Sakuji Yoshimura

On-site analysis of archaeological artifacts excavated from the site on the outcrop at Northwest Saqqara, Egypt, by using a newly developed portable fluorescence spectrometer and diffractometer

AbstractBlue-painted pottery was produced in the New Kingdom, Egypt, and decorated with blue, red, and black pigment. In this study, two newly developed portable instruments, a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and a portable X-ray powder diffractometer, were brought to the site on the outcrop at Northwest Saqqara, an archaeological site in Egypt, to verify their performance in on-site analysis of excavated artifacts at the site. Pigments used for the blue-painted pottery and plasters in the New Kingdom were analyzed by these instruments on the basis of both their chemical compositions and crystal-structural information. The blue pigments were identified as two different pigments, Egyptian blue and cobalt blue. The diffraction pattern of the blue pigment of the painted pottery exhibited that of spinel structure. The XRF spectrum of the blue pigment obtained by the same instrument from the same position indicates the presence of Mn, Co, Fe, Ni, and Zn. The possibility of compositional transitions of the cobalt blue pigment with time was revealed on by detailed analysis of the XRF data. The reason for the transitions is considered together with the archaeological background of the New Kingdom, Egypt. FigureOn site XRF analysis at an archaeological excavation site has revealed that the typological transition of blue-painted pottery excavated from the site on the outcrop at Northwest Saqqara, Egypt was followed by a chemical compositional transion of the pigment.

Facial reconstruction of Egyptian mummy "Senu"

mummy “Senu”, believed to be more than 3700 years old. This mummy was excavated from the undisturbed tomb at the Dahshur north archeological site by a team from Waseda University in January 2005. Digital technology was first used by Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto in 1977 to CT scan the Egyptian mummy.[2] Attardi et al. [1] in 1999 made a facial reconstruction from CT data using 3D computer graphics, and the team of National Geographic[5] reconstructed the face of Tutankhamun in 2005. Kahler et al.[3] proposed a facial reconstruction method that is based on anatomy to incorporate skin and muscle. Our project is the collaboration between anatomists, Egyptologists and digital artists to produce photo-realistic 3D digital facial reconstruction based on anatomy and Egyptology.

Correcting for Non-uniform Illumination when Photographing the Mural in the Royal Tomb of Amenophis III (II): Applying Mural Images

The authors have been attempting to digitize murals at the royal tomb of Amenophis III. When photographing the murals, two strobe lights, each of which had an umbrella, were used to provide uniform illumination. Nonetheless, the illumination was still somewhat non-uniform. This non-uniform illumination was corrected by applying an illumination model, which was evaluated using images of the simulated mural with and without white patches. The illumination model was then extended to two light sources and applied to images of the actual mural. The corrected images were observed to be more uniformly illuminated. d c 2013 Society for Imaging Science and Technology. [DOI: 10.2352/J.ImagingSci.Technol.2013.57.2.020501] INTRODUCTION The royal tomb of Amenophis III, one of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, is located in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. The burial chamber is 8.2 m wide, 15.4 m long, and 3.1 m (partially 4.7 m) high. The Amduat is painted on the four walls. We have been attempting to create a full-size digital image of thismural, so that themural can be displayed on a computer display, which can be observed by many

Semi-transparent augmented reality system

We have developed a new Semi-Transparent Augmented Reality (AR) system that displays the inner structures of objects by making their surface semi-transparent. In this system we combine the live video of the object of interest and 3D computer graphics (3DCG) models with appropriate transparency and in proper order using AR technology. This system shows the 3DCG models of inner structures as if they existed inside the object.

Photorealistic facial reconstruction of Ramses II for virtual sets

This paper presents a facial reconstruction and photorealistic visualization technique of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II. G. Attardi et al. [1] have reconstructed a three dimensional computer graphics facial model from computerized tomography data. K. Kahler et al. [2] have successfully visualized a facial expression model made from facial expression muscles. We obtained x-ray photographs capturing the cranial bones of Ramses II from Professor Faure, who headed the x-ray photography of Ramses II. Our facial reconstruction process is based on the x-ray photographs. In addition, we have made photorealistic visualization of Ramses II using subsurface scattering technique to capture the complex reflection model of the skin. Furthermore, we used the rendering results in Virtual Sets of a television program.

The Relationship between Arts and Sciences in the Field of Archaeology: from Cooperation to a Truly Equal Partnership

I will start by explaining, as someone with an Arts background, my motives for participating in this symposium. The first reason is my close relationship with Professor Masayuki Uda, who organized this international conference. To go into somewhat more detail, the technology that Professor Uda has developed has made a tremendous difference to my own fieldwork in Egypt. The satisfaction that comes from gaining valuable new knowledge using his equipment is one of my chief motives for taking part in this symposium. Then there is the fact that for the past two decades, since the early 1980s, we have taken advantage of a wide range of advanced technologies on the ground in Egypt. The first piece of equipment we used was an electromagnetic distance measuring device for surveying, which enabled us to do away with plane-table surveying. We stored the data obtained on computer and printed it out back in the living quarters. After a few improvements, we were able not just to compile maps of structural remains but also record objects discovered in the list of finds all on computer. That dramatically enhanced the efficiency of our work as well as boosting objectivity. Next, we developed an automated diagramming system for visually recording dug-up artifacts. The goal of these energy-saving innovations was to reduce the amount of effort that archaeologists have to put into routine tasks and increase the amount of time they have for what they are really supposed to be doing: think. Consequently, we reached the next stage: harnessing scientific technology in the search for new sites, one of the archaeologist’s main tasks. That meant identifying the methods of geophysical prospecting most suited to Egyptian terrain. In 1985, a French team used a micro gravimeter on a pyramid. We chose to use an