Ferdinand Saumarez Smith and Pedro Mirò recording the walls of Hypogea C © Otto Lowe | Factum Foundation
Over the course of a week, Pedro Miró, Otto Lowe, Ferdinand Saumarez Smith and Gabriel Coleman carried out a high-resolution recording of all the four funerary chambers, which are organised over two levels. Chamber A, B and C were recorded using LiDAR, photogrammetry and a portable version of the Selene Photometric Stereo Scanner; Chamber D was recorded with LiDAR. While the chambers share similar structural layouts, their decoration differs in their vibrant polychrome trompe-l’œil effects that imitate architectural details and luxurious furnishings.
Assembling the portable Selene PSS © Otto Lowe | Factum Foundation
The Portable Selene PSS recording the surface of one of the stone benches © Otto Lowe | Factum Foundation
Gabriel Coleman inspecting the detailed polychrome carvings © Otto Lowe | Factum Foundation
Recording the polychrome Medusa’s head with photogrammetry © Otto Lowe
Recording one of the objects from the hypogea using close-range photogrammetry © Otto Lowe | Factum Foundation
Tomb C in the Ipogeo dei Cristallini in Naples is possibly the best preserved Greek tomb known today. The highlight of the tomb is the polychrome head of Medusa. As access to the tomb is not possible for visitors with limited mobility, a facsimile—alongside physical and virtual models—will soon be installed at the entrance of this ancient underground burial complex in the Rione Sanità. The project has been made possible by a grant from the Regione Campania and reflects a longstanding commitment to making heritage accessible to everyone.
Montserrat Crespo working on the colour on the face of the Medusa. Most of the surface is printed to ensure objective accuracy – some parts require skilled interventions. © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation
The funerary chambers of the Ipogeo dei Cristallini are believed to be contemporary with the tomb attributed to Philip II in Vergina. The digital data has been incorporated into the conservation records managed by the Soprintendenza Archeologica, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per il Comune di Napoli, in collaboration with the Central Institute for Restoration of Rome (ICR), supporting both the long-term preservation and wider dissemination of the Ipogeo.
