Makes - Bust of Nefertiti - Real 3D-SCAN

The model presented in this project is based on a high-resolution, full-color 3D scan of the Bust of Nefertiti. The original artifact is housed at the Neues Museum, and its digital counterpart was not publicly accessible for a long time.

The data was obtained through a nearly three-year Freedom of Information effort led by researcher and digital cultural heritage advocate Cosmo Wenman. This effort represents not only a technical achievement, but also a significant milestone in making cultural heritage more accessible.

The resulting 3D scan consists of approximately 6.4 million polygons, offering an exceptional level of detail. This allows the artifact to be studied, reproduced, and reinterpreted even outside its physical setting.

The work presented on this page is derived from processing and optimizing this dataset, followed by physical production through 3D printing. During the painting and finishing stages, particular care was taken to remain faithful to the original appearance of the artifact.

You can access the original scan data and detailed documentation via the following link:

For full context, licensing details, and the background of how this data was obtained, it is strongly recommended to read the Summary section on the original project page:

→ Original 3D scan and files (Cosmo Wenman archive)

This project demonstrates that digital fabrication technologies are not merely technical tools, but powerful means of democratizing access to knowledge—provided that the context behind the data is preserved and understood.