The Tombs of the Kings is a 3rd-century BC UNESCO World Heritage Hellenistic necropolis in Paphos, Cyprus, facing critical structural risks, including erosion and tectonic activity. EXCALIBUR will apply modern technology (9 TKs) for the holistic preservation of this external site (SL1: Burial sites, excavations, and surroundings), moving beyond traditional archaeological tools and photogrammetry.
A funerary monument in Sulky, Sardinia, Italy, with a unique Punic tomb (5th c. BC) noted for its strong ties to Egyptian culture, featuring painted decoration and a sculpted pillar. The challenge involves the documentation and conservation of fragile elements, including the severely decayed wooden sarcophagus and the red and black wall paintings.
This Use Case focuses on the detailed analysis and conservation of fragile tomb structures and decoration (SL2: Tomb structures and burial decoration; SL3: Artefacts, burial findings)
SMAEK in Munich, Germany, curates one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Egyptian objects, featuring over 3000 items in a funerary context, including 11 complete mummies and 40 complete coffins.
By integrating existing data (like archive documents and 250 3D models) with new CT scans and digital recording, EXCALIBUR will validate tools for massive digitization, knowledge organization, and advanced analysis of museum artifacts and human remains (SL3, SL4), by enhancing the study and accessibility of museum collections using AI and advanced digital techniques.
The DUTH Bioarchaeological Collection houses the skeletal remains of over 6,000 individuals from Greece, representing a unique biocultural record dating from the archaic period (6th c. BCE) to the post-medieval period (1500 AD). Building on existing ancient DNA and isotopic analysis, this UC will validate the Comprehensive Toolkit for Bioarchaeology (TK7). The methodology integrates 3D scanning and CT scanning procedures to create accurate digital replicas of ancient bones for non-invasive analysis and paleopathological examination. Â
This use case focuses on developing standardized digital tools for the advanced scientific study of human remains (SL4: Human and burial remains)Â
