Historical
As part of a collaboration with theAncient Egyptian Heritage and Archaeological Fund, foundation directed by the American Egyptologist Peter Lacovara, I undertook in 2016 with the help of Paul François (Research Engineer at the Laboratoire d'Archéologie Médiévale et Moderne en Méditerranée) to partially reconstruct the palatial complex of Amenhotep III in Malqatta (west bank of Luxor in Egypt).
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The 3D reconstruction project of the palace of Amenhotep III began with the desire to illustrate in a realistic way what the largest known Egyptian palace could look like. The initial goal was to produce one or two 2D views for American Egyptologist Peter Lacovara. But my 3D skills combined with those of Paul François pushed the project on a more ambitious path.
In 2016 and 2017, the great hall with columns leading to the throne room could be reconstructed as well as a short animated visit produced.
In 2018, I ventured further by modeling the stunning canopy housing the pharaoh's throne. The curator of the Houston museum in Texas, Tom Hardwick, took it as a model to exhibit it. Without funding or time to devote to it, the project was stopped.
In 2021, I decided to relaunch it in order to offer everyone the possibility of freely visiting this jewel of ancient Egypt.
It is now possible to visit it in 3D relief in different formats depending on the material means available to everyone (3D glasses).
Franck Monnier
Scientific work based on archeology
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Reconstitution de Nina de Garis Davies (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Photo de Franck Monnier
Photo de Franck Monnier (Musée du Caire)
© Franck Monnier
Photo de Franck Monnier
Photo de Franck Monnier (Musée du Caire)
The decorative elements revealed by the missions carried out during the 20th century, and more specifically those carried out by the Japanese University of Waseda in the 1970s and by the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the last decade, have made it possible to develop new views, with a high level of likelihood. These reflect the rich polychromy and the complexity of the ornamentations repositioned in their original context.
​This reconstitution work made it possible to reconstruct the royal canopy housing the pharaoh's throne. This is the result of research carried out on contemporary painted representations of the reign, then crossed with the few wooden fragments discovered on the spot and the largely preserved brick platform.
All this documentation makes it possible for the first time to offer a faithful view of a Pharaonic throne with its finely carved canopy, very richly painted and decorated, typical of one of the most prosperous periods of Egyptian history.
A collaboration with Laurent Hallé also made it possible to design the pharaoh in person, adorned with his rich finery.
Franck Monnier
Continuation of the project and prospects
Based on the work already done, I was able to offer more details and realism with new views and a virtual tour. The canopy and its throne were completed by applying the rich polychromy, then positioned in their immediate environment (throne room with columns, decorations and contemporary lamps).
The adjoining rooms (columned room and "king's chamber", apartments with their store) received the same attention.
In the more or less long term, the whole palace and its environment could be reconstituted. The overall objective is not to reconstruct all the halls of the palace (this would be a titanic and impossible task under current conditions), but to reproduce in detail rooms where many fragments and archaeological artefacts have been collected. I will then position them in the vast ensemble of buildings which will also be located within its Nilotic environment.
Franck Monnier