Ellesiya

Documenting the architecture, epigraphy, and conservation history of the rock-cut chapel

Ellesiya

Coordinator: Johannes Auenmüller

Team: Sara Aicardi, Eleonora Furgiuele, Federico Taverni

Partner institutions: Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale

The project aims to produce a comprehensive new documentation of the rock-cut chapel of Ellesiya – one of the most important Egyptian monuments of the Museo Egizio in Turin – through advanced techniques of multispectral imaging, 3D photogrammetry, digital epigraphy, diagnostic investigations and restoration campaigns.

The project aims to carry out a systematic and multidisciplinary study of the rock-cut chapel of Ellesiya, which has been in the Museo Egizio in Turin since 1969. The activities are structured along three main axes: A) Complete epigraphic documentation: digital survey of all inscribed surfaces, with particular attention to secondary epigraphy (graffiti, stelae, ex-voto), using digital epigraphic drawing, RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) and 3D scanning/photogrammetry; B) Architectural-conservation analysis and restoration: archaeometric study of the Nubian sandstone structure, diagnostic campaigns (XRF), optical microscopy, cross-section stratigraphy, FORS, FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS), multispectral imaging to identify traces of polychromy (IRR, IRFC, UVF, VIL, MSI), high-resolution orthophotography before/during/after restoration of the interior walls and wall blocks of the chapel; C) Dissemination and enhancement: updating of the virtual tour with digitally recoloured surveys, development of an AR app, creation of the online platform “Digital Ellesiya Hub” and publication of a comprehensive scientific volume in the Studi del Museo Egizio series.

The project integrates traditional Egyptological documentation methods with state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic analysis tools: multispectral imaging and RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging / V-RTI) to identify eroded inscriptions and traces of colouration on degraded surfaces; photogrammetry and 3D modelling for three-dimensional architectural documentation of the entire stone structure and decorated surfaces; digital epigraphy: high-resolution drawing of all primary and secondary inscriptions, with systematic review of archival sources and historical surveys; archaeometric analysis: XRF campaigns, cross-section stratigraphy, FORS, FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS and optical microscopy for the characterization of stone materials, identification of pictorial layers and any restoration materials used in previous interventions; conservation restoration: restoration of the interior walls of the chapel (April-October 2023) and of the wall blocks (July–October 2024), planned interventions on the façade and rear of the chapel, in collaboration with CCR La Venaria Reale; data collection and management: all results – articles, 3D models, diagnostic analyses – will be integrated into the “Digital Ellesiya Hub” platform.

The project foresees the production of scientific articles on secondary epigraphy, conservation and imaging – including the publication Di Iorio et al., 2024, in Applied Sciences – and complete digital epigraphic drawings of all inscribed surfaces. Among the long-term outputs are a comprehensive scientific volume in the series Studi del Museo Egizio (2030) and a popular science book on the rock-cut chapel. Regarding diagnostics and conservation, restoration interventions on the façade and rear of the chapel and a full MA-XRF (XRF mapping) campaign are planned. On the digital enhancement side, the project includes the update of the Virtual Tour with digitally recoloured surveys, the development of an AR app for the communication of the surveys (2029) and the creation of the open-access online platform “Digital Ellesiya Hub”

Links

Di Iorio, Federico, Leila Es Sebar, Sara Croci, Federico Taverni, Johannes Auenmüller, Federica Pozzi and Sabrina Grassini, “The Use of Virtual Reflectance Transformation Imaging (V-RTI) in the Field of Cultural Heritage: Approaching the Materiality of an Ancient Egyptian Rock-Cut Chapel”, Appled Sciences 14/11 (2024), 4768; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114768

Presentation “A Chapel and its Visitors: Secondary stelae and graffiti at Ellesija”, held on 3 March 2025: https://www.youtube.com/live/eGWMC_6sNYE?si=StKFKsmHjQ0yXXul

Video: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg2dFdDRRClGZH261g4CKmcWrZ4W9zQws&si=1UcVonj2jDfRzePO

Projection: https://youtu.be/QUyPjjjg1cE?si=Pcp_IyhSkBPQiwps

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Ellesiya

Ellesiya

Visit

Events

Collection and research

Touring exhibitions

Who we are

Fondazione Trasparente

HR and tenders

Press