Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel.

Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel. | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel. Abdelhamid Elbshbeshi, Ahmed Gomaa, Abdelmonem Mohamed, Amal Othman, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Conservation and restoration of heritage sites have recently become more popular through 3-D modelling and digital documentation of heritage. The main objective of the current study is to develop a digital documentation process for Abu Simbel temple, which is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt, focusing on its potential to replace obsolete methods of building heritage documentation using laser scanning. A combination of various techniques was used to produce a 3-D digital model. A precise geodetic network has been established around the temple, consisting of five points that helped in producing the 3-D model with geographic coordinates which through the rate of deformation around the temple could be calculated. Afterward, 52 scans of the temple facade and its interior parts were taken with the use of Trimble TX6 laser scanner. A 3-D digital model of the temple was obtained, encompassing geometric data, structural, architectural, and historical details as well as non-engineering data, including appearance, inscriptions, and material details. Outputs from the 3-D point cloud model exhibit a 6 mm spacing between points with a standard error of 4 mm and a standard deviation of 5 mm. In addition, a virtual tour was conducted in the temple including 61 panoramic images. Moreover, this a virtual tour would help in enhancing historical awareness, promoting tourism, and also enabling restoration work on any part that is vulnerable to deformation for any reason. Terrestrial Laser Scanner Documentation Total Station Abu Simbel Temple Modeling Virtual Reality Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 Introduction The temple of Abu Simbel comprises the Great Temple of Ramses II while the smaller temple named Nefertari, and they became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979s. In the present days, three-dimensional (3-D) technology is widely used in various applications, such as road maintenance, urban planning, surveying for industrial use, and heritage preservation [ 1 ]. In these systems, a point cloud is commonly generated, representing a large set of data exhibiting the object's scanned points, including coordinates, intensity, and color [ 2 ]. There are several processing procedures when working with point clouds, such as classifying indoor or outdoor objects by categories, creating 2-D or 3-D cross sections, creating measurements, and extracting specific objects [ 3 ]. A laser scanner technology creates high-resolution data and digital model files that can be used to capture objects quicker and with more accurate details [ 4 ]. It is very easy to visualize and process a point cloud using Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), allowing for cross-sectioning, part isolation, measurement, and visualization all sides, which is extremely useful for documentation. Using this method, very large objects such as churches and monuments might be documented in a short time, as very small objects would be such jewellery makers [ 3 ]. Laser scanning might be helpful to get accurate measure and model objects with intricate details, which provides all information in a short time without losing the resolution of the image. Further, it is especially used to document historical and valuable objects with the accuracy you need and provide more details with high accuracy in x, y, and z directions. Following that, the surveyed point cloud was modelled using appropriate software to generate the nearest to reality model of the objects. In some cases, photogrammetry and traditional methods are not suitable for heritage recording, but laser scanning is able to produce a huge number of points quickly, causing it more suitable for 3-D surveying [ 5 ]. Recently, TLS has been used in the documentation and preservation of historical buildings that facade complex decisions making because of the limited reliable information. So, managers can make critical decisions in managing problems due to the allowed information after documenting the historical buildings [ 6 ]. Additionally, 3-D digital heritage models can be used to accurate and efficient document structures remotely (which was not possible using old surveying methods) because of their excellent digital information system capabilities for displaying, analyzing, and archiving all information related to these structures [ 7 , 8 ]. Several countries depend heavily on tourism industry for their economic growth. History and culture must merge with the digital world so they can be preserved, animated, reality augmented, etc. Rebuilding historical sites is easy, but restoring real cultural heritage is the future. Every day, more discoveries are being made in Egypt that add to the cultural assets inventory. Abu Simbel temple is considered one of the most common archaeological temples in Egypt. This study aims to create three-dimensional digital models of the Great Abu Simbel temple, monitor deflection and deformation, and document interior and exterior parts that indicate the temple's cultural significance. Study Area The studied area is located southern part of Egypt-near the Sudanese border. Abu Simbel Temple lies on the west bank of the Nile River, approximately 280 Km southwest of Aswan city (Fig. 1 ). The construction of the temple was finished in 1206 BC, and it consists of two temples: the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller temple that is named the Nefertari temple (Fig. 2 ). The two temples have been added to UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979s. The Great Temple housed the deities Amun-Ra, Ptah, and Ra-Harakhty, as well as the pharaoh himself, while the smaller temple housed Hathor and Nefertari-meritmut [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. During the reign of Ramesses II (19th dynasty), both massive rock structures were constructed to commemorate Ramesses II's victory over Muwatalli II and the Hittites [ 13 ]. The temples were mostly forgotten until the late 19th century when they were buried in the Western Desert. However, Abu Simbel temple was discovered in 1812 CE by explorer Burckhardt [ 14 ]. Egyptian authorities began construction of the High Dam in the 1960s after realizing its necessity to control the annual flooding of the Nile [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. After the High Dam was built, Nasser Lake formed behind it, which led to the submersion of the original location of Abu Simbel Temples. As part of an international salvage campaign, Abu Simbel temple was relocated during (1964 -1968s) to its current position [ 18 ]. The temple was cut into many blocks, and reconstructed in the highest position, 65 meters above sea level, and rebuilt backward by about 210 meters compared with the older coastline. The blocks of the temple were rebuilt on an artificial rock cliff by an international group of engineers, who restored the biannual solar phenomenon that characterized the great temple [ 19 ]. As a result of the temple reconstruction, the phenomenon has shifted by one day, as it previously appeared on 21st February and 21st October. There is a danger to the current location of Abu Simbel temples, both from natural processes and human activities. Abu Simbel City is located near to two wadi outlets, and when compared with the surrounding areas, this proximity makes the peninsula more vulnerable to flooding. Additionally, Abu Simbel temples lie directly below a deep fault or fracturing zone that has been identified as seismically active [ 20 ]. One of the four Ramesses II statues flanking the Great Temple ultimately has collapsed due to an earthquake [ 21 ]. Additionally, the Great Ethiopian Dam is constructed on the Blue Nile and considered one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Africa. Given Ethiopia's extremely high elevation of approximately 500 m above sea level, any minor fractures or breakage in this 155 m dam would cause irreversible damage to archaeological and historical sites along the Nile River in both Egypt and Sudan which have lower elevations relative to Ethiopia. Ahmed and Elsanabary (2015) [ 22 ] reported that Egypt and Sudan might suffer from devastating floods, particularly near the Senner Dam near the Sudanese capital, and Nasser Lake in Egypt. Methodology A scanning process leads to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process involving three steps [ 23 ]: modeling geometry for the object, mapping the object category and the component`s properties, and establishing relationships among them. In the current study, the data was collected and organized in four main stages, as shown in (Fig. 3); the first stage began with planning Abu Simbel temple building's survey and visualizing the locations of the scan stations before starting the on-site stage. The second stage includes data acquisition the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Trimble TX6 outside and inside the temple using flat targets from various heights. The third stage involves data preprocessing and registration for the point cloud. The final stage was to produce a 3-D model to document and preserve the study area. These stages have been applied and explained briefly as follows: Terrestrial Laser Scanner "Trimble TX6" The technology of laser scanners enables the measurement of a wide variety of points located on the monitored building or object without being accessible; the scanner emits a laser beam that is reflected by the object being measured. In order to measure a characteristic point on the surface of an object, three steps are necessary: slope distance, horizontal angle α, and vertical angle β. A "point cloud" represents the data produced by these measurements which considered as a set of points exhibiting the monitored object [ 24 ]. During this survey, Trimble TX6 laser scanner was used. It is a full-featured laser scanner, providing a sophisticated solution for acquiring accurate data. It is combined with Trimble RealWorks® software to provide a comprehensive geospatial scanning solution. It has a field view of 360 o *317 o and can cover full density scans, as shown in (Fig. 4 ). It has a measuring rate of 500,000 points per second while maintaining scan quality range, and it contains an integrated HDR camera to color scans, simple onboard interface with no complicated settings, built-in WLAN for remote control from any mobile device. The range of TX6 ranges from 80 to 100 meters however it might reach 120 meters. Trimble TX6 data is loaded directly into Trimble Scan Explorer * and Trimble RealWorks® to make registration and extraction of 3-D models and to produce powerful deliverables. The Trimble TX6's scanning characteristics are described in Table 1 . Table 1 Scanning Characteristics of Trimble Station TX 6 SCANNER/CHARACTERISTIC Trimble TX6 Laser Class 3R Scanning method Time-of-flight Vertical field of view ( o ) 317 o Horizontal field of view ( o ) 360 o Minimum range 0.6 m Maximum range 80 m to 100 m on most surfaces Reflectivity 18–90% reflectivity with standard range 2 m to 80 m Scanning speed (pts/sec) 500,000 pts/sec Range systematic error < 2 mm Processing software Trimble RealWorks® Tilting sensor Dual axis compensation Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) GNSS surveys require different approaches for planning, executing, and processing. In order to plan GNSS surveying properly, it is necessary to think about several factors, including the configuration of the site or satellites, the status of the satellite, moreover the number and the type of the used receivers. For Abu Simbel temple, five ground control points in UTM coordinate system were established around the temple as shown in (Fig. 5 ). The coordinates were determined by a Trimble R-8 GNSS receiver to provide a geo-referenced model for the temple as shown in Table 2 . The measurement baselines were analyzed using the Trimble Business Centre (TBC) software package, as well as other software for calculating adjustment and deformation parameters. Using the International GNSS Service (IGS) stations, the reference stations are used to calculate coordinates precisely within the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). Table 2 Five control points are measured in the area with coordinates X, Y, and Z: Point ID Latitude Longitude Height (Meter) GPS1 N22°20'33.99352" E31°37'30.97976" 208.439 GPS2 N22°20'00.79518" E31°37'22.57320" 205.628 GPS3 N22°20'12.78655" E31°37'39.41321" 194.970 GPS4 N22°20'23.78150" E31°37'21.91291" 206.312 GPS5 N22°20'21.30797" E31°37'29.89393" 198.469 Total Station “Trimble S5” The total stations are optical-electronic devices that combine an electronic transit theodolite with an electronic distance meter (EDM) for modern construction and surveying. In other words, it could integrate between electronic data accumulators, microprocessors, and storage systems. Using this microprocessor, data can be processed to define the point coordinates, horizontal distance, and level decrease. Such device detects the vertical and horizontal angles and the distances between items and instruments. In the current study, black and white flat targets were measured by S5 (Fig. 6), which was linked to a reference point to form the accurate coordinates (Northing (X), Easting (Y), and Elevation (Z)) for each point in the final model. Data from the total station were transferred to a computer to calculate the results for the surveyed points using some specialized software. Data Acquisition Trimble TX6 has a field of vision of 360 o *317 o and a resolution of 0.004 angular meters and can collect data up to 120 meters away. Each laser pulse produces a point cloud with coordinates X, Y, and Z with reflection intensity. To geo-reference the gathered data by Laser TX6, it is essential to set up an array of retroreflectors (Black and White flat targets) that are considered as control points. These control points have been measured by S5 applying a local coordinate system set up during the survey. The scans from different scanner locations will be grouped into one project and then converted into a world coordinate system. In current research, Abu Simbel temple was covered in 52 scans for outdoor and indoor parts (Fig. 7 a). Twelve scans covered the external facade of the temple with 25 flat targets that were used during data acquisition. On the other hand, the interior of the temple consists of three halls and several rooms that were surveyed by 40 scans (Fig. 7 b). For each scan, the images` scanning and capturing took an average of about 21 minutes, whereas the entire project completed in 5 days, excluding the planning before data collection. All scans inside and outside the temple were done at level 3. The data acquisition procedure was executed in two steps, laser scanning followed by image capture, and data about the geometry and intensity of facade data were captured using TX6.. Additionally, RGB values of the geometric object were captured by the integrated HDR camera in the laser TX6, with each scan capturing six images in all directions (Top, bottom, left, right, front, and back) to create a panorama view for the surrounding area. Using Trimble RealWorks ® 12.2 software, all of the recorded digital data for the facades of the temple building were automatically stored in the laptop after completing the acquisition step. The procedure of point cloud processing includes checking and cleaning data to ensure that the resulting point cloud represents accurately the underlying objects. Finally, a complete visualization model for Abu Simbel temple has been created by registering these point clouds to the World Geodetic System (WGS84). Data processing and Registration In the registration procedure, multiple point clouds were aligned into a well-stratified point cloud model using spatial transformations (e.g., scaling, rotation, translation, etc.). There are two approaches for registration: cloud-to-cloud and target-based registration. Cloud-to-cloud registration utilizes overlapping scan data to register two or more-point clouds, while target-based registration uses black and white flat targets that are surveyed by the total station [ 25 ]. In this survey, both methods of registration have been applied. On the exterior part of the temple, the total station was used to calculate the precise coordinates from scan numbers 1 to 4, which contain black and white flat targets to serve as geo-reference points, while overlapping was used to calculate the remaining scans in the exterior part. In the interior part of the temple, the overlapping between each scan was used to point cloud register (Fig. 8 a), and the overall cloud-to-cloud error was 2.72 mm (Fig. 8 b). Registration of the 3D point cloud was done using Trimble RealWorks®. The data filtering process was used to correct and remove selected scan points from the geometric object to ensure that the geometric object had an active target representing the range of colours for fit. After geometric objects have been correctly merged, the colour information from the Integrated HDR camera would be combined with the registered 3-D point clouds. After the final registration of all scans, the resulting 3D point cloud model has an accuracy of 2.5 mm. The following step of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in AutoCAD would be used to render and complete the documentation. The process of cleaning point clouds is a difficult step and is as essential part of the processing [ 26 , 22 , 27 ]. The scan scene must be free of unwanted objects while keeping visual reference points accessible. It is vital to avoid stationary or moving objects, such as moving people, vehicles, and furniture, from the scan, which obscure certain scanned elements and would add noise, or undesirable point data that must be filtered and removed from the final point clouds. In the present study, the laser scanning data was processed by removing unwanted and scattered points in each individual scan and combined scans using Trimble RealWorks® Software (Fig. 9 ). After registration step, the scan explorer was used to extract the point clouds to create different types of models, such as Ortho-images, 2-D plans, point cloud models, and mesh models. Result And Discussion To document existing buildings and restore the historical monuments, it is vital to know their geometry. This study aims to create a 3-D digital model for Abu Simbel temple. Data collected from the area was used to create digital models outcome from point cloud modelling. Using these models, one can graphically preserve this historical building and maintain all necessary information about it. After processing the dataset and obtaining a preliminary model for the temple's building, it was available to generate a 3-D visualization model of the architectural elements and the general building's structure. The first product derived from the collected point cloud is a detailed 3-D point clouds model for Abu Simbel temple facade that has numerous architectural features, as shown in (Fig. 10 ). In terms of 3-D color model quality, how well Trimble's system would integrate with the photographing device is a great importance. Furthermore, these results also demonstrate that the model can graphically restore the scanned object as accurately as possible, including all necessary information about the temple. On the other hand, (Fig. 11 ) illustrates a 3D visualization of the temple's interior in RGB and Grey-scale modes. The interior part of this building consists of three halls, which can be clearly seen in this visualization. The first hall is an atrium with eight pillars, four on each side. Images and hieroglyphs illustrate Ramesses II's supposed victory at the Battle of Kadesh in the first hall. The second hall has four decorated pillars in the middle of the temple. In the third atrium area, three other gods, including Ra-Harakhty, Amun, and Ptah, are seated with Ramesses II on a bench. In the next step, we will create a 3D point cloud model for the temple using Trimble RealWorks® software. This software uses a register point cloud and can provide tools for creating simple to complex 3D mesh models. The computation of point clouds occurs first, followed by the construction of all point clouds. As a result of the previous step, mesh models are computed (Triangulation step); finally, we get the mesh model as shown in (Fig. 12 ) that shows converting gray points or colored points into a mesh model. To create a mesh model, reducing the total number of point clouds is essential by resampling the data with a defined resolution. The first resampling reduced the level of detail to 0.2 cm. Roughly 438 million triangles are created in this mesh model. The temple model is accurate in terms of its structure and size because height and width measurements are taken using point cloud models. This is during the generation of 3D building models. Furthermore, terrestrial laser scanning allows quick digitization of real-world objects and provides a complete data set that is easy to interpret. This is not only a result of the points cloud but also through the images recorded. Hence, a complete plan is created, including all existing details, so there is no possibility of accidental omissions of any element. This study used a common method to delineate traditional architectural line drawings for plans, elevations, and sections. Through the point cloud export, we could trace the plans based on the same measurements obtained from the laser scan. To draw the facades with architecture and basic characteristics of the temple, the team exported the point clouds from Trimble Real works as DWG or DXF files. In (Fig. 14 ), we can see that the documentation is highly accurate, thanks to the elimination of errors from manual measurements that were based on the real dimensions. The Virtual Tour of Abu Simbel Temple Finally, a virtual tour of the Abu Simbel temple was created to let users explore various locations while promoting historical awareness and temple documentation. A virtual tour enhances and provides users with value to share comprehensive information about the temple. Using technology, temples can now be enhanced with digital content which is suitable for both historical and cultural context. A user could be immersed in a manufactured, fictional world known as virtual reality. The virtual reality involves a deep inundation into a virtual world without direct interaction with the immediate physical environment. The 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro software creates interactive virtual tours by generating realistic interactive panoramas. Therefore, users can visualize high-quality panoramas using 360 ° panoramic images. The multi-platform software can be displayed on Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Android in any Web browser. Users can navigate the panorama (look left, right, up, and move from one panorama to the next, just as if they were moving from one room to another). Moreover, it is possible to open information windows with text, video, and graphic data that offer more details about a certain panorama object. A background sound for the virtual tour can be applied for a more interactive experience. To produce a virtual tour for the temple, its model was loaded as a point cloud into the game engine Unreal Engine 2.24. In addition to loading point clouds, the lidar point cloud sample plugin needs to be installed on software through epic games. Abu Simbel temple data was exported in LAS format file for the Unreal Engine (XYZ, TXT, PTS, and LAS) and then it was easy to be imported. However, due to the project sampling there was an error through importing the point cloud in Unreal Engine software. Therefore, gaps between points must be increased to provide appropriate details for the temple. A point budget level-of-detail system uses a point budget approach to maintain steady performance levels disregarding the cloud density`s variations. This setting determines the maximum number of points to be displayed on the screen at any specific time. Higher values produce better image quality, but this will require more advanced hardware. Additionally, several cameras were distributed in the project, and 360 images were generated. The high-quality 360° photos and videos obtained with UE4 could be then used to visualize virtual tours with the 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro program. After selecting 360 ° panoramic images, hotspots were added to link the images together for easy navigation, furthermore these hotspots would be icons or polygons. Visitors might interact with objects in the scenes during their visit to activate multimedia contents (audio, text, and images). The tour was composed of 61 panoramas for more distinctive navigation, as shown in (Fig. 14 ). Moreover, a map was added to the tour to clarify the user's location for easy navigation. In addition to the user`s navigation, the model could be also exported standalone or via the web. The user would navigate temple through multiple platforms, including mobile, PC, tablet and head mounted display (Fig. 15 ). Conclusions The value of the cultural heritage may change over time due to a variety of internal and external factors. So, any nation must have an inventory and documentation of its cultural heritage, especially for the preservation of archaeological monuments like ones found in Egypt and are highly appreciated. Documentation stored in information systems and software helps greatly for restoration in case of occurring any damage due to earthquakes, floods, fires, etc. In this study, laser scanning is deuced to be effective in obtaining a (3-D) model (a point cloud, mesh, and virtual reality models) at Abu Simbel temple and extracting cross and longitudinal sections. Complete and accurate models can be obtained using laser scanning in less time and with less effort than they would have with a traditional measuring technique. As an important outcome for the current study, we could digitize and visualize 3-D model cultural heritage for Abu Simbel temple, which enabled us to develop and generate a full visualization model for the temple. Further, obtaining a 360° photo of the temple has great importance and efficiency: spherical panoramas have proven useful in enhancing Cultural Heritage through virtual reality. To reinforce the results, such type of information can be combined with traditional drawings of the architectural representation since they are more concerned with a visual aspect than with a metric one. Finally, the immense amount of data collected could be used to promote further proposals, particularly concerning integration with restoration projects. In other words, it is possible to provide the virtual tour with useful preservation information, so that restorers can access a straightforward database that contains all the techniques that have occasionally been used, enabling them to access this database in real-time Declarations A cknowledgements This work was performed under the financially supported framework of the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), project No.37067. Moreover, many thanks to Prof. Gad El-Kady, president of NRIAG who contributed to this research. A uthor contributions A.M. and H.G. conceived of the presented idea. A.E. performed the measurements and analyzed data and figures. A.G. and A.O helped supervise the project. A.E. wrote the manuscript with support from A.G and A.O. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. F unding This research was funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) with the project number 37067. A v ailability of data and materials The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. C ompeting interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. A uthor details 1National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Egypt. 2Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt. References Guan, H., Li, J., Cao, S., & Yu, Y. (2016). 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Elbshbeshi","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABPUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCQYDhocNDAxsDAkMDIwNYDHDByBxMEjAoSURTYuxAVFaGJC0mEngcxf/7OaNDxJ32EXzsSewbvgIZOi2N2+rLtxjIS/vwP7wwwMGG7sGNEvuHCs2SDyTnNvG84Dt5kwgY9uZY2W3ZzyTMNx4gMdYIoEhLRlNC8ONHDOJxDbm3DaJBLbbvEDGNqDIbZ4DEowbG3hAHjycjKZD/kaO+Y/EtnqYlvrcbfffmBUDtdhvbGB/BtTyH12LAdBMhsS2wzAth4G28JgxA7UkzgeGA1DLATs0LYZAvwAddhzqFyBj25m0YmmgluQNzCC/GCSjh7Pc7eaNHz62VefOb09guwFibDt+eONnngN1tvPb2x9+/FFhZ48nvD+gufkwmITGGlFAHqoUjy2jYBSMglEwMgAAaSx8N6Y10/IAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdelhamid","middleName":"","lastName":"Elbshbeshi","suffix":""},{"id":143240710,"identity":"1145a539-8c4a-4832-a2cf-16a53e39a8c2","order_by":1,"name":"Ahmed Gomaa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"","lastName":"Gomaa","suffix":""},{"id":143240711,"identity":"ce24af17-8a03-4834-9925-ffcc15a20428","order_by":2,"name":"Abdelmonem Mohamed","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdelmonem","middleName":"","lastName":"Mohamed","suffix":""},{"id":143240712,"identity":"a9c0d24f-25e2-4919-89b6-c4f77370a10e","order_by":3,"name":"Amal Othman","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Amal","middleName":"","lastName":"Othman","suffix":""},{"id":143240713,"identity":"c805bf4e-a367-49ec-a3dc-d3cf547f2b8a","order_by":4,"name":"Hosni Ghazala","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hosni","middleName":"","lastName":"Ghazala","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2022-10-09 12:29:10","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":27745526,"identity":"bb577ba7-77ca-4246-82c0-d928335786d6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:58:48","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":688015,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLocation map of Abu Simbel temple Aswan area, Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image001.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/ac904a6a5f2cce57a46f98d0.png"},{"id":27745502,"identity":"1bdbb28f-1b31-45c2-8587-71e761436109","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:53:48","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1806945,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eIn the two images at the top, the Great Temple at its original location is shown in 1905 (Source: Oriental Institute, Chicago University Archive).In the lower photo, Ramesses II's Great Temple is shown on the left and Nefertari's Small Temple on the right.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image002.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/03f42e01c1f850800d9e6b75.png"},{"id":27745247,"identity":"6796821a-5ac7-4f84-a566-e3a361e82b8c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":228946,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA flow chart showing the different stages for survey.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image003.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/6be854ad67957e06d50192d7.png"},{"id":27745409,"identity":"bad941a7-7922-432a-bf52-af431b164618","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:48:48","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":916939,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSurveying Abu Simbel temple's interior and exterior parts with Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) TX6.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image004.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/47de5d05f9bbc219f5295979.png"},{"id":27745060,"identity":"d2d65db7-bc0f-4e34-80a8-6b555f07c258","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:38:48","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":663763,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGeodetic ground control points around the temple.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image005.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/da0b687b0c76662ddc013555.png"},{"id":27745250,"identity":"5e54e64a-8f43-434a-972b-6ed3d7f65f32","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":559946,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBlack and white flat targets specified within black squares that surveyed using Total Station “Trimble S5”.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image006.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/a2c3fb0dcc1d9bdd27112b20.png"},{"id":27745055,"identity":"c3e35217-b049-4e7d-a706-317bc6412e5c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:38:48","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":526069,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a) Distribution of 52 scan stations selected surrounding the Abu Simbel temple (green triangles represent exterior stations in facades and red triangles represent interior stations at halls and rooms). (b) The location of 40 scan stations has been selected inside Abu Simbel.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image007.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/447502d1ef6ed0da122975f0.png"},{"id":27745058,"identity":"3fa0beb0-1925-484e-9370-b9dd79058058","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:38:48","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":423271,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a) 3-D register point clouds in Great Abu Simbel temple and (b) Registration report showing overall cloud to cloud error.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image008.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/549b4c774be5ebd222344710.png"},{"id":27745412,"identity":"ae0ce306-4d42-4df6-9cc6-91c1d17438b6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:48:48","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":811505,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAn example of cleaning noise in hall 3 inside the temple can be seen in the top and bottom images. The top picture shows point clouds with noise, and the bottom image shows the cleaned model.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image009.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/30438bd26f965e22b5c56216.png"},{"id":27745067,"identity":"235dbdb8-bb6e-44b9-a9cc-30e3c5aa671e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:38:49","extension":"png","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":975760,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVisualize the model captured on the exterior of Abu Simbel temple. a) In RGB mode of the main facade and the temple door. b) Color mode, gray scale mode and intensity mode respectively of the face of Ramses II.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image010.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/ae0396ef04f2ab32be90fbfe.png"},{"id":27745410,"identity":"075b9782-c41a-4732-b54a-ecf7f3e38d8e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:48:48","extension":"png","order_by":11,"title":"Figure 11","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1814173,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e3D visualize model captured on the interior part of Abu Simbel temple. a) An examples of gray scale mode of Halls and rooms inside the temple and b) An examples of RGB mode of Halls and rooms inside the temple.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image011.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/d4b086564b7f88933eead7a4.png"},{"id":27745254,"identity":"9626cbd3-f340-41e1-943a-4246f2efbe2f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":12,"title":"Figure 12","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":396114,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAn example in hall 2 of converting gray points clouds or coloured points into a mesh model.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image012.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/b19284cdfdec45f6bf63d90c.png"},{"id":27745249,"identity":"ad62c330-59bc-47c8-8e76-be54d0ffcaab","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:43:48","extension":"png","order_by":13,"title":"Figure 13","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":54440,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSection report on the Abu Simbel temple built in a CAD system.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image013.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/eb55419b3f6a5b77868b2245.png"},{"id":27745414,"identity":"718cf2f5-11df-475b-9d32-1ad2e1509c21","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:48:48","extension":"png","order_by":14,"title":"Figure 14","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":588186,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAn example of panoramic images in the Abu Simbel temple.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image014.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/57f882f154bc5ae0f90a4c97.png"},{"id":27745257,"identity":"00e0583f-bb36-44a2-94b5-52914f93f0af","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-10-13 18:43:49","extension":"png","order_by":15,"title":"Figure 15","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":717194,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe virtual tour displayed in PC.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image015.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/ac155aa339cc451a283f34ba.png"},{"id":28878213,"identity":"1bbb1790-94aa-448a-831a-c4608eda5851","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2022-11-09 21:59:28","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":13678237,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2147674/v1/3a472b3c-f854-4807-805c-fb505cf3c814.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel.","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe temple of Abu Simbel comprises the Great Temple of Ramses II while the smaller temple named Nefertari, and they became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979s. In the present days, three-dimensional (3-D) technology is widely used in various applications, such as road maintenance, urban planning, surveying for industrial use, and heritage preservation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. In these systems, a point cloud is commonly generated, representing a large set of data exhibiting the object's scanned points, including coordinates, intensity, and color [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. There are several processing procedures when working with point clouds, such as classifying indoor or outdoor objects by categories, creating 2-D or 3-D cross sections, creating measurements, and extracting specific objects [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. A laser scanner technology creates high-resolution data and digital model files that can be used to capture objects quicker and with more accurate details [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. It is very easy to visualize and process a point cloud using Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), allowing for cross-sectioning, part isolation, measurement, and visualization all sides, which is extremely useful for documentation. Using this method, very large objects such as churches and monuments might be documented in a short time, as very small objects would be such jewellery makers [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLaser scanning might be helpful to get accurate measure and model objects with intricate details, which provides all information in a short time without losing the resolution of the image. Further, it is especially used to document historical and valuable objects with the accuracy you need and provide more details with high accuracy in x, y, and z directions. Following that, the surveyed point cloud was modelled using appropriate software to generate the nearest to reality model of the objects. In some cases, photogrammetry and traditional methods are not suitable for heritage recording, but laser scanning is able to produce a huge number of points quickly, causing it more suitable for 3-D surveying [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecently, TLS has been used in the documentation and preservation of historical buildings that facade complex decisions making because of the limited reliable information. So, managers can make critical decisions in managing problems due to the allowed information after documenting the historical buildings [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, 3-D digital heritage models can be used to accurate and efficient document structures remotely (which was not possible using old surveying methods) because of their excellent digital information system capabilities for displaying, analyzing, and archiving all information related to these structures [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Several countries depend heavily on tourism industry for their economic growth. History and culture must merge with the digital world so they can be preserved, animated, reality augmented, etc. Rebuilding historical sites is easy, but restoring real cultural heritage is the future.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvery day, more discoveries are being made in Egypt that add to the cultural assets inventory. Abu Simbel temple is considered one of the most common archaeological temples in Egypt. This study aims to create three-dimensional digital models of the Great Abu Simbel temple, monitor deflection and deformation, and document interior and exterior parts that indicate the temple's cultural significance.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Study Area","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe studied area is located southern part of Egypt-near the Sudanese border. Abu Simbel Temple lies on the west bank of the Nile River, approximately 280 Km southwest of Aswan city (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The construction of the temple was finished in 1206 BC, and it consists of two temples: the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller temple that is named the Nefertari temple (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The two temples have been added to UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979s. The Great Temple housed the deities Amun-Ra, Ptah, and Ra-Harakhty, as well as the pharaoh himself, while the smaller temple housed Hathor and Nefertari-meritmut [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. During the reign of Ramesses II (19th dynasty), both massive rock structures were constructed to commemorate Ramesses II\u0026apos;s victory over Muwatalli II and the Hittites [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. The temples were mostly forgotten until the late 19th century when they were buried in the Western Desert. However, Abu Simbel temple was discovered in 1812 CE by explorer Burckhardt [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEgyptian authorities began construction of the High Dam in the 1960s after realizing its necessity to control the annual flooding of the Nile [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. After the High Dam was built, Nasser Lake formed behind it, which led to the submersion of the original location of Abu Simbel Temples. As part of an international salvage campaign, Abu Simbel temple was relocated during (1964 -1968s) to its current position [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe temple was cut into many blocks, and reconstructed in the highest position, 65 meters above sea level, and rebuilt backward by about 210 meters compared with the older coastline. The blocks of the temple were rebuilt on an artificial rock cliff by an international group of engineers, who restored the biannual solar phenomenon that characterized the great temple [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. As a result of the temple reconstruction, the phenomenon has shifted by one day, as it previously appeared on 21st February and 21st October.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a danger to the current location of Abu Simbel temples, both from natural processes and human activities. Abu Simbel City is located near to two wadi outlets, and when compared with the surrounding areas, this proximity makes the peninsula more vulnerable to flooding. Additionally, Abu Simbel temples lie directly below a deep fault or fracturing zone that has been identified as seismically active [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. One of the four Ramesses II statues flanking the Great Temple ultimately has collapsed due to an earthquake [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, the Great Ethiopian Dam is constructed on the Blue Nile and considered one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Africa. Given Ethiopia\u0026apos;s extremely high elevation of approximately 500 m above sea level, any minor fractures or breakage in this 155 m dam would cause irreversible damage to archaeological and historical sites along the Nile River in both Egypt and Sudan which have lower elevations relative to Ethiopia. Ahmed and Elsanabary (2015) [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e] reported that Egypt and Sudan might suffer from devastating floods, particularly near the Senner Dam near the Sudanese capital, and Nasser Lake in Egypt.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eA scanning process leads to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process involving three steps [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]: modeling geometry for the object, mapping the object category and the component`s properties, and establishing relationships among them. In the current study, the data was collected and organized in four main stages, as shown in (Fig. 3); the first stage began with planning Abu Simbel temple building\u0026apos;s survey and visualizing the locations of the scan stations before starting the on-site stage. The second stage includes data acquisition the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Trimble TX6 outside and inside the temple using flat targets from various heights. The third stage involves data preprocessing and registration for the point cloud. The final stage was to produce a 3-D model to document and preserve the study area. These stages have been applied and explained briefly as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"Section3\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eTerrestrial Laser Scanner \u0026quot;Trimble TX6\u0026quot;\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe technology of laser scanners enables the measurement of a wide variety of points located on the monitored building or object without being accessible; the scanner emits a laser beam that is reflected by the object being measured. In order to measure a characteristic point on the surface of an object, three steps are necessary: slope distance, horizontal angle \u0026alpha;, and vertical angle \u0026beta;. A \u0026quot;point cloud\u0026quot; represents the data produced by these measurements which considered as a set of points exhibiting the monitored object [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDuring this survey, Trimble TX6 laser scanner was used. It is a full-featured laser scanner, providing a sophisticated solution for acquiring accurate data. It is combined with Trimble RealWorks\u0026reg; software to provide a comprehensive geospatial scanning solution. It has a field view of 360\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e*317\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e and can cover full density scans, as shown in (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). It has a measuring rate of 500,000 points per second while maintaining scan quality range, and it contains an integrated HDR camera to color scans, simple onboard interface with no complicated settings, built-in WLAN for remote control from any mobile device. The range of TX6 ranges from 80 to 100 meters however it might reach 120 meters. Trimble TX6 data is loaded directly into Trimble Scan Explorer\u003csup\u003e*\u003c/sup\u003e and Trimble RealWorks\u0026reg; to make registration and extraction of 3-D models and to produce powerful deliverables. The Trimble TX6\u0026apos;s scanning characteristics are described in Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eScanning Characteristics of Trimble Station TX 6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSCANNER/CHARACTERISTIC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrimble TX6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLaser Class\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3R\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eScanning method\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime-of-flight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVertical field of view (\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e317\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHorizontal field of view (\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e360\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMinimum range\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6 m\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaximum range\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80 m to 100 m on most surfaces\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReflectivity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;90% reflectivity with standard range 2 m to 80 m\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eScanning speed (pts/sec)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e500,000 pts/sec\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRange systematic error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2 mm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProcessing software\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrimble RealWorks\u0026reg;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTilting sensor\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDual axis compensation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eGlobal Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGNSS surveys require different approaches for planning, executing, and processing. In order to plan GNSS surveying properly, it is necessary to think about several factors, including the configuration of the site or satellites, the status of the satellite, moreover the number and the type of the used receivers. For Abu Simbel temple, five ground control points in UTM coordinate system were established around the temple as shown in (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The coordinates were determined by a Trimble R-8 GNSS receiver to provide a geo-referenced model for the temple as shown in Table \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. The measurement baselines were analyzed using the Trimble Business Centre (TBC) software package, as well as other software for calculating adjustment and deformation parameters. Using the International GNSS Service (IGS) stations, the reference stations are used to calculate coordinates precisely within the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFive control points are measured in the area with coordinates X, Y, and Z:\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoint ID\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLatitude\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLongitude\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHeight (Meter)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGPS1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN22\u0026deg;20\u0026apos;33.99352\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eE31\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;30.97976\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e208.439\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGPS2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN22\u0026deg;20\u0026apos;00.79518\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eE31\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;22.57320\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e205.628\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGPS3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN22\u0026deg;20\u0026apos;12.78655\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eE31\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;39.41321\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e194.970\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGPS4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN22\u0026deg;20\u0026apos;23.78150\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eE31\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;21.91291\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e206.312\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGPS5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN22\u0026deg;20\u0026apos;21.30797\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eE31\u0026deg;37\u0026apos;29.89393\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e198.469\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eTotal Station \u0026ldquo;Trimble S5\u0026rdquo;\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe total stations are optical-electronic devices that combine an electronic transit theodolite with an electronic distance meter (EDM) for modern construction and surveying. In other words, it could integrate between electronic data accumulators, microprocessors, and storage systems. Using this microprocessor, data can be processed to define the point coordinates, horizontal distance, and level decrease. Such device detects the vertical and horizontal angles and the distances between items and instruments. In the current study, black and white flat targets were measured by S5 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;6), which was linked to a reference point to form the accurate coordinates (Northing (X), Easting (Y), and Elevation (Z)) for each point in the final model. Data from the total station were transferred to a computer to calculate the results for the surveyed points using some specialized software.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eData Acquisition\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTrimble TX6 has a field of vision of 360\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e*317\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e and a resolution of 0.004 angular meters and can collect data up to 120 meters away. Each laser pulse produces a point cloud with coordinates X, Y, and Z with reflection intensity. To geo-reference the gathered data by Laser TX6, it is essential to set up an array of retroreflectors (Black and White flat targets) that are considered as control points. These control points have been measured by S5 applying a local coordinate system set up during the survey. The scans from different scanner locations will be grouped into one project and then converted into a world coordinate system.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn current research, Abu Simbel temple was covered in 52 scans for outdoor and indoor parts (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003ea). Twelve scans covered the external facade of the temple with 25 flat targets that were used during data acquisition. On the other hand, the interior of the temple consists of three halls and several rooms that were surveyed by 40 scans (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003eb). For each scan, the images` scanning and capturing took an average of about 21 minutes, whereas the entire project completed in 5 days, excluding the planning before data collection. All scans inside and outside the temple were done at level 3. The data acquisition procedure was executed in two steps, laser scanning followed by image capture, and data about the geometry and intensity of facade data were captured using TX6..\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdditionally, RGB values of the geometric object were captured by the integrated HDR camera in the laser TX6, with each scan capturing six images in all directions (Top, bottom, left, right, front, and back) to create a panorama view for the surrounding area. Using Trimble RealWorks\u003csup\u003e\u0026reg;\u003c/sup\u003e 12.2 software, all of the recorded digital data for the facades of the temple building were automatically stored in the laptop after completing the acquisition step. The procedure of point cloud processing includes checking and cleaning data to ensure that the resulting point cloud represents accurately the underlying objects. Finally, a complete visualization model for Abu Simbel temple has been created by registering these point clouds to the World Geodetic System (WGS84).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"Section3\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eData processing and Registration\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn the registration procedure, multiple point clouds were aligned into a well-stratified point cloud model using spatial transformations (e.g., scaling, rotation, translation, etc.). There are two approaches for registration: cloud-to-cloud and target-based registration. Cloud-to-cloud registration utilizes overlapping scan data to register two or more-point clouds, while target-based registration uses black and white flat targets that are surveyed by the total station [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. In this survey, both methods of registration have been applied. On the exterior part of the temple, the total station was used to calculate the precise coordinates from scan numbers 1 to 4, which contain black and white flat targets to serve as geo-reference points, while overlapping was used to calculate the remaining scans in the exterior part. In the interior part of the temple, the overlapping between each scan was used to point cloud register (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ea), and the overall cloud-to-cloud error was 2.72 mm (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003eb). Registration of the 3D point cloud was done using Trimble RealWorks\u0026reg;. The data filtering process was used to correct and remove selected scan points from the geometric object to ensure that the geometric object had an active target representing the range of colours for fit.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAfter geometric objects have been correctly merged, the colour information from the Integrated HDR camera would be combined with the registered 3-D point clouds. After the final registration of all scans, the resulting 3D point cloud model has an accuracy of 2.5 mm. The following step of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in AutoCAD would be used to render and complete the documentation.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe process of cleaning point clouds is a difficult step and is as essential part of the processing [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. The scan scene must be free of unwanted objects while keeping visual reference points accessible. It is vital to avoid stationary or moving objects, such as moving people, vehicles, and furniture, from the scan, which obscure certain scanned elements and would add noise, or undesirable point data that must be filtered and removed from the final point clouds. In the present study, the laser scanning data was processed by removing unwanted and scattered points in each individual scan and combined scans using Trimble RealWorks\u0026reg; Software (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e). After registration step, the scan explorer was used to extract the point clouds to create different types of models, such as Ortho-images, 2-D plans, point cloud models, and mesh models.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Result And Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eTo document existing buildings and restore the historical monuments, it is vital to know their geometry. This study aims to create a 3-D digital model for Abu Simbel temple. Data collected from the area was used to create digital models outcome from point cloud modelling. Using these models, one can graphically preserve this historical building and maintain all necessary information about it. After processing the dataset and obtaining a preliminary model for the temple's building, it was available to generate a 3-D visualization model of the architectural elements and the general building's structure. The first product derived from the collected point cloud is a detailed 3-D point clouds model for Abu Simbel temple facade that has numerous architectural features, as shown in (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e). In terms of 3-D color model quality, how well Trimble's system would integrate with the photographing device is a great importance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, these results also demonstrate that the model can graphically restore the scanned object as accurately as possible, including all necessary information about the temple. On the other hand, (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e) illustrates a 3D visualization of the temple's interior in RGB and Grey-scale modes. The interior part of this building consists of three halls, which can be clearly seen in this visualization. The first hall is an atrium with eight pillars, four on each side.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImages and hieroglyphs illustrate Ramesses II's supposed victory at the Battle of Kadesh in the first hall. The second hall has four decorated pillars in the middle of the temple. In the third atrium area, three other gods, including Ra-Harakhty, Amun, and Ptah, are seated with Ramesses II on a bench.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the next step, we will create a 3D point cloud model for the temple using Trimble RealWorks\u0026reg; software. This software uses a register point cloud and can provide tools for creating simple to complex 3D mesh models. The computation of point clouds occurs first, followed by the construction of all point clouds. As a result of the previous step, mesh models are computed (Triangulation step); finally, we get the mesh model as shown in (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e) that shows converting gray points or colored points into a mesh model. To create a mesh model, reducing the total number of point clouds is essential by resampling the data with a defined resolution. The first resampling reduced the level of detail to 0.2 cm. Roughly 438\u0026nbsp;million triangles are created in this mesh model.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe temple model is accurate in terms of its structure and size because height and width measurements are taken using point cloud models. This is during the generation of 3D building models. Furthermore, terrestrial laser scanning allows quick digitization of real-world objects and provides a complete data set that is easy to interpret. This is not only a result of the points cloud but also through the images recorded. Hence, a complete plan is created, including all existing details, so there is no possibility of accidental omissions of any element.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study used a common method to delineate traditional architectural line drawings for plans, elevations, and sections. Through the point cloud export, we could trace the plans based on the same measurements obtained from the laser scan. To draw the facades with architecture and basic characteristics of the temple, the team exported the point clouds from Trimble Real works as DWG or DXF files. In (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig12\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e), we can see that the documentation is highly accurate, thanks to the elimination of errors from manual measurements that were based on the real dimensions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eThe Virtual Tour of Abu Simbel Temple\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinally, a virtual tour of the Abu Simbel temple was created to let users explore various locations while promoting historical awareness and temple documentation. A virtual tour enhances and provides users with value to share comprehensive information about the temple. Using technology, temples can now be enhanced with digital content which is suitable for both historical and cultural context. A user could be immersed in a manufactured, fictional world known as virtual reality. The virtual reality involves a deep inundation into a virtual world without direct interaction with the immediate physical environment. The 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro software creates interactive virtual tours by generating realistic interactive panoramas. Therefore, users can visualize high-quality panoramas using 360\u003csup\u003e\u0026deg;\u003c/sup\u003e panoramic images. The multi-platform software can be displayed on Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, and Android in any Web browser. Users can navigate the panorama (look left, right, up, and move from one panorama to the next, just as if they were moving from one room to another). Moreover, it is possible to open information windows with text, video, and graphic data that offer more details about a certain panorama object. A background sound for the virtual tour can be applied for a more interactive experience.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo produce a virtual tour for the temple, its model was loaded as a point cloud into the game engine Unreal Engine 2.24. In addition to loading point clouds, the lidar point cloud sample plugin needs to be installed on software through epic games. Abu Simbel temple data was exported in LAS format file for the Unreal Engine (XYZ, TXT, PTS, and LAS) and then it was easy to be imported.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, due to the project sampling there was an error through importing the point cloud in Unreal Engine software. Therefore, gaps between points must be increased to provide appropriate details for the temple. A point budget level-of-detail system uses a point budget approach to maintain steady performance levels disregarding the cloud density`s variations. This setting determines the maximum number of points to be displayed on the screen at any specific time. Higher values produce better image quality, but this will require more advanced hardware. Additionally, several cameras were distributed in the project, and 360 images were generated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe high-quality 360\u0026deg; photos and videos obtained with UE4 could be then used to visualize virtual tours with the 3DVista Virtual Tour Pro program. After selecting 360\u003csup\u003e\u0026deg;\u003c/sup\u003e panoramic images, hotspots were added to link the images together for easy navigation, furthermore these hotspots would be icons or polygons. Visitors might interact with objects in the scenes during their visit to activate multimedia contents (audio, text, and images). The tour was composed of 61 panoramas for more distinctive navigation, as shown in (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig12\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e). Moreover, a map was added to the tour to clarify the user's location for easy navigation. In addition to the user`s navigation, the model could be also exported standalone or via the web. The user would navigate temple through multiple platforms, including mobile, PC, tablet and head mounted display (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig13\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe value of the cultural heritage may change over time due to a variety of internal and external factors. So, any nation must have an inventory and documentation of its cultural heritage, especially for the preservation of archaeological monuments like ones found in Egypt and are highly appreciated. Documentation stored in information systems and software helps greatly for restoration in case of occurring any damage due to earthquakes, floods, fires, etc. In this study, laser scanning is deuced to be effective in obtaining a (3-D) model (a point cloud, mesh, and virtual reality models) at Abu Simbel temple and extracting cross and longitudinal sections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComplete and accurate models can be obtained using laser scanning in less time and with less effort than they would have with a traditional measuring technique. As an important outcome for the current study, we could digitize and visualize 3-D model cultural heritage for Abu Simbel temple, which enabled us to develop and generate a full visualization model for the temple. Further, obtaining a 360\u0026deg; photo of the temple has great importance and efficiency: spherical panoramas have proven useful in enhancing Cultural Heritage through virtual reality. To reinforce the results, such type of information can be combined with traditional drawings of the architectural representation since they are more concerned with a visual aspect than with a metric one. Finally, the immense amount of data collected could be used to promote further proposals, particularly concerning integration with restoration projects. In other words, it is possible to provide the virtual tour with useful preservation information, so that restorers can access a straightforward database that contains all the techniques that have occasionally been used, enabling them to access this database in real-time\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work was performed under the financially supported framework of the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), project No.37067. Moreover, many thanks to Prof. Gad El-Kady, president of NRIAG who contributed to this research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003euthor\u0026nbsp;contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA.M. and H.G. conceived of the presented idea. A.E. performed the measurements and analyzed data and figures. A.G. and A.O helped supervise the project. A.E. wrote the manuscript with support from A.G and A.O. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eF\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis\u0026nbsp;research\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;funded\u0026nbsp;by\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF)\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;project\u0026nbsp;number\u0026nbsp;37067.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ev\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eailability\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;data\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;datasets\u0026nbsp;used\u0026nbsp;and/or\u0026nbsp;analyzed\u0026nbsp;during\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;current\u0026nbsp;study\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;available\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;corresponding\u0026nbsp;author\u0026nbsp;upon\u0026nbsp;reasonable\u0026nbsp;request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eC\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eompeting\u0026nbsp;interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u0026nbsp;authors\u0026nbsp;declare\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;they\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;no\u0026nbsp;competing\u0026nbsp;interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003euthor\u0026nbsp;details\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Helwan, Egypt. 2Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuan, H., Li, J., Cao, S., \u0026amp; Yu, Y. 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Proceedings of ISARC, 2000.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026rlm;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArayici, Y., Khosrowshahi, F., Ponting, A. M., \u0026amp; Mihindu, S. A. (2009, May). Towards implementation of building information modelling in the construction industry. In Proceedings of the fifth international conference on construction in the 21st century: Collaboration and integration in engineering, management and technology, 1342-1351.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026rlm;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuillen, A. J., Crespo, A., G\u0026oacute;mez, J., Gonz\u0026aacute;lez-Prida, V., Kobbacy, K., \u0026amp; Shariff, S. (2016). Building information modeling as assest management tool. Ifac-Papersonline, 49(28), 191-196.\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026rlm;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Terrestrial Laser Scanner, Documentation, Total Station, Abu Simbel Temple, Modeling, Virtual Reality","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eConservation and restoration of heritage sites have recently become more popular through 3-D modelling and digital documentation of heritage. The main objective of the current study is to develop a digital documentation process for Abu Simbel temple, which is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt, focusing on its potential to replace obsolete methods of building heritage documentation using laser scanning. A combination of various techniques was used to produce a 3-D digital model. A precise geodetic network has been established around the temple, consisting of five points that helped in producing the 3-D model with geographic coordinates which through the rate of deformation around the temple could be calculated. Afterward, 52 scans of the temple facade and its interior parts were taken with the use of Trimble TX6 laser scanner. A 3-D digital model of the temple was obtained, encompassing geometric data, structural, architectural, and historical details as well as non-engineering data, including appearance, inscriptions, and material details. Outputs from the 3-D point cloud model exhibit a 6 mm spacing between points with a standard error of 4 mm and a standard deviation of 5 mm. In addition, a virtual tour was conducted in the temple including 61 panoramic images. Moreover, this a virtual tour would help in enhancing historical awareness, promoting tourism, and also enabling restoration work on any part that is vulnerable to deformation for any reason.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Applying geomatics techniques for documenting heritage buildings in Aswan region, Egypt: A Case study of the Temple of Abu Simbel.","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2022-10-13 18:38:46","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2147674/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"6bbcd4a5-256c-4f9f-8557-5a9fd8a491ba","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 13th, 2022","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2022-11-09T21:59:18+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2022-10-13 18:38:46","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2147674","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2147674","identity":"rs-2147674","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"cBFmMYwuxLRRLfASyISRj","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}