Zhuo Jia
PhD
Cultural Conservation
I’m a cultural materials conservator and researcher interested in how 3D imaging and AI can help archaeologists work more safely and efficiently with fragile objects. After completing a Master of Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne, I now focus on photogrammetry-based documentation and AI-assisted virtual reassembly of pottery, with a strong emphasis on careful handling, clear documentation, and practical tools that conservators can use at the bench.
Thesis
From Prototype to Practice: A field-ready, AI-assisted system for the virtual reassembly of archaeological pottery
This thesis builds and tests a practical, AI-assisted system to help conservators virtually reassemble real, worn pottery sherds using 3D models. It combines existing algorithms in a single, easy-to-use workflow that speeds up finding and checking possible joins but always leaves final decisions to the person with the sherds in hand. The work compares computer metrics with conservation checks like thickness and rim continuity, and includes user testing, clear logging and careful, clearly labelled generative completion to support safe, transparent use in everyday lab work.
Research interests
- Photogrammetry
- Conservation
- Archaeology
- Computer vision
- Digital ethics