High fidelity reconstruction of the ancient Egyptian temple of Kalabsha

Abstract

The ancient Egyptian temple of Kalabsha dates back to 30 BC. In 1963 the temple was dismantled and moved to a new site in order to save it from the rising waters of the Lake Nasser. Computer graphics in collaboration with Egyptologists makes it possible to recreate the temple on a computer, place it back to its original location and orientation, and illuminate it, as it may have appeared some 2000 years ago. Accuracy is of the highest importance in such archaeological reconstructions when investigating how a site might have appeared in the past. Failure to use the highest fidelity means there is a very real danger of misrepresenting the past. This paper describes the practical methodology that should be undertaken in order to create a high fidelity reconstruction and realistic lighting simulation of an ancient Egyptian temple.