Digital Thebes: A Comprehensive Database for Egyptian Antiquities Education and Research
PI: Ziting Wang (Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies)
Level of effort appropriate for the proposed project:
2 semesters at 25% RA
Plan for funding tuition:
The PI will hire funded graduate students. In case the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies or the College of Liberal Arts does not have additional funding, the PI will secure alternative funding sources to cover the remainder of the researcher’s tuition.
Project Description
The “Digital Thebes” project aims to create a comprehensive, interactive website and database of digital educational resources focused on ancient Egyptian archaeological sites, particularly nonroyal tombs in the Theban cemetery in the New Kingdom period. This digital repository will serve as a crucial educational tool for students in CAMS15: Wonders of the Ancient World, CAMS20 (Egyptian Civilization), CAMS/RLST44 (Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Myth), CAMS/HIST104 (Egyptian History), and participants in the Study Abroad Program in Egypt that Prof. Wang leads annually.
Currently, Penn State University museums lack a collection of ancient Egyptian or Near Eastern artifacts that could serve as a teaching collection. The nearest museums with substantial Egyptian collections are the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, making regular physical access to authentic artifacts challenging for students. This digital platform will bridge this gap by providing immersive learning experiences regardless of geographical constraints.
The Digital Thebes database will be modeled after the renowned Theban Mapping Project (https://thebanmappingproject.com/) but will specifically focus on documenting non-royal tombs in the Theban cemetery, with particular emphasis on those featuring representations of foreigners engaged in trade and tribute presentation. This focus aligns with Prof. Wang’s research expertise in Egypt’s foreign relations and diplomacy during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BCE).
The database will include:
• High-resolution tomb plans and architectural reconstructions
• Photographic documentation of wall paintings and artifacts
• 360° photos and videos captured by Prof. Wang during research trips
• Photogrammetry models of artifacts and architectural elements
• Translated inscriptions with scholarly commentary
• Interactive maps showing geographical and historical context
• Educational modules aligned with course curricula
This resource will greatly enhance student learning by providing context-rich, visual materials that supplement traditional textual learning resources. Students will benefit from virtual access to these cultural heritage sites during course enrollment and will retain access after course completion, supporting ongoing independent research and continued learning.
Beyond serving immediate educational needs, the Digital Thebes project represents a valuable research tool for Prof. Wang and other scholars in Egyptology, archaeology, and ancient history. The project can be continuously expanded to include monuments in other significant Egyptian sites (Cairo, Saqqara, Giza, Alexandria) through Prof. Wang’s ongoing research activities and annual Study Abroad Program leadership.
The project aligns with ICDS’s mission by promoting interdisciplinary research through computational and data sciences, bridging humanities and technology in innovative ways to advance both research and teaching. It exemplifies digital humanities at its most effective: preserving cultural heritage, expanding access, and creating new modalities for understanding ancient civilizations.
Technical Expertise Requirements
The Digital Thebes project requires expertise in several computational and data science areas. We are particularly interested in recruiting Junior Researchers with skills in:
1. Web Development:
o Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Node.js, or PHP o Knowledge of modern web frameworks
o Familiarity with RESTful APIs and web services
2. Geospatial Technologies:
o GIS implementation for archaeological contexts
o Experience with web mapping libraries (Leaflet, MapBox, etc.)
o Spatial data organization and visualization
3. Database Management:
o Designing efficient database schemas for cultural heritage data
o Experience with SQL and NoSQL database systems
o Knowledge of data migration and transformation techniques
4. Data Modeling & Management:
o Structuring archaeological and historical data for efficient querying and display
o Developing data ontologies suitable for ancient material culture
o Creating standardized metadata frameworks for cultural heritage objects
5. Visualization & UX Design:
o Experience creating intuitive interfaces for educational platforms
o Knowledge of data visualization best practices
o Skills in designing accessible digital experiences
6. Content Management:
o Experience with CMS platforms
o Custom CMS development for specialized content types
o Knowledge of digital asset management systems
Requirements for ICDS Junior Researchers
Potential Junior Researchers should be able to:
• Attend weekly group meetings (schedule to be determined based on team availability)
• Collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary environment
• Work independently on assigned components while maintaining project integration
• Communicate complex technical concepts to team members with humanities backgrounds
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives for work supported by this call include:
1. Development of a prototype database structure and web interface by the end of the first semester
2. Integration of initial digital assets (tomb plans, photographs, 3D models) by mid-second semester
3. User testing with students enrolled in relevant courses during the second semester
4. Preparation and submission of a comprehensive grant proposal to secure long-term funding for project expansion
5. Submission of a scholarly paper documenting the project methodology and initial outcomes to a digital humanities or archaeological computing journal
Medium to Long-Term Goals
The medium to long-term goals of the Digital Thebes project include:
1. Creating a comprehensive, open-access digital collection of educational resources related to ancient Egyptian archaeology and history
2. Providing students in CAMS courses and the Study Abroad Program with immersive, interactive learning experiences that complement traditional pedagogical approaches
3. Establishing a sustainable framework for ongoing expansion of the database through annual additions from field research
4. Developing partnerships with museums and other institutions to expand the scope and impact of the digital collection
5. Creating a model for digital humanities projects that can be replicated for other ancient civilizations taught within the department
Connection to ICDS Mission
The Digital Thebes project directly supports ICDS’s mission by leveraging advanced computational and data science approaches to advance interdisciplinary research and teaching in the humanities. By creating a digital twin of archaeological sites and artifacts that are otherwise inaccessible to most students, the project demonstrates how computational methods can transform both research practices and educational experiences in fields traditionally less associated with digital technologies. The project exemplifies how data science can help preserve, analyze, and disseminate cultural heritage while creating new research opportunities across disciplines.
Engagement with ICDS
The team plans to work closely with ICDS, particularly through the Center for Immersive Experiences (CIE), to explore innovative ways to enhance the project’s impact. Prof. Wang intends to collaborate with CIE experts to develop immersive experiences for students using the Digital Thebes database, potentially including virtual reality reconstructions of tomb interiors and artifacts. Additionally, the team will engage with ICDS workshops and training opportunities to enhance our technical capabilities and explore new computational approaches to archaeological data. We aim to showcase the project at ICDS events to demonstrate the valuable intersection of humanities research with computational methods and to inspire similar initiatives across disciplines.