Recently, Arch-I-Scan welcomed Dr Tatiana Tyukina to the project as an honorary team member in Mathematics. She is bringing to the project her expertise, particularly in mathematical modelling, and we are so pleased to have her on board. As a means of brief introduction, Tatiana has answered some questions about herself and her role on the project.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your research?
I have worked at the University of Leicester for many years. After obtaining my master’s degree (with distinction) in Control Theory and Information Technologies, I spent 5 years in the Perceptual Dynamics Laboratory, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan. The main thrust of my research in that lab was the dynamics of perception.
This experience developed and shaped my research interests in Mathematical Modelling, Artificial Neural Networks and Computer Vision. Since then, I focused on the dynamics of adaption which eventually became the core theme of my PhD thesis in Mathematics.
When did you begin your role on the Arch-I-Scan project?
I joined the project this past spring (2022) as an honorary research associate.
Are you working on other projects in addition to your role on Arch-I-Scan?
Currently, I am a Teaching Fellow in the University of Leicester School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.
What kinds of tasks are you doing as part of your role on the Arch-I-Scan project? Is there anything in particular which you’ve been working on recently?
I am developing an automatic/semi-automatic tool for diameter estimation of ceramic vessels from the photos of their sherds.
What other work have you done previously which relates to what you are currently doing for Arch-I-Scan?
I was involved in several projects with industrial partners on the theme of object detection and recognition. For example, as a member of the team from University of Leicester and Synoptix company, I developed a prototype device for traffic analysis and control of level crossings. At the current stage, Synoptix is performing real time testing of the device on the level crossing near Cheltenham: https://le.ac.uk/news/2022/january/ai-level-crossing
What are your thoughts on applying machine-learning technology to Roman pottery? What are you most looking forward to in terms of project outcomes?
I hope that the tool which I am working on will be welcomed by archaeologists as this will assist estimation and registration of whole vessel sizes from sherds. Knowing the size of ceramic tablewares not only helps to identify a class of the vessel but also ultimately allows researchers to monitor changes in artefacts as they relate to social life and habits in ancient times.
Do you have much background knowledge about pottery or Roman archaeology?
My background is quite far from Roman archaeology, but I like to read history books, which could not be written without discoveries of archaeologists and historians.
Arch-I-Scan 
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