Russian Student Builds AI Platform to Analyze Ancient Pottery
The project blends archaeology and digital technology to speed up artifact research and preserve cultural heritage.
A graduate student from Ufa University, Nikita Markelov, has received a national “Student Startup” grant to develop Russia’s first AI-powered digital platform for analyzing ancient ceramics. The system will merge traditional archaeological methods with advanced digital tools to dramatically cut research time and address the shortage of specialized labs across the country.
Where History Meets Technology
The study of ancient pottery offers key insights into how cultures evolved — but the process requires expert training, complex lab work, and specialized equipment. Markelov’s platform aims to make that process faster and more accessible.
The system will combine digital microscopy, trace analysis, and a muffle furnace capable of heating up to 1,000°C, allowing researchers to study ceramic composition and production techniques in detail.
If successful, the platform could become a model for how AI and digital forensics can modernize archaeology — turning centuries-old fragments into rich sources of data about the past.
