START-Project
"The Domitilla-Catacomb in Rome. Archaeology, Architecture and Art History of a Late Roman Cemetery"
Project leader: N. Zimmermann
The catacomb of Domitilla with its 15 km of subterranean galleries is not only the largest catacomb of Rome , it also provides an extensive insight into all phases and phenomena of an Early-Christian necropolis. Isolated pagan tombs and early anonymous community burials of the 3 rd century grew together during the 4 th century to form a huge net of galleries. After the end of the burial activities in the 5 th century, a subterranean basilica was the centre of a pilgrimage sanctuary with the graves of the martyrs Nereus and Achilleus up until the Middle Ages. With about 80 painted tombs, the Domitilla-catacomb also comprises one of the largest inventories of catacomb painting. Even after almost 400 years of research resulting in several studies from various disciplines, the catacomb is still insufficiently examined. With this, it represents a typical case of today's status questionis for the majority of the Roman catacombs: While the general lines of their origin and development are known, the individual history of every single catacomb has hardly been elaborated in detail because they have only rarely been dealt with as entire archaeological monuments. Mostly lacking is a complete documentation as a prerequisite for a scientific debate of modern methodical questions. Until now, the good preservation of the catacombs stand in a stark contrast with their scientific availability and research.
The goal of the Domitilla project On the basis of a digital documentation using the newest 3D-laserscan techniques, a virtual model is being generated for the first time. This will provide a totally new framework for the research on the catacomb. For instance, the topographic development can be reconstructed and extensively analysed. As a first focal point, the long overdue corpus of the paintings of the Domitilla-catacomb will be developed: many of the paintings that reach from pagan images of the early 3 rd century to the theologically fully developed Christian iconography in the tombs of the late 4 th century have not been published yet or have been disregarded in the scientific debate. In the three-dimensional model the tombs can be considered for their amount, distribution and appearance for the first time. The catacomb will be accessible for many different questions in a so far singular complexity. An international research team is analyzing the data in context with archaeological, art- and social-historical methods. In its micro-history, the Domitilla-catacomb reflects the general changes of the late-Roman society, which shall be depicted in a vivid and multi-faceted way. Project structure and team The Domitilla-project is a START-project financed by the BMWF and supervised by the FWF. It is established at the Institute for Studies of Ancient Culture (Prof. F. Krinzinger) of the ÖAW in Vienna , in cooperation with the workgroup for Christian Archaeology (Prof. Dr. R. Pillinger). It is carried out as an interdisciplinary teamwork in national cooperation with the Institute for Building Survey and Building History of the Technical University of Vienna (Prof. Dr. M. Döring-Williams). The international partners are the Pontificia Commissione di Archeologia Sacra in Rome (Prof. Dr. F. Bisconti) and the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (Prof. Dr. Ph. Pergola). The Austrian Historical Institute and the German Archaeological Institute in Rome provide important logistical assistance. Furthermore, manifold and straightforward support is always given by Riegl/NÖ( http://www.riegl.com ), and the TUWIL Scan-Center of Competence of the Technical University of Vienna ( http://tuwilscan.cg.tuwien.ac.at/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=44 ), which supplied the Scanner.
Scientific staff Dr. N. Zimmermann, ÖAW, archaeologist (project leader) Univ.-Ass. Dipl. Ing. Dr. G. Eßer, TU Vienna (supervisor of the documentation, architectural history) Dipl. Ing. I. Mayer, TU Vienna (project assistant, 3D-scanning and processing)
Independent Contactors Prof. Dr. Vasiliki Tsamakda, ÖAW, archaeologist Prof. Dr. A. E. Felle, archaeologist Prof. Dr. S. Schrenk, archaeologist Dr.Eng. A. Abdelhafiz Mathias Ganspöck, TU Vienna
Status and Progress of the Project – the first year (2006) After a brief preparation period the project started in January 2006. Since then, the archaeologists and architects of the team have been working in their particular fields, partly together in the catacomb for field studies, partly separately in the individual institutes for the analysis of the results. In the beginning the work was entirely geared towards the first goal of the project: the compilation of the repertory of paintings of the Domitilla-catacomb. Focal point of the work in the catacomb was the documentation with the 3D-laserscanner. Three scanning campaigns were carried out in 2006. The first campaign in January was of experimental nature and served to coordinate the modus operandi and the work sequence while scanning in the catacombs. A series of individual projects of standard situations was generated, of which some shall be shown: The scanner orientates itself on temporarily applied reflector points (Fig.1). In 360-degree panorama-scans it generates so-called point clouds, which reproduce the surrounding area of about 1 m distance as a 3D-structure. In order to connect several scans with each other, further scan positions with at least five already known reflector points are selected. At the same time as the scan, a digital camera mounted on the scanner produces photo data that can directly be applied onto the point cloud. The advantage of this method lies in the mobility of these point clouds, which can be viewed from the outside as well as the inside and which can be virtually entered. Depending on the projection and position, a ground plan, cross- and longitudinal sections and 3D views are retrievable. As an example of a small tomb with painting, the cubiculum of Veneranda in the Retrosanctos area behind the basilica was chosen (Fig. 2). The nine scan positions that were necessary for the complete documentation of the entire chamber are shown in the illustration. On the back wall the photo data of the painting in the arch of the arcosole is already applied; one can see the portrayal of the deceased Veneranda, who is lead into a paradise garden by Santa Petronilla.
The scans made of a group of chambers in a gallery in the Retrosanctos area were coloured after their allocation to specific tombs (Fig. 3). One can clearly see the light-wells that are closed off on top today (Fig. 4).
The situation in the Galleria dei Flavi, formerly an adit constructed with niches for burials with sarcophagi, which is completely painted, is especially complex (Fig. 5). The combination of architecture and painting impressively emerges by applying only a single photo onto the point cloud (Fig. 6).
Finally, the view of the entire region of the basilica and the Retrosanctos that was scanned in the first campaign gives a good impression of the potential of the 3D-laserscanning method. Furthermore, it allows movements and continuous view changes from the ground floor perspective (Fig.7) into side views (Fig. 8) on the computer.
A second focal point was the work on the compilation of photorealistic 3D-models of singular chambers that are endowed with painting. These models are an important enhancement for the repertory of paintings in comparison with the so far prevailing black-and-white drawings.
In the beginning the archaeological research concentrated on the paintings as well. Next to the work on the extensive bibliography for every single painting, the systematic stock-taking in the monument itself was the main focus in 2006. Several paintings were newly discovered and interpreted. The large amount of new material broadened our knowledge considerably, for example on the painting style of entrances and on new scenes in the repertoire of Christian images. They offer new approaches for interpretation and not least important information for the chronological classification of individual areas of the catacomb. The presentation of this new material is underway (see literature list).
Status and Progress of the Project – the second year (2007) During three scan campaigns in 2007 the documented area of the catacomb could be extended to about two thirds of the entire network of galleries. By the end of 2007 the by now huge point cloud consisted of over 1200 singular scan positions (Fig. 9). All the regions with paintings are covered.
For photorealistic 3D-models of painted burial chambers, meshed models are calculated from the point clouds by triangulation (Fig. 10), on which digital photos with a high resolution are applied (Fig. 11, 12), as seen here for the so-called Chamber of King David. Since autumn of 2007 a new software – the 3D-Analyst of the company ADAM-Tech ( Perth , Australia ) – is being used for the creation of 3D-models of areas with wall painting. The advantage of this new method is that the 3D-models with photos of high resolution can be generated directly on the basis of photo data.
For the preparation of the repertory of the paintings, the work on the bibliography and the manuscript was continued. Results of the project were presented and discussed at national and international meetings. Belonging to the most interesting discoveries are an image probably showing the main saints of the catacomb, the martyrs Nereus and Achilleus (Fig. 13), and a picture from the legend of Santa Thekla, which is the oldest image of her in Rome (Fig. 14). The publication of these findings are in preparation.
Status and Progress of the Project – the third year (2008) Until the beginning of 2009 the entire accessible area of the catacomb was documented in three further scanning campaigns. This phase of data collection could therefore be completed after nine scanning campaigns. All of the 1.800 singular scans were registered in one point cloud. The procedure to generate the 3D-models was once again refined; the work steps could partly be automated and therefore be significantly accelerated. The preparation of the repertory of paintings was pushed on. Especially to be mentioned is the discovery of the portrait and the lamp of the fossor Diogenes. His painting in the catacomb had been documented in its entirety by Boldotti in 1720 (fig. 15); today it is mostly destroyed. In course of the research important parts of the fresco were rediscovered in the Vatican Museums. Their virtual re-integration will now be carried out in course of the project.
After the evaluation by the international START-/Wittgenstein-Jury of the FWF, the START-project was prolonged for three years in October 2008. Status and Progress of the Project – the fourth year (2009) This year, the extensive work on the repertory of the Domitilla-paintings shall be completed.
Lectures – Press Review – Events January, 19: Padova, Università degli studi, Dipartimento di Archeologia. February 12-13: Incontro “Innovazione Tecnologica per l'Archeologia”, Roma. Programme at: http://vcg.isti.cnr.it/innovtecharch July, 01-03: Vienna , 9th Conference on “Optical 3D Measurement Techniques” 01.-03.07.2009, IX. Optical 3-D Measurment Techniques Conference, Vienna 29.10.2009 Kolloquim "3D in der Bauforschung: Vom Zollstock zum Laser", ÖHI und DAI Rom (PDF-file).
The project and its results were presented regularly during the last years:
2008 January, 14-16: Bologna , Interdisciplinary Colloquium “Vesuviana. Archaeologie a Confronto”. Videostream of the colloquium at http://streaming.cineca.it/vesuviana/ February, 28-29: Vienna , Austrian Day of Archaeology March, 13: Rome, Seminari di Archeologia Cristiana, PIAC: Gornata di studi “Scavi e scoperte recenti nelle chiese di Roma (a cura di F. Guidobaldi e. H. Brandenburg) April, 7: Bari, Università degli studi, Archeologia cristiana – Epigrafia Medievale, Dipartimento di Studi classici e cristiani. Easter: DVD-supplement to the weekly magazine “Spiegel” on the Roman catacombs Mai, 2-3: Greifswald ( Germany ), Meeting of the AGCA (Workgroup for Christian Archaeology) July, 1: University of Munich , lecture series of the society “Spätantike Archäologie und Byzantinische Kunstgeschichte e.V.” November, 4: Vienna , Workshop Archaeology and Computer. November, 8: Vienna, Lange Nacht der Forschung. November, 19: lecture at the archaeological society Innsbruck
Online reports: http://www.oeaw.at/home/thema/thema_200905_2.html
N. Zimmermann - V. Tsamakda, Das START-Projekt „Domitilla“. Arbeitsbericht über die Dokumentation und Erforschung einer römischen Katakombe unter Einsatz des 3D-Laserscanners, in: Mitteilungen zur Christlichen Archäologie Österreichs 13 (2007), 9-30. N. Zimmermann, La documentazione tridimensionale di Domitilla: Il laserscan di una catacomba romana, in: Akten des internationalen Kolloquiums „Vesuviana. Archeologie a confronto”, 14.-16.01.2008, Bologna (in print). N. Zimmermann, Nuove immagini da Roma: Una rappresentazione di S. Tecla nella catacomba di Domitilla, in: Akten des X. Internationalen Kongresses der AIPMA (Association Internationale pour la Peinture Murale Antique, Neapel 17.-22.09.2007) (in print). N. Zimmermann, Rilettura di pitture a Domitilla: Tracce del santuario damasiano dei Ss. Nereo e Achilleo?, in: H. Brandenburg – F. Guidobaldi (ed.), Atti della giornata tematica dei Seminari di Archaelogia Cristiana “Scavi e scoperte recenti nelle chiese di Roma”. Ponificicio Istituto di Archaeologia Cristiana (in print). N. Zimmermann - V. Tsamakda, Pitture sconosciute della catacomba di Domitilla, in: Riv. di Arch. Cristiana (in print). N. Zimmer mann - V. Tsamakda, Wilperts Forschungen in der Domitillakatakombe auf dem Prüfstand, in: S. Heid (Hg.), Giuseppe Wilpert Archeologo Cristiano. Atti del convegno (Roma 16-19 marzo 2007), 2009, 409-434. N. Zimmermann, Showing the Invisible – Documentation and research on the Roman Domitilla catacomb based on Image-Laser-Scanning and 3D-Modelling, in: A. Posluschny - K. Lambers - I. Herzog (Hg.), Layers of Perception. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) Berlin, Germany, April 2-6, 2007, Bonn 2008, 58-64 (together with G. Eßer)(PDF-file). G. Eßer - I. Mayer, „3d-geometry and 3d-texture. Documenting early-Christian wall paintings at the Domitilla Catacomb in Rome .” Proceedings 12. International Congress “Cultural Heritage and New Technologies” Workshop „Archäologie & Computer“, Rathaus der Stadt Wien, 5.-7.Nov. 2007, Veranstalter: Magistrat der Stadt Wien – Magistratsabteilung 7 – Referat „Kulturelles Erbe“ - Stadtarchäologie, ( CD publication in the proceedings of the same title)(PDF-file). Ders. - A. Abdelhafiz - G. Eßer - I. Mayer, Generating a Photo Realistic Virtual Model for the Large Domitilla-Catacomb in Rome, in: A. Grün/H. Kahmen (Hg.), Optical 3-D Measurement Techniques IX. Papers presented to the conference at Vienna, Austria, July 1-3, 2009, 38-47. (PDF-file) Ders. - C. Scheiblauer - M. Wimmer, Interactive Domitilla Catacomb Exploration, in: VAST 2009 – 10th International Symposium on Virtual Reality, Archaeology, and Cultural Heritage – Eurographics Symposium Proceedings. Hrsg: Kurt Debattista, Cinzia Perlingieri, Denis Pitzalis, Sandro Spina; 2009 Eurographics Association; Aire-la Ville, Schweiz; ISBN 978-3-905674-18-7; ISSN 1811-864X; 65-72. (PDF-file) We thank the following for their support: RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH
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