Qubbat el hawa_project

1. Qubbat al Hawa Digital Reconstruction ProjectQubbat al Hawa Digital Reconstruction Project
The digital reconstructionThe digital reconstruction
he art and architectural elements of the Coptic Church at Qubbat al-Hhe art and architectural elements of the Coptic Church at Qubbat al-H
Elephantine AswanElephantine Aswan

2.  The data and collated information utilised in theThe data and collated information utilised in the
development of the project was originally extracted fromdevelopment of the project was originally extracted from
the Coptic Multi- Media database, instigated andthe Coptic Multi- Media database, instigated and
developed by Howard Middleton-Jones in 2007.developed by Howard Middleton-Jones in 2007.
 Additional field work by both Howard and Peter HossfeldAdditional field work by both Howard and Peter Hossfeld
was carried out in 2009 and 2010 which included awas carried out in 2009 and 2010 which included a
complete photographic high resolution surveycomplete photographic high resolution survey
 Visits to the site in February 2010 by Renate Dekker inVisits to the site in February 2010 by Renate Dekker in
conjunction with additional high resolution photographsconjunction with additional high resolution photographs
by Howard, revealed hitherto unknown inscriptions andby Howard, revealed hitherto unknown inscriptions and
wall paintingswall paintings
 Thus displaying a need to enhance and develop theThus displaying a need to enhance and develop the
project further and to ensure the site is conserved andproject further and to ensure the site is conserved and
maintained for the future of the Coptic Heritagemaintained for the future of the Coptic Heritage

3. Advantages of the Coptic Multi-Media databaseAdvantages of the Coptic Multi-Media database
•To generate a rapid ‘search and find’ criteria
•Ideal when dealing with large data generated from archaeological excavation
work and cataloguing of objects
•To locate (by elimination) ‘lost’ or ruined sites
•Data utilised to reconstruct Three Dimensional (3D) and Virtual Reality
(VR) models – use of photographic and film documentation – Ideal tool
in the preservation and conservation of Coptic sites
•Utilising GIS to overlay sites – especially in conjunction with such satellite
programmes as ‘Google Earth’
•To generate reports - an efficient way to organise and display the data
selected, offering greater flexibility and full textual analysis of a particular
section of the database.
•Extension of full (pooled) collation of resources – bibliographic references etc

12. Technical informationTechnical information
 CameraCamera
Canon Digital SLR EOS 5D Mark IICanon Digital SLR EOS 5D Mark II
21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor21.1 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS sensor
 Distance measurer;Distance measurer;
Bosch laser distance meterBosch laser distance meter
 Colour chart;Colour chart;
Kodak colour/greyscale chart 20cmKodak colour/greyscale chart 20cm
 Digital fusion 5.3post production software for composingDigital fusion 5.3post production software for composing
 Photoshop Cs4Photoshop Cs4
 Autodesk photmodelerAutodesk photmodeler
 Autodesk 3D Max 2010Autodesk 3D Max 2010

13. References and team membersReferences and team members
 Howard Middleton-Jones – Archaeologist – UK basedHoward Middleton-Jones – Archaeologist – UK based
www.ambilacuk.com/copticwww.ambilacuk.com/coptic
Peter Hossfeld – Camera, satellite technology and 3D software specialist –Peter Hossfeld – Camera, satellite technology and 3D software specialist –
Zurich basedZurich based
www.vcs.chwww.vcs.ch
Renate Dekker – Coptologist and Coptic text specialistRenate Dekker – Coptologist and Coptic text specialist
Project websiteProject website
http://www.ambilacuk.com/qubbatalhawaproject/index.htmlhttp://www.ambilacuk.com/qubbatalhawaproject/index.html

14. The futureThe future
 Utilising the high resolution imaging and rendering, it isUtilising the high resolution imaging and rendering, it is
possible to envisage the importance of this method in thepossible to envisage the importance of this method in the
conservation and preservation programmes of Copticconservation and preservation programmes of Coptic
sites.sites.
 Enabling to ‘capture’ and preserve the wall art renderingsEnabling to ‘capture’ and preserve the wall art renderings
and inscriptions in situ (using non invasive techniques)and inscriptions in situ (using non invasive techniques)
before the sands of time and erosion completelybefore the sands of time and erosion completely
eliminate these important renderings of the past.eliminate these important renderings of the past.
 Importantly, help towards a programme of virtualImportantly, help towards a programme of virtual
heritage of the important and disappearingheritage of the important and disappearing
archaeological sites in Egypt and in turn promoting thearchaeological sites in Egypt and in turn promoting the
Coptic heritage and awareness of such sitesCoptic heritage and awareness of such sites