LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth (El Fayoum)
Lead Research Organisation:
Nottingham Trent University
Department Name: Sch of Archit Design and Built Env
Abstract
Hawara is an ancient cemetery site in the south-eastern Fayum region, about 80km south of Cairo. It is the burial place of Amenemhat III, the last great king of the 12th dynasty (about 1855-1808 BC). To the south of the pyramid the Pharaoh constructed a large cult complex (approximately 120 metres by 300 metres), in which the Pharaoh was worshipped as a god for over 1500 years. The huge mortuary temple that originally stood adjacent to this pyramid is believed to have formed the basis of the complex of buildings with galleries and courtyards called a "labyrinth" by Herodotus. In Late Antiquity, the complex was considered as one of the wonders of the world. Despite its historical significance, there have never been clear drawings or details of the labyrinth layout or structure.
Due to sustained irrigation water flow under the pyramid and labyrinth site, the archaeological site has become abandoned and is exhibiting signs of severe deterioration. This water flow has developed over the past century with the water level now approximately 5 meters below the topographic surface, and about 7 meters above the lower corridor level. There is an international effort to implement a sustainable conservation strategy and dewatering of the site. It is imperative to understand the level of underground water table, using remote sensing to record water levels and thermal conditions of the acquifer material and hydraulic properties within the chambers and in the Pyramid substructure. There is an urgent need to document and diagnose existing condition and use the latest Virtual Heritage Technologies to produce scenario conservation and recovery models, before any conservation or dewatering work can commence.
This 36-months innovative research project offers a breakthrough in the development of state-of-the-art virtual reality interface and repository platform that not only records and documents existing site conditions for interactive visualisation, but more importantly will incorporate structural, thermal and water data within the computerised virtual environment. The outcome of this typological model will feed into the assessement of different scenarios of conservation activities and its potential impact, in advance of implementation. The project team will undertake comprehensive investigative research, and analysis of the site's archaeological records using innovative virtual heritage technologies that will: a) conduct accurate 3D Cloud-point to laser scan and digitally survey, record and model existing conditions of the site; b) utilise state-of-the-art geophysics underground surveys to detect, analyse and model the labyrinth's spatial layout and its water table; c) develop a state-of-the-art interactive virtual platform that integrates remote sending indicators and dataset; d) develop virtual reality experience of the site, as well as mobile app for the site's history and navigation.
This project is developed in partnership with the UNESCO Chair at the University of Florence and the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Egypt. It focuses on the use of state-of-the-art laser scanners, and virtual heritage modelling techniques to develop an integrated and interactive model of the site (underground, aboveground and airborne). This comprehensive data set/model will act as a platform for identifying issues, decision making and mapping the dewatering and implementation of the conservation work.
Due to sustained irrigation water flow under the pyramid and labyrinth site, the archaeological site has become abandoned and is exhibiting signs of severe deterioration. This water flow has developed over the past century with the water level now approximately 5 meters below the topographic surface, and about 7 meters above the lower corridor level. There is an international effort to implement a sustainable conservation strategy and dewatering of the site. It is imperative to understand the level of underground water table, using remote sensing to record water levels and thermal conditions of the acquifer material and hydraulic properties within the chambers and in the Pyramid substructure. There is an urgent need to document and diagnose existing condition and use the latest Virtual Heritage Technologies to produce scenario conservation and recovery models, before any conservation or dewatering work can commence.
This 36-months innovative research project offers a breakthrough in the development of state-of-the-art virtual reality interface and repository platform that not only records and documents existing site conditions for interactive visualisation, but more importantly will incorporate structural, thermal and water data within the computerised virtual environment. The outcome of this typological model will feed into the assessement of different scenarios of conservation activities and its potential impact, in advance of implementation. The project team will undertake comprehensive investigative research, and analysis of the site's archaeological records using innovative virtual heritage technologies that will: a) conduct accurate 3D Cloud-point to laser scan and digitally survey, record and model existing conditions of the site; b) utilise state-of-the-art geophysics underground surveys to detect, analyse and model the labyrinth's spatial layout and its water table; c) develop a state-of-the-art interactive virtual platform that integrates remote sending indicators and dataset; d) develop virtual reality experience of the site, as well as mobile app for the site's history and navigation.
This project is developed in partnership with the UNESCO Chair at the University of Florence and the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Egypt. It focuses on the use of state-of-the-art laser scanners, and virtual heritage modelling techniques to develop an integrated and interactive model of the site (underground, aboveground and airborne). This comprehensive data set/model will act as a platform for identifying issues, decision making and mapping the dewatering and implementation of the conservation work.
Planned Impact
The proposed research programme is designed to bridge the disparate arenas of largely isolated research disciplines, creative industry, skill training, and job creation in Egypt that is urgently needed. This programme identifies new territories for research, studies and courses focused on heritage preservation, through overlapping disciplines such as geology, geophysics, virtual technology, thermal modelling and laser scanning. Association with Hi-Tec Industry, research institutions and VR laboratories in the UK will offer long term support for research centres and academic institutions, as well as to start-ups and SMEs that will shift research landscape in Egypt towards more applied and practice-led research. Furthermore, it is anticipated that there will be impact on research communities through engagement with organisations, universities and institutes on one side and research policy, decision makers and government agencies on the other. The workshops are designed to foster such engagement with stakeholders and beneficiaries to advance the discourse on the necessity, applications and market-driven technologies of virtual heritage.
As part of our previous project, Virtual Heritage Cairo (AHRC 2016-17), we supported the establishment of five innovative and award-winning virtual heritage start-ups, and produced the first Government Policy Document, "Managing Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age. Collectively we managed to influence the policy maker's views on the significance of virtual technologies in building sustainable platforms for heritage conservation in Egypt. In a continuation of that approach, this proposal designed a range of strategies to influence stakeholders' understanding of and investment in digital and virtual technologies that help alleviate many of the destructive implications of un-tested methods heritage preservation. Workshops with stakeholders would influence formal approach and policy decisions on sustainable tourism as a consequence of preservation work.
The local community is a major beneficiary of this project's activities with planned impact on tourist accessibility to the site, either physically or virtually and the associated socio-economic impact. The establishment of a community-led "Friends of Hawara" charitable organisation will help sustain the project's impact on the tourism industry and associated services. It will also support the economy and business opportunities for low income and vulnerable groups. This will be achieved through training 150 local young people, university and school students on crowdsourcing data for online tourism information.
The research programme will also contribute to the establishment of specialist Virtual Heritage Research Unit (VHRU) at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) and training a group of 50 archaeologists, geophysicists, software engineers and architectural historians, and 10 Ph.D./Masters students on the developed model and techniques for similar sites in Egypt. The project will involve graduate courses in Heritage Digitisation at Egyptian Universities and Nottingham Trent University, with 30-40 prospective graduates over a five-year period.
As part of our previous project, Virtual Heritage Cairo (AHRC 2016-17), we supported the establishment of five innovative and award-winning virtual heritage start-ups, and produced the first Government Policy Document, "Managing Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age. Collectively we managed to influence the policy maker's views on the significance of virtual technologies in building sustainable platforms for heritage conservation in Egypt. In a continuation of that approach, this proposal designed a range of strategies to influence stakeholders' understanding of and investment in digital and virtual technologies that help alleviate many of the destructive implications of un-tested methods heritage preservation. Workshops with stakeholders would influence formal approach and policy decisions on sustainable tourism as a consequence of preservation work.
The local community is a major beneficiary of this project's activities with planned impact on tourist accessibility to the site, either physically or virtually and the associated socio-economic impact. The establishment of a community-led "Friends of Hawara" charitable organisation will help sustain the project's impact on the tourism industry and associated services. It will also support the economy and business opportunities for low income and vulnerable groups. This will be achieved through training 150 local young people, university and school students on crowdsourcing data for online tourism information.
The research programme will also contribute to the establishment of specialist Virtual Heritage Research Unit (VHRU) at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) and training a group of 50 archaeologists, geophysicists, software engineers and architectural historians, and 10 Ph.D./Masters students on the developed model and techniques for similar sites in Egypt. The project will involve graduate courses in Heritage Digitisation at Egyptian Universities and Nottingham Trent University, with 30-40 prospective graduates over a five-year period.
Publications
Kamali Tabrizi S
(2024)
Contemporary construction in historical sites: The missing factors
in Frontiers of Architectural Research
Francesca Giliberto
(2021)
USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO INNOVATE IN HERITAGE RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
Title | STRATA: Layered Histories, Imagined Futures |
Description | This exhibition reveals the hidden histories of towns, cities and landscapes, and within them the stories of people and communities - how they have lived over the decades, centuries and millennia. Based on the ongoing research of NTU's Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage, led by Professor Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem, STRATA Exhibition made full use of creative art and digital technologies to dig deep into the layers of history found in the built environment. The Exhibition covers three key areas: First: The life and times of the Lace Market - a thriving, ever-changing area in Nottingham city centre. It showcased a Thousand Years of historic evolution and attachment between people's histories and their architecture. Second: Travelling through space and time to 840 BCE Egypt and the wonders of the Hawara Pyramid and its labyrinthine complex. Scans and surveys conducted over recent years have charted the original layout of this ancient archaeological site, helping us to understand why the pyramid was built and where the artefacts discovered there were originally placed. Third: Through Reconstructing recent layers of Nottingham Castle, a Creative work and animated artwork was developed by digital Artist, Bruce Asbestos, based on Professor Abdelmonem and team's research and digital documentation of the Castle. The Exhibition used digital technology, digital art, short films and documentaries that cross space and time and engage public audience in unique experience. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | The 40-Days exhibit was very popular with thousands of visitors, and was a key contributor to the high visitor numbers in Nottingham Castle Galleries in its new shape. This Exhibition and its online popularity lead to several invitations from Australia and China for virtual exhibition displays which took place during November 2021 (Sydney) and December 2021 (Beijing). Our Research Team developed further digital displays to engage public audience in Ahmedabad in India This Exhibition has also led to the agreement on further exhibitions in Nottingham to display the Centre's research work at the Lake Side Art Centre (May-June 2022), as a companion to the British Museum's Ancient Iraq Exhibition. |
URL | https://museumsofthefuture.com/strata-the-exhibition |
Title | TOUCHING THE UNTOUCHABLE in GLOBAL HERITAGE |
Description | This exhibition used digital technology to provide a combination of virtual reality and walk through experiences of ancient historic sites like, the Hawara Pyramid in Egypt, and its virtual reconstruction, as well as walk through Nottingham Galleries. It also included a series of digital displays and virtual tours of Old Markets in Mosul. The display was virtual due to COVID-19 and hence the audience were introduced to online material and virtual tours. We have followed a creative process to reproduce physical and tangible exhibits to online displays. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | This was the first time our work and creative outputs were put on display for Australia and specially academics specialised in digital and virtual heritage in this part of the world. |
Title | Touching the Untouchable |
Description | This exhibition will be displayed at Nottingham Castle as part of is re-opening after a large-scale refurbishment. Working with a local Nottingham digital artist, the exhibition will use digital technologies to create an interactive exhibition that will feature the ongoing work of the Labyrinth Project. The exhibition will uncover layers of historical narratives of community history for a number of local and international heritage sites. These include: Local History, including Nottingham Castle and Lace Market (Nottingham, UK); and International element: Lost Heritage of Hawara Pyramid-Egypt and old-Mosul-Iraq. The display will include 3D Virtual display of the historic sites, their VR Versions, with overlaid displays of individual narratives and interviews of either local communities (audio/video) and artefacts from each site. The purpose of the exhibition to develop intangible connections between art, heritage and technology, in an all virtual display of layers of history. The curation for the exhibition is underway with members of the Labyrinth project ream leasing with the local artist about the content of the exhibition. The Castle was schedule to re-open in March 2012, however, due to the impact of the Covd-19 pandemic, this has now been delayed. The exhibition will now be open to the public in August 2021.The exhibition will also be a part of the IASTE 2021 international conference which is being hosted by NTU in Autumn 2021. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Impact | The exhibition was due to open in March 2021 to coincide with the re-opening of the refurbished Nottingham Castle, however, due to the impact of Covid-19this has now been delayed to August 2021. It is hoped the the exhibition will bring the work of the Labyrinth project and the history of the site of Hawara to the attention of wider audience. |
Title | Virtual Hawara |
Description | The LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth Project developed and implemented an evidenced-based strategy and action plan to inform the sustainable preservation of the endangered archaeological site using digital technologies. This exhibition displays a series of ground-breaking virtual modelling, historic layers and inventive interactive tours across time and space. The Exhibition displayed scans of the pyramid and labyrinth area and 3D digital models of the site created for conservation and preservation purposes. This exhibition provided novel ways to foster tourism by increasing global awareness of the site and its historical and archaeological significance. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | Virtual Hawara Exhibition Date: 28-30 March 2022; Venue: Grand Nile Tower Hotel, Cairo, Egypt This Exhibition is the first of its kind in showcasing methods and techniques of virtual heritage technology in translating scientific analysis into virtual journeys into a historic environment that has been reconstructed to a realistic atmosphere of ancient times. It also provided the first master plan and tourism developemnt plan for the heritage site accompanied by the pioneering Virtual Hawara Museum Design Scheme. This Exhibition was accompanied by a Policy Event in which the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt, the Egyptian Exploration Society, The British Council in Egypt, and Newton Musharafa were represented and participated in the displays and discussions. This led to advancing the decisions of the Ministry to place Hawara Pyramid's preservation and site Tourism Development plan as a priority agenda and securing funding for the immediate construction work to dewater the site and develop its tourist infrastructure. |
URL | http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/47140/ |
Title | Virtual Hawara Museum |
Description | Virtual Hawara Museum and Master Plan is a visionary design scheme and master plan for the Hawara Heritage Site, its landscape, museum and visitor centre that will become a major regional tourist destination in Egypt. The visionary design is a creative output of the research process and links the site's future to its past histories and archaeology. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | The provided artwork helped policymakers understand the exceptional and strategic importance of the site to the archaeology and tourism development of Middle Egypt and its credentials to increase tourism footprint and income whilst offering the novel and unprecedented experiences of a major ancient site where Ancient and Greco-Roman Egypt evolved and closely linked. This resulted in advancing the national government's focus and investment in Hawara's conservation and development as a national priority, with the adoption of the design as key to the site development is key to its future planning. |
URL | https://virtualhawara.com/virtual-hawara |
Description | The Project is reaching its final conclusion and outcome, with a number of publications produced, dewatering plans developed and Tourism plan proposed. Since last submission, We have continued to work remotely but effectively with out local partners in Egypt. This update includes the following: 1. We have completed our field survey and remote-sensing stations on site, collecting data for up to 9-12 months, with analysis completed. 2. Our digital reconstruction of the historic site has reached full fruition based on further archaeological and historic evidence. 3. We worked with local partners to develop further plans for the site development that include a plan for the Hawara site to act as a Central Regional Tourism Hub for the Middle Kingdom with novel Virtual Hawara Museum and Visitor Centre. This was further development from our March 2021 report as below: Following the intensive desk-based research, focus on the digital modelling, geophysics and environmental analysis, a number of findings started to emerge. Whilst, it is too early to confirm those findings whilst work is still in progress, some objectives are being met. Those could be summarised as below: 1. Laser scanning of the Pyramid showed a number of irregularities due to the nature of the soft material composition of the mud-brick of which the Pyramid mass was built. 2. Underground water was coming to the pyramid from the East and North direction, filtering westwards. 3. Following a number of measures to strop water filter into the site, and installing water level sensors, underground water is considerably receding in a promising signs on the effectiveness of implemented measures. 4. Detailed archaeological surveys navigated large number of artefact collections and destinations that are associated with the site and its history. 5. Database of the site's archaeological, heritage, cultural practices and artefacts are currently under construction in collaboration with the Ministry's archaeologists, local partners (NRIAG) and collaborating museums. |
Exploitation Route | Update: Over the past 12 months (Mar 2021-Mar 2022), we worked on the findings and conclusions of the research project. Those include: 1. Based on the analysis of underground water flows and changing patterns and behaviours we managed to identify the direction through which underground water penetration the site and the appropriate measures to manage them gradually. Plans were presented to the Ministry of Antiquities and action on site will follow. 2. The outcome of our historical and non-intrusive archaeological survey of the site, we have identified a large set of database of collections and artefacts that both link the site to international museums, but also to evidence of previous structures on site. 3. Analysing the link between the Hawara Pyramid and its subsequent settlements, we identified patterns of cultural overlaps and shared practices that continued through Ancient and Romans Egypt domestic and mortuary structures. 4. We have developed virtual and interactive reconstruction of the site based on historic and archaeological evidence that managed to challenge some of the Petrie's original assumptions. 5. We have developed a series of principles to follow for the sustainable preservation and development of the site as a regional touristic hub that will enrich both the local communities's economy activities, enterprises whilst becoming a regional educational and skill development centre. |
Sectors | Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | http://www.virtualhawara.com |
Description | Our findings and project outcomes has been shared with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities team in Egypt, who are following our evidence-based strategy for preserving teh site. We have organised the first policy-engagement event with both the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, as they both collaboratively share our research findings and outputs. Those are on the following aspects: 1. Safeguarding and protecting the Hawara Pyramid site from further damage. Detailed dewatering plan has been developed and will be implemented during 2022. 2. Virtual Hawara Platform and Database has been Developed, providing a novel landscape of the Site's archaeology and vast collections. This is underway as online resource and mobile App. 3. Sustainable development plan for the site and local stakeholders and communities has been development and will be adopted by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 2022 for action plan. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Policy & public services |
Description | Monforte: Winter Solstice Seminar on Heritage Intervention - |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Description | 'A sustainable re-construction method for seismic-prone heritage areas of India based on advanced recording technologies' |
Amount | £203,201 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/V00638X/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Virtual Heritage Futures: Navigating virtual technologies, creative industries and AI for cultural heritage in the UK and China |
Amount | £79,970 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/W00948X/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2022 |
End | 02/2023 |
Description | [Heritage, Dignity and Violence] Preserving the Disappearing Cultural Heritage of Post-War Mosul, Iraq |
Amount | £299,409 (GBP) |
Funding ID | HDV190216 |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2019 |
End | 05/2023 |
Title | Infrared digital model of the Hawara Pyramid |
Description | The NTU Research Team undertook a field trip to the site of Hawara, Egypt in March 2020. During this field trip infrared, humidity and temperature readings were taken of the pyramid over a three day period. These readings were taken in order to provide data for the overall conservation and water management scheme of the flooded site. These readings have been used to create a 3D model which visualises the changing temperature and humidity variations within the pyramid. It is hoped that the data collected will assist with the conservation scheme which is in development for the site of Hawara. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | At present this model will be used to help with the development of the flood water management and pyramid conservation scheme. The impact from this model will be part of the overall conservation scheme which is in development for the site of Hawara. |
Title | Virtual Hawara Database |
Description | Database of archaeological and historical material relating to the pyramid and labyrinth of Hawara. This information will provide a contextual background for the conservation and eventual development of the archaeological site. Collation of the database is ongoing. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Collation of data is ongoing |
Description | Hawara Partnership: Collaboration on the Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of Hawara Pyramid |
Organisation | Ministry of State of Antiquities |
Country | Egypt |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | This Partnership has evolved over a number of few years through working together with the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt with focus on the development and implementation of a strategy and action-plan to inform the sustainable preservation of the endangered archaeological site of Hawara using digital and virtual Technologies. This partnership have developed a number of research activities and innovations that aim to limit the impact of increasing hydrogeological threats, underground water table and continuous deterioration of the structural integrity of the pyramid and its associated labyrinth. |
Collaborator Contribution | In collaboration with centres of excellence, archaeologists, specialists in virtual and augmented reality, architects, and heritage professionals from the UK and Egypt, this partnership has developed and implemented a series of innovative techniques to study, investigate and record the current conditions of the Hawara Pyramid, with close support and supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities. These include an inclusive understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of digital surveying, archiving and modelling of cultural as well as built heritage. The main partners (NRIAG and NTU) have hosted knowledge sharing workshops (one in the UK and another in Egypt). The UK workshop, 'Smart Heritage Preservation', was attended by delegates from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, including representatives from the Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt and the Mayoralty of Baghdad. Work is ongoing. |
Impact | Draft Research Report: '> LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth - Historical and Archaeological Background'. - Ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Hawara Partnership: Collaboration on the Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of Hawara Pyramid |
Organisation | National Research Institute Of Astronomy & Geophysics |
Country | Egypt |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | This Partnership has evolved over a number of few years through working together with the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt with focus on the development and implementation of a strategy and action-plan to inform the sustainable preservation of the endangered archaeological site of Hawara using digital and virtual Technologies. This partnership have developed a number of research activities and innovations that aim to limit the impact of increasing hydrogeological threats, underground water table and continuous deterioration of the structural integrity of the pyramid and its associated labyrinth. |
Collaborator Contribution | In collaboration with centres of excellence, archaeologists, specialists in virtual and augmented reality, architects, and heritage professionals from the UK and Egypt, this partnership has developed and implemented a series of innovative techniques to study, investigate and record the current conditions of the Hawara Pyramid, with close support and supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities. These include an inclusive understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of digital surveying, archiving and modelling of cultural as well as built heritage. The main partners (NRIAG and NTU) have hosted knowledge sharing workshops (one in the UK and another in Egypt). The UK workshop, 'Smart Heritage Preservation', was attended by delegates from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, including representatives from the Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt and the Mayoralty of Baghdad. Work is ongoing. |
Impact | Draft Research Report: '> LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth - Historical and Archaeological Background'. - Ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Hawara Partnership: Collaboration on the Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of Hawara Pyramid |
Organisation | Nottingham Trent University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This Partnership has evolved over a number of few years through working together with the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt with focus on the development and implementation of a strategy and action-plan to inform the sustainable preservation of the endangered archaeological site of Hawara using digital and virtual Technologies. This partnership have developed a number of research activities and innovations that aim to limit the impact of increasing hydrogeological threats, underground water table and continuous deterioration of the structural integrity of the pyramid and its associated labyrinth. |
Collaborator Contribution | In collaboration with centres of excellence, archaeologists, specialists in virtual and augmented reality, architects, and heritage professionals from the UK and Egypt, this partnership has developed and implemented a series of innovative techniques to study, investigate and record the current conditions of the Hawara Pyramid, with close support and supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities. These include an inclusive understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of digital surveying, archiving and modelling of cultural as well as built heritage. The main partners (NRIAG and NTU) have hosted knowledge sharing workshops (one in the UK and another in Egypt). The UK workshop, 'Smart Heritage Preservation', was attended by delegates from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, including representatives from the Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt and the Mayoralty of Baghdad. Work is ongoing. |
Impact | Draft Research Report: '> LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth - Historical and Archaeological Background'. - Ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Hawara Partnership: Collaboration on the Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of Hawara Pyramid |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This Partnership has evolved over a number of few years through working together with the Ministry of Antiquities in Egypt with focus on the development and implementation of a strategy and action-plan to inform the sustainable preservation of the endangered archaeological site of Hawara using digital and virtual Technologies. This partnership have developed a number of research activities and innovations that aim to limit the impact of increasing hydrogeological threats, underground water table and continuous deterioration of the structural integrity of the pyramid and its associated labyrinth. |
Collaborator Contribution | In collaboration with centres of excellence, archaeologists, specialists in virtual and augmented reality, architects, and heritage professionals from the UK and Egypt, this partnership has developed and implemented a series of innovative techniques to study, investigate and record the current conditions of the Hawara Pyramid, with close support and supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities. These include an inclusive understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of digital surveying, archiving and modelling of cultural as well as built heritage. The main partners (NRIAG and NTU) have hosted knowledge sharing workshops (one in the UK and another in Egypt). The UK workshop, 'Smart Heritage Preservation', was attended by delegates from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, including representatives from the Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt and the Mayoralty of Baghdad. Work is ongoing. |
Impact | Draft Research Report: '> LABYRINTH: Conservation, Analysis and Virtual Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth - Historical and Archaeological Background'. - Ongoing. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | 'Recording Hawara Pyramid' Knowledge Exchange and Working Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The Knowledge Exchange and Working Group has organised two workshop programmes in Egypt at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) in Egypt and on site, to work with local professionals and researchers on best techniques, facilities and testing methods used to record and survey the Pyramid and its surrounding zones. The Project partners (NTU and NRIAG) in coordination with the Ministry of Antiquities have arranged two Fieldwork Missions on site to support these training and exchange activities. Methods decided and data shared agreed during those workshops. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
Description | Center of Virtual Intelligence in Cultural Heritage Workshop - November 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Virtual workshop held on the 3rd November 2020 by the Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage at NTU in partnership with the School of Art and Design at the Beijing Institute of Technology, China. The main focus of this workshop was to discuss how history, archaeology, art, heritage and culture can be preserved using virtual technologies. The project work undertaken at the Hawara pyramid was used and an example and was at the forefront of this discussion. The knowledge transfer and discussion that took place during the workshop was the first step in the curation of the Centre of Virtual Intelligence in Cultural Heritage, which will be a joint initiative between NTU and the Beijing Institute of Technology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | HeritageCAVE: Cloud-based Virtual Intelligence in Cultural Heritage |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Public Talk to the Chinese University Museums Association on our World Leading Applications of Virtual Technology for Cultural HEirtgae Preservation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | International Virtual Seminar: "DISRUPTIVE TRADITIONS: The Pandemic and its impact on traditional built environments" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | IASTE 2020 VIRTUAL SEMINAR "DISRUPTIVE TRADITIONS: The Pandemic and its impact on traditional built environments" SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5th 2020 | VIRTUAL EVENT 14:00-16:00 GMT In Collaboration with the International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE), Professor Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem (PI) has hosted and co-chaired the Live Symposium with four international seminal scholars and practitioners who debated the discourse on the post-pandemic city and the development of virtual traditions in heritage and built environments. The Symposium brought together a series of talks from disciplines such as ancient history, digital media, contemporary design, and cultural heritage, and we designed the agenda to help us develop a better understanding of what this pandemic means to the future of our cities and heritage. The symposium was part of the international research collaboration of Professor Abdelmonem as a development of our research projects network on virtual and digital heritage. It was co-hosted by the Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Global Heritage (CAUGH) and Nottingham Trent University and attended by over 250 audience from across the globe land both IASTE and NTU's research network and membership. This event is the first virtual IASTE Symposium and part of the planning for the IASTE2021 International Conference: Virtual Traditions", which is co-organised ,hosted and chaired by Professor Abdelmonem and connected to our research projects. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://iaste.org/virtual-events-2/ |
Description | International Workshop: "Smart Heritage Preservation for Endangered Heritage Sites in the Middle East" - Nottingham Trent University, 2-4 July 2019. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Using the 'Labyrinth: Conservation, Analysis and Virtural Reconstruction of the Archaeological Site of Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth' Project as the primary case study this international workshop discussed strategies, practices, skills and technologies that can protect, develop and sustain heritage sites and assets for future generations. The use of online platforms, virtual exhibitions and digitization of heritage is ever increasing and the virtual reality models of historic sites are becoming a main tool to engage with distant and remote heritage locations. With delegates from the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Egypt; the Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt; the Mayoralty of Baghdad; the Department of Antiquities in Jordan; Jordanian University of Science and Technology; UNESCO; Durham University and the University of Leeds, the workshop was designed to investigate suitable strategies and practical methods to use smart and digital technologies to research, record, document and analyses heritage sites, structures and their histories. The workshop brought together experts and researchers in heritage conservation, archaeologists, historians, visualisation, virtual technology, museums and user engagement to present and debate the future of user engagement with museums histories, collections and art galleries in the online, mobile context. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Kyenote Address: "Virtual Heritage Futures: Navigating Virtual Technologies, Creative Industries and AI for Cultural Heritage in the UK and China", |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This is the biggest National Museum Directors Forum in China, Attended by over 200 participants representing all Museums in China. The talk showcased our work to the Museums and cultural heritage sector in China, building a global and international profile for our research and its outreach. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Newton Fund- British Council in Egypt - Special Panel Interview: Heritage Preservation in Egypt |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Organisers: Newton-Mosharafa Fund and British Council In Egypt Title: Preserving Heritage in Egypt: Communicating findings from Newton Mosharafa Fund research 10th February 2021; 1400-1530 (Cairo time) Brief outline of the event: "Egypt's cultural heritage is not only central to the identity of the country but has an important and on-going impact on national social welfare and the economy. Prior to the uprising in 2011, tourism in Egypt's was the largest industry and used to be its biggest employer. Years after the unrest and a mega health crisis, the sector has shown significant vulnerability. The current challenge is to design new ways to support the negative impacts of a long fragile sector and to create new opportunities for cultural protection and conservation. The Newton Mosharafa presents two pieces of research to address this challenge through digital heritage preservation and archaeological skill capacitation." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Project Knowledge Exchange and Working Group - August 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The Project Knowledge Exchange and Working Group has organised a workshop in Egypt at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) on 10th August 2020. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the NTU based research team attended the workshop virtually. Present were the he Project partners (NTU and NRIAG), representatives of the Fayoum government, representatives and the Egyptian Ministry and Antiquities and Tourism, and the head of Middle Egypt Administration. The ongoing work of the project was presented by members of the NTU and NRAIG research teams to the members of the Egyptian government present. Methods decided and data shared agreed during those workshops. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Project website - Virtual Hawara |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Creation of the project website, www.virtualhawara.com. This website is the virtual home and the public facing platform for the ongoing work of the project. The website will be updated as work progresses on the project. It has been written to be accessible to both members of the public and academics interested in the site of Hawara. A blog about the site of Hawara and its legacy has been set up on the website which will be written by members of the research team and also by members of the local Fayoum community. The 'Friends of Hawara' section of the website is envisaged to be a platform for discussion and debate, where members of the research team, academics, museum curators, members of the public and residents of the Fayoum region can share and discuss information relating to the project and the archaeological site. The website will also be used to encourage visitors to visit the pyramid and to advertise the work of local residents and artists which is relevant to the site. It is hoped the the website will increase the outreach and impact of the work of the project to a wider global audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.virtualhawara.com |
Description | UNESCO UK National Commission Conference [Heritage and Our Sustainable Future] - Special Panel of Digital Heritage Technologies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Panel Title: "USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO INNOVATE IN HERITAGE RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE" Friday 26th February 2021 | 10:00 - 12:00 (GMT) This is special panel organised by the UNESCO-K National Committee in collaboration with PraxisResearch team at the University of Leeds, as part of the International Conference: "Heritage and Out Sustainable Future". This cross-cutting session explores ways to maximise the use of digital technologies to innovate in heritage research, policy and practice for sustainable development. How can we use digital technologies to provide new ways to engage with different forms of heritage and amplify marginalised voices? How can digital technologies be used to better-inform the decision-making process? What kind of future research, practical actions, and multi-level and multi-sectorial partnerships are needed? Formed with three leading experts in the field, each of the Speakers led with a series of research projects and innovations through their work, before a series of participants were divided into 3 panels of debates and discussions. The Panel was attended with an in excess of 170 people from across the globe. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://nomadit.co.uk/heritage-and-our-sustainable-future/index |