CAIRO: The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has completed the first phase of its historical documentation process of monuments in the city of Habu in the western bank of Luxor using aerial and terrestrial photography. The project comes as part of SCA's plan to archive Egypt's monumental areas that will also include the Pyramids and Saqqara. "This project aims at using the advanced techniques of aerial and three dimensional photography in documenting and reconstructing the monumental areas and exploring new archeological sites, Zahi Hawass, head of the SCA, said. The SCA will also conduct research to enhance urban planning around archeological sites while studying the effect of sand storms, wind streams. The research will entail suggesting methods to protect them from ecological and human threats especially underground and mineral water. Three dimensional models will be made for these monuments to visualize them at ancient times as well as drawing topographic plans to determine new pathways for visitors' free roaming in these sites. "We are cooperating in this project with the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences and Mubarak City for Scientific Research and Technological Application to conduct research on four major monumental areas in Luxor, Kings Valley at the western bank, the Pyramids and Saqqara with a cost of LE 950,000, Hawass added Habu city encompasses Habu temple built by Ramses III and dates back to the eighteenth family. Parts of the temple were built by King Amonhoteb and several buildings inscriptions were added during the roman and Ptolemy eras. "All the project's operations will be executed over a period of six to 12 months, Sabry Abd El Aziz, head of the Egyptian antiquities department at SCA, said. The inscriptions on the Habu temple's walls depict the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramses III as well as illustrations of him hunting wild bulls.
