Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and
Antiquities, in cooperation with the Atomic Energy Authority, is set to launch
the first workshop of its kind in Egypt that uses nuclear, radiological
and artificial intelligence techniques for the restoration and
documentation of ancient mummies and other human remains.
The workshop is organized by the
Department of Restoration of Mummies and Human Remains. Lasting for three days,
the workshop will be held with the participation of a group of experts and
specialists from the authority, the ministry, and the Faculty of Archeology in
Cairo University.
The head of the Central Department for
Maintenance and Restoration at the ministry, Manal Abdel-Moneim, said that the
Atomic Energy Authority’s laboratories have state-of-the-art technologies for
examining, maintaining and analyzing human remains without harming them. She
added that the Artificial Intelligence Division of the Atomic Energy
Authority will assist the restorers in performing their duties.
During the workshop, the technologies
used will be explained in an extensive manner by scientists within the
authority.
The director of the Mummies Restoration
Department, Rania Ahmed, stated that the use of AI technology in this field is
of major importance, as it keeps pace with the latest scientific developments
and allows for a non-invasive method of examining these mummies, thereby
preserving Egypt’s heritage.
She said that this marks the first time
in Egypt that AI technology will be used on mummies and human remains, and
added that it will go beyond preparing videos or reconstructing faces as it
will also be used in restoration work. Ahmed explained that training sessions
will take place on the use of AI in the restoration field.
She added that programs will be
reviewed which can help the restorer to evaluate the process of restoring
mummies and human remains before work even begins.
Restoration workers can use a special
program on a laptop or on a search iPad to take pictures of the
available bones of the remains, which can then be set-up through the program.
Source: Egypt
Independent