Hawara Archaeological Site

The Hawara Pyramid and Labyrinth have been thoroughly documented and recorded, and the historic site and its geological and environmental characteristics have been reconstructed using virtual heritage technologies such as satellite imaging, laser scanning, and aerial surveys. 

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Giza Laser Scanning Survey Project

In collaboration with Japanese experts, a comprehensive digital model of the Pyramid of Queen Khentkaus I and the Great Sphinx was produced.

Objective: to monitor rock weathering and document ongoing conservation works in order to preserve the original architectural dimensions and geometry.

Tomb of Seti I (Valley of the Kings)

This tomb is considered one of the largest and most beautifully decorated in the Valley of the Kings; however, it is extremely sensitive to humidity.

Project: Specialized laser scanners (Seti Scanner) were used to record every millimeter of the tomb’s walls.

Outcome: The survey resulted in the creation of a full-scale replica housed at the “Stoker House” in Luxor, allowing visitors to experience the tomb without causing damage to the original wall paintings at the actual site.

Abu Simbel Temple Complex

Laser scanning was applied not only for documentation purposes but also to study the site’s astronomical ingenuity.

Details: Researchers generated a three-dimensional model of the Great Temple and used digital simulations to model solar movement.

Objective: To understand how ancient Egyptians precisely designed the temple so that sunlight aligns with the face of the statue of King Ramses II on specific dates with remarkable accuracy.

    • Historic Monasteries and Churches (Sohag)

    • The Red Monastery and the White Monastery:

Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) was used to document these historic churches dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD.

Significance: The survey contributed to documenting mural paintings—considered among the best-preserved in Egypt—and to producing structural maps to address risks related to cracking and groundwater intrusion.

Prince Omar Tousson Palace and Baron Palace

A comprehensive laser scan was conducted to analyze its deteriorating structural condition. The resulting data supported the creation of an HBIM model (Historic Building Information Modeling) capable of simulating the palace’s response to future loads and hazards.

Baron Palace: Recent restoration relied heavily on laser surveying to correct column inclinations and accurately reinstall missing decorative elements.

    • Recent Discoveries (Saqqara)

    • Egyptian–Chinese Cooperation:

Handheld LiDAR scanners were used to document more than 1,000 newly discovered painted coffins in the “Bastet” area.

Advantages: These scanners capture colors and hieroglyphic inscriptions with accuracy up to 0.04 mm, enabling digital reading even when inscriptions appear faded to the naked eye.

Philae Temples (Aswan)

Work: a comprehensive laser survey of the temple complex was conducted through collaboration between international missions and Egyptian universities.

Objective: to document the current condition of the temples after decades of relocation from Philae Island to Agilkia Island, and to assess the impact of humidity from Lake Nasser on inscriptions and foundations.

Meidum Pyramid (Beni Suef)

Work: a detailed laser survey was conducted to image the partially collapsed internal structure.

Objective: to understand the construction phases of the pyramid and interpret the reasons behind the collapse of its outer casing. Digital models provided unprecedented insight into the internal core structure, invisible to the naked eye.

Meidum Pyramid (Beni Suef)

Work: a detailed laser survey was conducted to image the partially collapsed internal structure.

Objective: to understand the construction phases of the pyramid and interpret the reasons behind the collapse of its outer casing. Digital models provided unprecedented insight into the internal core structure, invisible to the naked eye.

Sultan Qalawun Complex (Al-Muizz Street, Cairo)

Work: laser scanning was used to document the complex façades and domes of the bimaristan, mausoleum, and madrasa.

Objective: given the site’s exceptional architectural detail, laser scanning enabled high-precision documentation of muqarnas and marble decorations, serving as a reference for any future conservation efforts.

Abdeen Palace (Cairo)

Work: extensive interior and exterior laser scanning was conducted across large areas of the palace.

Objective: digital archiving of architectural ornaments and gilded ceilings, and the production of high-quality virtual tours that allow researchers to study the palace’s historical details remotely.

Dendera Temple (Qena)

Work: laser scanning was used to document the famous ceiling featuring the Zodiac (astronomical map).

Objective: to support the ceiling cleaning process by comparing digital images before and after soot removal, revealing the original vivid colors without damaging the reliefs.

Karnak Temple (Luxor)

Work: a comprehensive laser scan of 134 massive columns was conducted in collaboration with international teams.

Objective: to document inscriptions and colors that became visible after recent cleaning campaigns and to generate a precise digital load-distribution map of the ancient collapsed roof, supporting virtual reconstruction studies.

Tomb of Nefertari (Valley of the Queens)

Work: the tomb underwent ultra-high-resolution laser scanning (micrometer-level accuracy) by the Getty Conservation Institute.

Objective: the tomb suffers from salt crystallization behind the painted plaster layers. Laser monitoring detects minute wall deformations (fractions of a millimeter), helping preserve the paintings before detachment occurs.

Tomb of Nefertari (Valley of the Queens)

Work: laser scanning of the pylon and the high external enclosure walls was conducted.

Objective: the survey revealed details in Ptolemaic inscriptions at great heights that were previously inaccessible using traditional methods, facilitating their digital reading and translation.

Osirion Temple (Abydos)

Work: this enigmatic structure, located several meters below ground level, was fully laser scanned.

Objective: to study the impact of groundwater on massive granite blocks. Three-dimensional models enabled engineers to accurately simulate groundwater movement and its effect on the temple’s foundations.

Unas Pyramid (Saqqara)

Work: the burial chamber containing the oldest religious texts in history was documented.

Objective: due to the chamber’s very small size and frequent closure to the public, laser scanning enabled the creation of an interactive digital replica, allowing scholars to read and trace the recessed hieroglyphic texts on all four walls with exceptional accuracy.

Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el-Bahari)

Work: laser scanning of façades and colossal Osiride statues.

Objective: to support anastylosis processes (reassembly of architectural elements) by digitally matching thousands of scattered stone fragments to their original positions before physical restoration.

Tomb of Tutankhamun (Valley of the Kings)

Work: strong hypotheses emerged regarding the presence of hidden chambers behind the tomb walls (including the theory of Queen Nefertiti’s burial).

Method: three-dimensional laser scanning was used to detect subtle variations in the flatness of painted walls.

Sahure Pyramid (Abusir)

Discovery: during restoration works in 2023, laser scanning was used to identify internal collapse zones.

Outcome: high-resolution surveys led the Egyptian–German mission to discover eight previously unknown storage chambers inside the pyramid. Laser mapping enabled documentation despite rubble infill, allowing safe cleaning and structural stabilization.