The stone fragments that are missing from the stone cultural heritage have limited use beyond being directly fitted to identify their original position, as they are relatively heavy and bulky, and there is the further risk of secondary physical damage...
The stone fragments that are missing from the stone cultural heritage have limited use beyond being directly fitted to identify their original position, as they are relatively heavy and bulky, and there is the further risk of secondary physical damage during manual work. Therefore, in this study, morphological relationships
between the missing parts and the stone fragments were identified through digital restoration, and a three-dimensional (3D) printed replica was created for use at the exhibition for Stone Buddhas in Four Directions in Hwajeon-ri, Yesan, where 72 stone fragments had been excavated together. First, for the digital restoration,
stone fragments of similar shapes were selected after the coordinates of the 3D scanning model were aligned in virtual space. In addition, the stone fragments were printed using a 3D printer to check whether they were physically related to the missing parts. Thus, the original positions of a total of nine stone fragments
were identified. To utilize these research results in the exhibition, a 1:1 replica of the Stone Buddhas in Four Directions was produced using 3D printing technology, and the nine stone fragments were also restored to their original positions. The digital technology used in this study is of great importance in that it not only made up for the limitations of the direct manual method but also suggested the possibility of expanding its application to the fields of documentation, restoration, and replication of similar cultural heritage