Project Duration: Ongoing
Start/End Date : 2007 - 

The Eternal Egypt web site includes an unprecedented experience of high-resolution images, three-dimensional reconstructions of Egyptian monuments and antiquities, as well as virtually-reconstructed environments, panoramic images, and panoramic views of present-day Egypt captured by robotic cameras located from the top of Karnak Temple to the streets of Old Cairo. An innovative, interactive map and timeline will guide Eternal Egypt visitors through Egypt's cultural heritage, while a "context navigator" presents the complex relationships between objects, places and personalities of Egypt's past in a unique, web-like display.
 
Partnering Organization(s):
Egyptian Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CultNat)
IBM
The Supreme Council of Antiquities 

Egyptian Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CultNat)

The Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage, CULTNAT, was established in January 2000, as a project operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. By presidential decree, CULTNAT became, in February 2003, a Center affiliated with Bibliotheca Alexandrina and supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, thus asserting its identity and gaining physical status.

Despite the fact that CULTNAT is a relatively new center, it already has a variety of ongoing programs, in addition to a vast network of cooperation with national and international organizations that are concerned with heritage. These programs, which cover many different aspects of the Egyptian cultural and natural heritage, seek to document the tangible and the intangible, i.e. archaeology, architecture, manuscripts, music, folklore, caricature, plastic arts, natural resources, among others.
While applying new technologies to documentation, massive amounts of data are digitally compiled and sorted, facilitating accessibility to data. CD-ROMs, as well as books, guides and other paper publications, are extracted from this huge database. For greater diffusion, CULTNAT is making information accessible through its website at: http://www.cultnat.org

IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. The company has more than 300,000 employees and does business in more than 160 countries. At IBM, we strive to lead in the invention, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics. We translate these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions, services, and consulting businesses worldwide.
In addition to Eternal Egypt, IBM's Corporate Community Relations unit has provided innovative technology grants for two other outstanding museum projects.

An IBM initiative to demonstrate how technology can bring unique works of art to people around the world led to the creation of an award-winning web site for the State Hermitage Museum in Russia, where some of the world's most magnificent art treasures are exhibited. Launched with a U.S. $2 million technology grant, this partnership between IBM and the Hermitage illustrates the compelling power of leading edge technology in bringing artistic legacies of the past to life.

With another technology grant from IBM Corporate Community Relations, researchers from the IBM Thomas J.Watson Research Center, in collaboration with Jack Wasserman, Professor Emeritus at Temple University, have created a near-perfect digital replication of Michelangelo's Florentine Pieta and pioneered what is perhaps the most comprehensive research project ever conducted on a single work of art. In the process, IBM developed new 3-D imaging technology, which can now be applied to the problem of digitizing very large priceless artistic masterpieces or works of architecture.
More information about IBM can be found at http://www.ibm.com.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities
 
The Supreme Council of Antiquities is the Government Body, in Egypt, concerned with - and responsible for - all aspects of running the Cultural Heritage of the Country; being in charge of its welfare, management, protection, conservation, preservation, exhibiting, documentation, research and media presentation. The support services for these tasks are undertaken by six Sectors; which cover all administrative, financial, legal, technical, engineering and scientific needs. The Six SCA Sectors are: The General Secretariat Sector, The Egyptian (Pharaonic) and Graeco-Roman Antiquities Sector, The Coptic and Islamic Antiquities Sector, The Antiquities and Museum Financial Support Fund Sector, The General Projects Sector and The Museums Sector.
 
14 Fakhry Abdel Nour St., Abbassyia, Cairo, Egypt; Tel 6859253: Fax 6831117
3 El Adel Abu Bakr St., Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt; Tel 7365645 : Fax 7357239
Website : www.sca.gov.eg
 
Project Mission : For the past three years, the Egyptian Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CultNat) and IBM have been working to bring the awe-inspiring experience of Egypt to the world through a project known as the Eternal Egypt.
Project Objective(s:) With the help of a $2.5 million grant of technology and expertise from IBM, the Eternal Egypt represents a unique partnership to use innovative IBM technologies and services to create an interactive, multimedia experience of Egyptian cultural artifacts, places and history for a global audience

Geographical scope(s) of project: Global
Countries involved :Egypt, United States

One page summary about the project:Attached
 
US involvement/contribution within the project : IBM is a U.S. company and a partnering organization in this project
 
Achievements/progress to date: A little over one year since the 100th anniversary of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, anyone with access to the internet is now able to enter a three-dimensional reconstruction of Tutankhamun's tomb,as it was when Howard Carter and his colleagues discovered it and wiped the dust of a grave of 3000 years age. The experience is only one small part of Eternal Egypt, which is accessible by handheld digital guides in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, by cell phone for visitors to the pyramids at Giza or the Luxor Temple in Upper Egypt, or through the Eternal Egypt web site.
 
Contact person for the project http://www.eternalegypt.org/EternalEgyptWebsiteWeb/HomeServlet?ee_website_action_key=action.display.contact_us&language_id=1