3D tombs modeling by simple tools

New archaeological research was carried out between 2009 and 2011 by the Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA) at central Dra’ Abu el-Naga. Joining the MSA excavation team in the field in 2009, the author has been studying the findings from this area since then. The excavation site is situated ca. 700 km south of Cairo, opposite the modern city of Luxor in Upper Egypt on the western side of the Nile. Dra\'' Abu el-Naga is the modern name of the northern area of the extended necropolis. Central Dra’ Abu el-Naga lies to the north of the causeway of queen Hatshepsut and just south of the German and Spanish concessions, overlooking the valley where a temple of Amenhotep I was once erected. The tombs are situated just below the hilltop of the middle range of the Dra’ Abu el-Naga hills Review And to reach fulfill this main objective, it was proposed in 2013 to follow these research objectives: Consequently one main objective was the recording of architecture of the new discovered tombs and the reconstruction of the original context of the objects, which formed part of their burial equipment. The overlying aim of the research is: Preparing plans of all the new tombs, and also sections and 3D views of two of the tombs as they are very complicated. To place the new tombs in their archaeological context. 2D drawings can be tricky for some people to read, but 3D model views are a universal language that anyone can understand. By using SketchUp Pro to get owners, researchers heads in the same direction

Recently Discovered 18th Dynasty Tombs at Central Dra’ Abu el-Naga

Gegenstand dieser Studie ist eine Gruppe von acht Felsgräbern und zwei Schaftgräbern im Zentralbereich von Dra’ Abu el-Naga (Central Dra’ Abu el-Naga, CDAN) auf der thebaischen Westseite. Die Errichtung dieser Anlagen geht auf die Zeit des ägyptischen Neuen Reichs zurück, doch wurden sie über viele Generationen nach der Bestattung der ursprünglichen Grabinhaber weiter benutzt. Die Einleitung (Chapter 1) skizziert den Rahmen der Untersuchung und umfasst drei Teile: Zunächst werden Hintergrundinformationen zur geographischen Lage und physischen Gestalt des Fundareals geliefert. Schließlich werden Verlauf und aktueller Stand der Forschungen in CDAN skizziert. In folgenden Hauptkapitel (Chapter 2) werden die vom ägyptische Ministry of State of Antiquities (MSA) in dem Areal durchgeführten Ausgrabungen behandelt. Durch die Konzentration auf die Analyse der vorkommenden Architekturelemente und deren Einordnung in die in CDAN vorkommenden Stiltypen konnten unserem Wissen. Im dritten Hauptteil (Chapter 3) setze ich mich mit den Überbleibseln und Spuren der antiken Bestattungsgebräuche auseinander, also in erster Linie mit Objektgruppen auseinander. Im Letztem Hauptteil (Chapter 4) Wiederbenutzung der Grabanlagen in späteren Perioden. Abschließen wird die Bedeutung der neu entdeckten Grabanlagen für den Gesamtkontext der Archäologie von CDAN beleuchtet. Dabei haben sich neue Erkenntnisse zu den spezifischen Verwendungen und Funktionen sowie Nachverwendungen monumentaler Bestattungen in CDAN ergeben – gerade auch dadurch, dass sich der Betrachtungszeitraum vom Neuen Reich bis zur Moderne erstreckte und so unser Blick für die vielfältigen Bezugnahmen und Entwicklungen geschärft wurde. Die vier Hauptkapitel werden durch einen Katalog der behandelten Objekte ergänzt.In this thesis, a group of eight rock cut tombs and two shaft-tombs located in Central Dra’ Abu el-Naga (CDAN) at the West Bank of Luxor were studied. The construction of these tombs dates mainly to the period of the New Kingdom (NK, c. 1550-1070 BCE), but they continued to be in use for many generations after the death of the original tomb owners. The framework of this study, as sketched in Chapter 1, is characterized by three approaches: the first section is titled The geographical and geological nature of DAN. The overview of The history of excavation at CDAN Finally, the focus is on the history of research on the necropolis of CDAN. In Chapter 2, the excavations conducted in the area by the Egyptian Ministry of State of Antiquities (MSA) are described. I described and discussed the architectural elements of the newly excavated tombs. At the end, the architectural styles that prevailed in the CDAN were described, as a step in clarifying the development of the history of the area. In Chapter 3, deals with the relics and traces of ancient burial customs, especially with the objects like statues, pottery, coffins, shanties, funerary cones, and other funerary equipment, which came to light during the excavations in the area. Particular attention was given to their dating. The last section, Chapter 4, the frequent re-use of the tombs in later periods, as illustrated, e.g., by ceramics and other small finds. At the end, the significance of the newly discovered tombs is highlighted. Further insights into the specific usages and functions of monumental tombs in CDAN in general were gained, and to increase the understanding of the connections, interrelationships and developments, this started from NK and ended to very modern time. The four main chapters are followed by a catalogue of objects

The Aspects of Animal Sanctification in the Graeco-Roman Monuments in Egypt.(Study in Classical Influences)

The aim of this study is to explore the relation between the Greeks, Romans and the sacred animals in ancient Egypt. It investigates the classical elements relating to this theme in arts during the Graeco-Roman Periods, and provides artistic and archaeological proofs for the existence of this sanctification among the Greeks and Romans. This aim has been achieved through answering a number of questions: Did the Greeks and Romans believe in the idea of the animal sanctification and participate in it? How can one account for the classical elements that appeared in the representations of the animals in art? Were there stelae, statues and dedications made for the sacred animals by the Greeks and Romans? Thus, I have provided a comprehensive study of one of the most important phenomenon in ancient Egypt, the sanctification of the animal. Many Greek dedications were made to the sacred animals during the Greco-Roman period, especially to the crocodile in El-Fayoum. These dedications are considered an aspect of the animal sanctification. I have investigated in this study the dedications on the temples, the stelae and also the statuettes group of military figures with animal heads as ex-votos. The study explores the classical elements and the influences that appear in the representations of the tombstones of the Graeco-Roman period which carry the shapes of the sacred animals accompanying the deceased. This has been done through studying many stelae from Kom Abou Bellou and Alexandria to prove that the representation of the sacred animals on those stelae was one of the aspects of animal sanctification

Growth characteristics in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta in North America: results from a multicenter study.

PurposeOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) predisposes people to recurrent fractures, bone deformities, and short stature. There is a lack of large-scale systematic studies that have investigated growth parameters in OI.MethodsUsing data from the Linked Clinical Research Centers, we compared height, growth velocity, weight, and body mass index (BMI) in 552 individuals with OI. Height, weight, and BMI were plotted on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention normative curves.ResultsIn children, the median z-scores for height in OI types I, III, and IV were -0.66, -6.91, and -2.79, respectively. Growth velocity was diminished in OI types III and IV. The median z-score for weight in children with OI type III was -4.55. The median z-scores for BMI in children with OI types I, III, and IV were 0.10, 0.91, and 0.67, respectively. Generalized linear model analyses demonstrated that the height z-score was positively correlated with the severity of the OI subtype (P < 0.001), age, bisphosphonate use, and rodding (P < 0.05).ConclusionFrom the largest cohort of individuals with OI, we provide median values for height, weight, and BMI z-scores that can aid the evaluation of overall growth in the clinic setting. This study is an important first step in the generation of OI-specific growth curves

Hatshepsut and the Apis Race: New Quartzite Relief Fragments from Dra’ Abu el-Naga

The reconstruction of a scene sculpted on some quartzite stone fragments discovered recently at Dra’ Abu el-Naga and dating from the reign of Hatshepsut is the subject of this paper. The relief resembles the scenes known from the Red Chapel at Karnak and seems to be a part of the wdi sx.t ritual performed on the occasion of the Opet and / or Valley Festivals.The reconstruction of a scene sculpted on some quartzite stone fragments discovered recently at Dra’ Abu el-Naga and dating from the reign of Hatshepsut is the subject of this paper. The relief resembles the scenes known from the Red Chapel at Karnak and seems to be a part of the wdi sx.t ritual performed on the occasion of the Opet and/orValley Festivals

Field Testing of Energy-Efficient Flood-Damage-Resistant Residential Envelope Systems Summary Report

The primary purpose of the project was to identify materials and methods that will make the envelope of a house flood damage resistant. Flood damage resistant materials and systems are intended to be used to repair houses subsequent to flooding. This project was also intended to develop methods of restoring the envelopes of houses that have been flooded but are repairable and may be subject to future flooding. Then if the house floods again, damage will not be as extensive as in previous flood events and restoration costs and efforts will be minimized. The purpose of the first pair of field tests was to establish a baseline for typical current residential construction practice. The first test modules used materials and systems that were commonly found in residential envelopes throughout the U.S. The purpose of the second pair of field tests was to begin evaluating potential residential envelope materials and systems that were projected to be more flood-damage resistant and restorable than the conventional materials and systems tested in the first pair of tests. The purpose of testing the third slab-on-grade module was to attempt to dry flood proof the module (no floodwater within the structure). If the module could be sealed well enough to prevent water from entering, then this would be an effective method of making the interior materials and systems flood damage resistant. The third crawl space module was tested in the same manner as the previous modules and provided an opportunity to do flood tests of additional residential materials and systems. Another purpose of the project was to develop the methodology to collect representative, measured, reproducible (i.e. scientific) data on how various residential materials and systems respond to flooding conditions so that future recommendations for repairing flood damaged houses could be based on scientific data. An additional benefit of collecting this data is that it will be used in the development of a standard test procedure which could lead to the certification of building materials and systems as flood damage resistant

Role of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Prediction of Reversibility of Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation In Patients Undergoing CABG

Background: Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a frequent consequence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and commonly occurs in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The best approach for managing moderate IMR remains debated, especially concerning the necessity of mitral valve surgery (MVS) alongside CABG. This study evaluates the role of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in predicting the reversibility of moderate IMR and its effect on surgical outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 patients with moderate IMR undergoing CABG, with or without MVS, based on DSE findings. Patients were divided into two equal groups: Group A (CABG alone) and Group B (CABG with MVS). Clinical, echocardiographic, and postoperative data were collected, and patients were followed for six months. Results: No significant difference in short-term survival was observed between the groups. However, the CABG+MVS group showed greater improvement in IMR severity, with 96.6% achieving none-to-mild IMR at follow-up compared to 80% in the CABG-only group (p = 0.04). Additionally, the effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) was significantly smaller in the CABG+MVS group (5.90 ± 3.63 mm² vs. 20.03 ± 8.41 mm², p < 0.001). Despite these benefits, the incidence of low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) was higher in the CABG+MVS group (60% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Combined CABG and MVS significantly improves IMR severity and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate IMR but increase the risk of LCOS. Preoperative DSE is a valuable tool in selecting appropriate candidates for MVS