3D models are a useful tool in studying ancient landscapes, architecture and objects. Popularly used in outreach projects, to breathe life back into ancient ruins or present museum objects to an online public, digital reconstructions can also help with a wide range of research objectives, from spatial to visual and iconographical analysis.
Photogrammetry is the technology of creating 3D models of objects or scenes based on 2D photographs. It can be a quick and easy way for archaeologists to record data and perform analysis off-site. Also, it can be used to gain a better understanding of museum objects and tomb iconography.
Environments
Objects
Sketchfab
Virtual Tours
Tutorials
Photogrammetry workshop
A tutorial I gave in 2019 at the International Congress for Young Egyptologists in Leiden using Agisoft Metashape Standard.
Object photogrammetry for archaeology
Skills course organised by Archon / 4D research Lab.
3D landscape visualisation in Blender
Skills course organised by Archon / 4D research Lab.
3D Modeling Software
Blender – Free software.
Unreal Engine – Popular game engine, used for staging, architecture and lighting.
SketchUp – 3D design software.
Photogrammetry Software
Agisoft Metashape – Often used by archaeologists.
Autodesk ReCap Pro – High end, most expensive.
Meshroom – Free software.
3DF Zephyr – User-friendly workflow.
Books
- R. Lucarelli, J. Roberson and S. Vinson (eds), Ancient Egypt, New Technology: The Present and Future of Computer Visualization, Virtual Reality and Other Digital Humanities in Egyptology (2023).
- Elaine A. Sullivan, Constructing the Sacred: Visibility and Ritual Landscape at the Egyptian Necropolis (2020).
- Peter Der Manuelian, Digital Giza: Visualizing the Pyramids (2016).
Papers
- F. Monnier, Scientific Reconstruction of the Palace of Amenhotep III at Malqata, in: Peter Lacovara (ed.), Studies on The Palace of Amenhotep III at Malqata (2023).
- A. Mandelli, C. Gobeil, C. Greco and C. Rossi, Digital twin and 3D documentation of a Theban tomb at Deir al-Medina (Egypt) using a multi-lenses photogrammetric approach, ISPRS (2021).
- F. Luisa Lori and C. Rossi, 3D contour detection: a non-photorealistic rendering method for the analysis of Egyptian reliefs, Antiquity 94 (2020).
- L. Serrano Lara, A method against obsolence of 3D archaeological collection. Two case studies from Qubbet el-Hawa, Albahri 6 (2020), 5-27.
- A. T. Mozas-Calvache, J. L. Pérez-García, J. M. Gómez-López, J. L. Martínez de Dios, and A. Jiménez-Serrano, 3D models of the QH31, QH32, and QH33 tombs in Qubbet el-Hawa (Aswan, Egypt), ISPRS (2020).
- A. Mandelli, L. Perfetti, F. Fiorillo, F. Fassi, C. Rossi, and C. Greco, The digitalization of ancient Egyptian coffins: A discussion over different techniques for recording fine details, ISPRS (2019).
- H. Franzmeier and S. Hageneuer, From the Nile Delta to Karlsruhe: Or How to Present Mud Bricks in an Exhibition, CIPEG Journal 1 (2017), 15-26.
- M. Nabil, M. Betrò, and M. Metwally, 3D reconstruction of ancient Egyptian rock-cut tombs: The case of M.I.D.A.N.05., ISPRS (2013).