we plan to expand this technology to countries around the world."