Nouvelles de Smouha

Report on Smouha archaeological Research Mission 2017

(Kom el-Shuqafa, blocks excavated in Smouha)

This Archaeological study project aims at the three-dimensional reconstitution of a lost monument from Alexandria through the study of architectural elements from Smouha. They have been discovered during previous missions from 2009 to 2012.

The Archaeological study project is based on a scientific collaboration between the Musée royal de Mariemont (Morlanwelz, Belgium) and the Centre d’Études Alexandrines (Alexandria, Egypt). The Mission Directors are : Marie-Cécile Bruwier (Mariemont), Marie-Dominique Nenna (Centre d’Études Alexandrines); the mission assistant Director : Heleni Fragaki (CEAlex). The number of the Mission Members : 2 (Mariemont) and 7 (CEAlex).

The funding Source : Musée royal de Mariemont.

The aims of the project described in the 2017 requested permit were to take the necessary measurements and drawings of each and every block; to photograph the blocks in 3D technology to create digital duplicates of all the blocs.

Due to the very late approval of the permit (November 2017), Architect Alkisti Tsampra (CEALex), Archaeologist Heleni Fragaki (CEAlex) and Photographer Philippe Soubias (CEALex) worked in December 2017. Two workweeks were dedicated to photogrammetric survey of 19 isolated blocks: 17 fragments of columns and 2 parallelipedal blocks); it means 3500 photos. Final 3D models and workfiles (orthophotography, …) are completed.

Dr Marie-Cécile Bruwier

Musée royal de Mariemont

Le rapport comprend en annexe deux photos ainsi qu'un dessin de blocs.