# The role of technology

Technologies play a role within OBT&L, broadening the definition of what an object is and how it can be used. For example, 3D printing and scanning allow students to pass clay tablets and sculptures through their hands that they would not normally be allowed to touch. The (digital) 3D designs of these objects allow students to see all sides of an object that are not always visible in the gallery. In the case of 3D printed objects, it is thereby possible to touch the objects. This, in turn, provides opportunities for people with visual impairments. Replicas can also spark a conversation about the value of heritage and its replication.