PREFACE
IMPLEMENTATION
This project represents a significant scientific contribution to the study and dissemination
of knowledge on the oldest wet and natural mummy in the world.
The current preservation conditions of the mummy prevent the wider public from getting close to it. This project, however, will allow an in-depth virtual contact without compromising the sensitive preservation conditions. The objective is to provide an opportunity for the public to discover and study a cultural heritage, unique in the world.
In order to ensure the greatest possible access a modern website, which does not require any type of installation or subscription fee, has been set up.
The current preservation conditions of the mummy prevent the wider public from getting close to it. This project, however, will allow an in-depth virtual contact without compromising the sensitive preservation conditions. The objective is to provide an opportunity for the public to discover and study a cultural heritage, unique in the world.
In order to ensure the greatest possible access a modern website, which does not require any type of installation or subscription fee, has been set up.
IMPLEMENTATION
The project was implemented in 5 steps:
- Design
- Labs tests
- Mummy preparation
- Photographic scan
- Graphic processing
To enable the perfect visualization of the body details the mummy underwent carefully
preparatory procedures: a delicate superficial defrosting was implemented outside
of the preservation cell where the body is normally kept.
To optimize time and procedures intensive preparatory work was conducted in a purpose-built laboratory in which various types of simulations were tried out.
In order to carry out the photographic scanning a special aluminium and steel cabinet was created to replicate the reduced spaces of the decontamination cell in which the shooting was effected.
Due to the highly specific conditions in which the mummy's body is preserved working at a temperature of -6°C, the shooting had to be carried out in just 48 hours. Intense and careful preparatory work was thus required before proceeding.
Each single element making up the photographic equipment was thoroughly examined to verify its efficacy in these highly specific environmental conditions. The decision to use an large format camera with digital camera back, special macro-lens, laptops and low-thermal emission flashes proved to be the right one.
Almost 800 scans were necessary to map the whole body. The numerous images were then processed with software to enable their visualization.
To optimize time and procedures intensive preparatory work was conducted in a purpose-built laboratory in which various types of simulations were tried out.
In order to carry out the photographic scanning a special aluminium and steel cabinet was created to replicate the reduced spaces of the decontamination cell in which the shooting was effected.
Due to the highly specific conditions in which the mummy's body is preserved working at a temperature of -6°C, the shooting had to be carried out in just 48 hours. Intense and careful preparatory work was thus required before proceeding.
Each single element making up the photographic equipment was thoroughly examined to verify its efficacy in these highly specific environmental conditions. The decision to use an large format camera with digital camera back, special macro-lens, laptops and low-thermal emission flashes proved to be the right one.
Almost 800 scans were necessary to map the whole body. The numerous images were then processed with software to enable their visualization.
Copyright - © EURAC - Institute for Mummy Studies
