Puzzling Tombs: Digital Reconstruction of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom Governors' Cemetery at Dayr al-Barsha

Doctoral thesis, not yet officially published.

"The rock tombs at Dayr al-Barshā rank among the most important monuments of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1700 BC). However, due to ancient quarrying and looting, this provincial elite cemetery is now in a dilapidated state. The puzzle of partially in situ architecture grows every year as hundreds of decorated blocks surface in excavations, but the fragmented state of the remains currently prohibits an in-depth study. As physical reconstruction is often impossible, the remains will be digitally reconstructed using cutting edge 3D acquisition techniques. Registration and integration algorithms will improve the puzzle-solving success by means of a semi-automatic, interactive 3D environment that will also allow for alterations as new elements surface. With this applied science tool, fundamental research questions about the evolution of the cemetery and the use life and decoration of its tombs will be addressed. It will also serve as an aid for heritage preservation in an environment threatened due to the changing political climate in the Middle East."