Conservation of Ancient Sites on the Silk Road: 2nd International Conference on the Conservation of Grotto Sites, Mogao Grottoes - Dunhuang (China), 28/6-3/7/2004 Applications of High-Resolution 3D Imaging to the Recording and Conservation of Ancient Crypt and Grotto Sites

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has collaborated with numerous Canadian and international heritage institutions on the development of a complete suite of 3D imaging technologies for archival quality imaging, analysis and display of 3D models of museum objects and heritage sites including ancient crypt and grottos. The technology includes high-resolution laser scanner systems for recording museum objects and heritage sites, software for modeling and display of the 3D models as well as for examination, comparison and searching of 3D data. For example, we have collaborated on projects to prepare a 3D VR tour of the Tomb of Tutankhamun, for recording accurate geometric 3D models the Tomb of St. James in Jerusalem and of the Dazu (Bei Shan) Buddhist rock carvings and sculptures site in China, as well as for recording an archival quality photo-realistic 3D digital model of the Byzantine crypt of Santa Cristina in Italy. This paper presents an overview of this technology related to its applications for recording ancient crypt and grotto sites.