#assessingpalmyra

[iconem]

Discover the monuments we digitized for #AssessingPalmyra project: interactive resume of all our work.

Estimated reading time: 5 min.

Discover below a summary of our work on the monuments of the#Assessing Palmyra project : the door of the temple of Bel, the roman theater and the tetrapylon

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[iconem]

#AssessingPalmyra: il modello 3D del tetrapilo per documentare e conservare la memoria di un sito culturale di importanza mondiale

Tempo stimato di lettura:  3 min.

In collaborazione con la DGAM, siamo stati a Palmira per studiare lo stato di conservazione dei monumenti prima e dopo gli attacchi dei militanti dell’ISIS.

Nel caso del tetrapilo, come per il teatro Romano, l’elaborazione di un modello 3D dettagliato è stata possibile grazie alla documentazione fotografica raccolta sul sito dopo la distruzione del monumento.

Al contrario, il modello 3D del tetrapilo nella sua integrità non è stato elaborato da Iconem ma dal progetto New Palmyra Project, i quali ringraziamo per il magnifico lavoro.

Sketchfab Viewer API example

Switch between April 2016 and April 2017 var iframe = document.getElementById( 'api-frame' ); var version = '1.0.0'; //var urlid = '240f716462b8408ea7c4f3e9966e954f'; //'82b74a33787341f8881aec33c933a6f0'; var urlid = 'c17bc13761904764a7ab21e8d02b75f5'; var client = new Sketchfab( version, iframe ); var theApi; var show_before = true; client.init( urlid, { success: function onSuccess( api ){ theApi = api; api.start(); api.addEventListener( 'viewerready', function() { console.log( 'Viewer is ready' ); Util.SwitchBeforeAfter(); } ); }, error: function onError() { console.log( 'Viewer error' ); } } ); var Util = { getNodeMap: function(theApi) { theApi.getNodeMap( function( err, nodes ) { if ( !err ) { console.log( nodes ); } } ); }, ShowMeshByPattern: function(theApi,pattern,doshow) { theApi.getNodeMap( function( err, nodes ) { if (err) { console.log('Error getting nodes'); return; }; var keys = Object.keys(nodes); //the node array is a set of numbered objects. Here we get an array of keys to those objects var isOption; for (var n = 0; n < keys.length; n++) { var node = nodes[keys[n]]; //show or hide the meshes which match the pattern isOption = node.name && (node.name.indexOf(pattern) !== -1) && (node.type === 'MatrixTransform'); if (isOption) { if (doshow) { theApi.show(node.instanceID); }else{ theApi.hide(node.instanceID); } } } }); }, SwitchBeforeAfter: function() { before_name = 'Avant'; after_name = 'Apres'; if (true) { if (show_before) { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Avant', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Apres', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'OUTLINE', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Modelisation_Tetra', true); } else { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Avant', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Apres', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'OUTLINE', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Modelisation_Tetra', false); } } else { if (show_before) { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, before_name, show_before); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, after_name, show_before); } else { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, after_name, !show_before); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, before_name, show_before); } } show_before = !show_before; } } console.log('util defined');

Tutti i crediti per il modello 3D prima della distruzione sono del New Palmyra Project (Licenza creative commons, CC0). 

Fotografie a livello del suolo e centinaia di immagini aeree scattate dal drone hanno permesso di crerare una dettagliata riproduzione digitale del monumento.

Questo modello rappresenta in primo luogo una documentazione dei beni culturali sia nella loro interezza che nello stato alterato: una nuova fonte storica da trasmettere a future generazioni secondo gli obbiettivi del progetto #AssessingPalmyra.

In secondo luogo è uno strumento di supporto agli esperti per effettuare decisioni che riguaradno il restauro del documento. Il tetrapilo è oggi quasi interamente distrutto (per maggiori informazioni vi rimandiamo al primo post sul Tertrapilo, arte e contesto storico recente) ed è quindi di estrema importanza poter osservare il monumento com’era antecedentemente alla guerra. E’ cosi’ che dal modello 3D possiamo risalire a informazioni molto importanti, sia architettoniche che artistiche.

Questi nuovi strumenti per conservare la memoria del patrimonio in pericolo sono essenziali anche per rendere l’arte e la sua storia più accessibili: essi permettono infatti di ossevare e godere dei beni culturali che si trovano in luoghi non più accessibili fisicamente (come le zone di conflitto).

[iconem]

#AssessingPalmyra: the 3D model of the tetrapylon to save and document the memory of a world cultural heritage site

Estimated reading time: 3 min. Lien vers la version française Versione italiana

In partnership with the DGAM, we’ve been in Palmyra to investigate the state of conservation of monuments before and after the attacks.

In the case of the tetrapylon, as with the roman theatre, the elaboration of a detailed 3D model has been made possible thanks to the visual documentation collected when we were in Palmyra with the DGAM after the destructions of the monuments by Daesh...

The 3D model of the Tetrapyla before destruction was not made by Iconem but by the New Palmyra Project. We deeply thank them for their amazing job.

Sketchfab Viewer API example

Switch between April 2016 and April 2017 var iframe = document.getElementById( 'api-frame' ); var version = '1.0.0'; //var urlid = '240f716462b8408ea7c4f3e9966e954f'; //'82b74a33787341f8881aec33c933a6f0'; var urlid = 'c17bc13761904764a7ab21e8d02b75f5'; var client = new Sketchfab( version, iframe ); var theApi; var show_before = true; client.init( urlid, { success: function onSuccess( api ){ theApi = api; api.start(); api.addEventListener( 'viewerready', function() { console.log( 'Viewer is ready' ); Util.SwitchBeforeAfter(); } ); }, error: function onError() { console.log( 'Viewer error' ); } } ); var Util = { getNodeMap: function(theApi) { theApi.getNodeMap( function( err, nodes ) { if ( !err ) { console.log( nodes ); } } ); }, ShowMeshByPattern: function(theApi,pattern,doshow) { theApi.getNodeMap( function( err, nodes ) { if (err) { console.log('Error getting nodes'); return; }; var keys = Object.keys(nodes); //the node array is a set of numbered objects. Here we get an array of keys to those objects var isOption; for (var n = 0; n < keys.length; n++) { var node = nodes[keys[n]]; //show or hide the meshes which match the pattern isOption = node.name && (node.name.indexOf(pattern) !== -1) && (node.type === 'MatrixTransform'); if (isOption) { if (doshow) { theApi.show(node.instanceID); }else{ theApi.hide(node.instanceID); } } } }); }, SwitchBeforeAfter: function() { before_name = 'Avant'; after_name = 'Apres'; if (true) { if (show_before) { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Avant', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Apres', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'OUTLINE', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Modelisation_Tetra', true); } else { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Avant', false); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Thetra_Apres', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'OUTLINE', true); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Modelisation_Tetra', false); } } else { if (show_before) { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, before_name, show_before); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, after_name, show_before); } else { Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, after_name, !show_before); Util.ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, before_name, show_before); } } show_before = !show_before; } } console.log('util defined');

All credit for the 3D model of the Tetrapyla before destruction goes for New Palmyra Project (Licence Creative Commons, CC0)

Ground pictures and several hundreds of drone pictures allowed to craft a very detailed digitization of the monument. This model represents first of all a documentation of the cultural heritage in its integrity and degraded, to be transmissed to future generation according to the main aim of #AssessingPalmyra project.

Secondly, it is a scientific tool that support experts in making appropriate decisions about the restoration of the monument. Since the monument is now almost entirely destroyed (see The tetrapylon, third focus of #AssessingPalmyra project) it’s essential to have the possibility to observe it as it was before the attacks to recompose it. Indeed, from the 3D reconstruction we can get very important information, both architectural and artistic.

This kind of new tools to save endangered heritage memory are of outmost importance even because they make heritage accessible: they let people see cultural heritage that today is destroyed or located in inaccessible places (with the tetrapylon for instance, we’re dealing with both circumstances).

[iconem]

Le tétrapyle, troisième volet du projet #AssessingPalmyra 

Temps estimé de lecture : 4 min.

Le tétrapyle de Palmyre est un exemple magistral de la maîtrise architecturale romaine. Le monument est de forme carré, chaque coin étant composé d’un groupe de quatre colonnes. 

Image 1 : vue aérienne du tétrapyle. Photographie drone.  

Chaque groupe de colonnes supporte une corniche sculptée. Généralement, les tétrapyles avaient une entrée sur chaque coté de la structure: une configuration idéale pour être située aux carrefours des voies.

Image 2 : détail des colonnes du tétrapyle.

De fait, à Palmyre, nous retrouvons ce monument au point d’intersection entre la via pretoria et la via principalis, laquelle dans sa partie plus occidentale s’allongeait jusqu’au mur du temple d’Allat.

Image 3 : Vue du tétrapyle depuis une voie à colonnades

Les tétrapyles pouvaient avoir une structure simple ou plusieurs structures indépendantes. Par exemple, un autre tétrapyle très connu se trouve dans la ville de Jerash en Jordanie.

Image 4 : le tétrapyle de Jerash, Jordanie (II c BCE).

A Palmyre, le monument avait été restauré en1963 par la Direction Générale des Antiquités et des Musées. Ainsi, une seule de ses seize colonnes était originale. Le monument a été détruit en janvier 2017. Deux ensemble de colonnes sont complètement abattus et deux autres sévèrement endommagés.

Image 5 : photographie de drone prise en janvier 2017.

Grâce à la DGAM, Ionem s’est rendu sur le site avant et après les destructions, afin de collecter une énorme quantité de documentation visuelle.

Exploitant une solide documentation composée d’images au sol et d'images drones, nous avons commencé à construire le modèle 3D du tétrapyle pour montrer sa structure d’origine, documenter avec précision les altérations et sauver sa mémoire pour les générations futures..

Après le théâtre de Palmyre, le tétrapyle est un autre monument numérisé par Iconem pour suivre les objectifs du projet #AssessingPalmyra.

[iconem]

The tetrapylon, third focus of #AssessingPalmyra project

Estimated reading time: 4 min. versione italiana lien vers la version française

The tetrapylon of palmyra is a good example of roman architectural mastery. It was a monument of 16 columns, consisting of a square platform whose corners were surmounted by a tight grouping of four columns.

Image 1: the tetrapylon from aerial view. Drone picture.

Each of the four groups of pillars supported a solid cornice.  Generally the tetrapyla (its plural form) had a gate on each of the four sides of the cube: the perfect shape to be placed in crossroads.

Image 2: particular of the tetrapylon columns.

Indeed, this monument was the point of intersection between via pretoria and an orthogonal street called via principalis, that in its northern part reached the perimetral wall of the Temple of Allat. The tetrapylon of Palmyra represented a monumental entrance to the city.

Image 3: the tetrapylon viewed from the columed via.

They could be a single structure or multiple, separate ones. For instance, another important tetrapylon with a different structure is the one at Jerash in Jordan.

Image 4: the tetrapylon at Jerash, Jordan (II c BCE).

It was reconstructed after 1963 by the Directorate of Antiquities of Syria, that replaced fifteen of the sixteen columns with new ones, leaving only an authentic column standing. The monument has been damaged in January, 2017. Two of the four groups of four pillars are now completely destroyed with the other two groups severely damaged.

Image 5: drone picture taken in January, 2017. 

In partnership with the DGAM, we’ve been in Palmyra before and after the destructions of the site, being in this way able to collect an enormous amount of visual documentation.

Exploiting the data (ground pictures, drone pictures) we started building the 3D model of the tetrapylon to show its original structure, to localize every alteration/destruction after the attacks, and to save its memory for future generations.

After the Roman theatre, the tetrapylon is another endangered monument that we digitized according to the aims of #AssessingPalmyra project.

[iconem]

#AssessingPalmyra: quantificare le alterazioni del teatro romano dopo gli attacchi.

tempo stimato di lettura: 4 min.

Durante tre campagne di studio sul sito di Palmira (due nel 2016 e una nell’Aprile 2017) il team ICONEM é riuscito a raccogliere una quantità di dati sufficiente a rappresentare una documentazione scientifica.

Le ortofotografie raccolte mostrano il monumento da ogni prospettiva. Grazie ad esse è possibile illustrare lo stato dell’edificio prima e dopo gli attacchi.

Figura 1 & 2. Orthophotografie: visione aerea del teatro prima e dopo gli attacchi.

Immagine 3. riproduzione 3D del teatro dopo gli attacchi, visto dall’alto.

Immagine 4. riproduzione 3D del proscenio dopo gli attacchi.

Immagine 5 & 6. Ortofotografie: lato destro del teatro prima e dopo gli attacchi.  

Immagine 7 & 8. Ortofotografie: parte frontale del teatro prima e dopo gli attacchi.

[iconem]

#AssessingPalmyra: quantifying alterations of the Roman Theatre after the destructions.

Estimated reading time: 4 min. Versione italiana

The documentation collected in site during the three investigation campaigns lead by ICONEM team (two in 2016 and the last one in April 2017) allowed to build a scientific documentation composed by technical pictures..

.. in this case orthophotographs, showing each side of the theatre structure. The pictures below are then coupled to show the same side before and after the attacks: the most visible alteration in the second pictures is the destruction of the facade.

Picture 1 & 2. Orthophotographs: aerial vision of the theatre before (upper) and after (lower) the attacks.

Picture 3. 3D rendering of the theatre after the attacks seen from above.

Picture 4. 3D rendering of the theatre cavea and stage wall after the attacks.

Picture 5 & 6. Orthophotographs: right side of the theatre before (upper) and after (lower) the attacks.

Picture 7 & 8. Orthophotographs: front of the theatre before (upper) and after (lower) the attacks.

[iconem]

#AssessingPalmyra: 3D model of the Roman theatre, the second monument we reconstructed after the attacks in Palmyra 

Estimated reading time: 3 min.       versione italiana 

The second focus of our investigation #AssessingPalmyra is the Roman theatre of Palmyra, a building dating back to the Severan period (II century BCE). Contrarily to the Temple of Bel, of wich only the entrance door survived to the destructions inflicted by Daesh, the theatre has not been completely destroyed.

However, during the second occupation of the militants in December 2016, the facade has been severly damaged and now many ruins are laying down in the middle of the theatre. 

In order to assess the conservation state of the monument, Iconem and the DGAMS carried out two field surveys in 2016 and one in April 2017. The resulting 3D model is both a way to save the memory of this cultural heritage and a valuable tool to study the actual conditions of its damaged structure. 

In the same window of the model below, it is possible to observe the structure as it was before the attacks and how it is now (just by clicking on the switch button beneath). In addition, we colored in red the areas that have been altered/destroyed during the conflicts, and added several annotations in strategic points of the monument to make you disvover history and architecturral features of this ancient place.

Switch Avr 2016/Avr 2017

var urlid = 'b13746f5ff72444ea1d3747d5bdd9011'; var show_before = true; var iframe = document.getElementById( 'api-frame' ); var version = '1.0.0'; var client = new Sketchfab( version, iframe ); var theApi; client.init( urlid, { success: function onSuccess( api ){ theApi = api; api.start(); api.addEventListener( 'viewerready', function() { console.log( 'Viewer is ready' ); Util_SwitchBeforeAfter(); } ); }, error: function onError() { console.log( 'Viewer error' ); } } ); function Util_SwitchBeforeAfter() { before_name = 'Avant'; after_name = 'Apres'; if (show_before) { Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Avant', show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Apres', !show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Retopo_Outline', !show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Retopo_Porte', !show_before); } else { Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Avant', show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Apres', !show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Retopo_Outline', !show_before); Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, 'Retopo_Porte', !show_before); } show_before = !show_before; } function Util_ShowMeshByPattern(theApi, pattern, doshow) { theApi.getNodeMap( function( err, nodes ) { if (err) { console.log('Error getting nodes'); return; } var keys = Object.keys(nodes); var isOption; for (var n = 0; n < keys.length; n++) { var node = nodes[keys[n]]; // Verifier ces lignes pour le signe n inferieur keys... et name double and ... a la place de and-amp-; isOption = node.name && (node.name.indexOf(pattern) !== -1) && (node.type === 'MatrixTransform'); if (isOption) { if (doshow) { theApi.show(node.instanceID); }else{ theApi.hide(node.instanceID); } } } }); } var button = document.getElementById("button"); button.addEventListener("click",function() { Util_SwitchBeforeAfter() });