Scannatura
Scannatura is a term used in Italian-language discourse to denote the practice of digitizing physical objects, particularly within libraries, archives, museums, and conservation laboratories. It refers to the process of creating high-resolution digital records of manuscripts, prints, maps, artifacts, or natural history specimens through scanning, photography, or a combination of imaging techniques. The aim is to improve access, support preservation, and enable scholarly analysis while minimizing handling of delicate originals. In practice, scannatura can involve various modalities, including high-resolution flatbed or overhead scanning, multispectral imaging, photogrammetry, and 3D scanning, chosen according to the object and research goals.
Etymology and scope: The term derives from the Italian verb scannare, meaning to scan, with the noun-forming
Usage and considerations: Scannatura encompasses both the operational workflow and the resulting digital assets, including images,
See also: Digitization, digital imaging, archival digitization, metadata standards, 3D scanning, multispectral imaging, photogrammetry.