Photogrammetry and Computer Graphics in archaeology: application on some terrestrial and underwater archaeological sites in the city of Alexandria, Egypt

In Alexandria-Egypt, CEAlex (Centre d’etudes Alexandrines) conducted the first scientific underwater excavations in 1994 on the submerged site of the remains of the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria near Qaitbey fort. In 2014, for the first time in Egypt, the center launched a 3D underwater photogrammetry data-gathering program to obtain a Digital Surface Model of the submerged site of the lighthouse, and a 3D model of some of its artifacts.

In this talk, digital heritage specialist and digital archaeologist Mohamed Abdelaziz will present the result of land- and underwater-based 3D reconstruction and documentation projects by the Center, including the capturing of entire archaeological sites, the virtual anastylosis (re-erection) of sculptural fragments of statues recovered from the sea, and new methods for viewing visible and (previously) invisible details of archaeological objects.