Moyens informatiques de restitution en archéologie monumentale : cas du temple de Karnak

The goal of our research is to explore and study the use of computerized tools in archaeological reconstruction projects of monumental architecture in order to propose new ways in which such technology can be used. The first question we ask is: "How and with which computerized tools can architectural reconstruction projects be conducted in archaeology?   In our quest to answer this question, we begin with a study of the different restitution approaches used in various phases of archaeological reconstruction projects. This involves understanding how the different methods of approach have evolved (epistemologically), how those involved in such projects have put information and communication technologies to use in the field of built heritage. This study has identified two main avenues: one whose sole aim is the "representation" of project results and another whose aim is to model this process in order to assist the archaeologist through various phases of a project. We have demonstrated that it is the second approach which combines and offers archaeologists a better utilization of the possibilities offered by computer assisted tools. This allowed us to demonstrate the complex and systemic nature of ICT’s in the field of archaeological reconstruction. The multiple actors, conditions, means and goals considered in archaeological reconstruction projects have led us to explore a new approach that reflects this complexity.  In order to achieve the goal of our research, it was necessary to further study the nature of the archaeological process. This involved understanding the links and interrelations between the various components that define the archaeological approach and the various thought processes involved in heritage building archaeological reconstruction projects. This study showed a direct relationship between the subjective nature of the process and the diversity of approaches and thought processes which can be implemented. This exploratory and propositional research reinforces the systemic and complex nature of our approach and prompts us to explore, in practice and through published literature, the elements of known reality. The study of archaeological reasoning through academic publications has allowed us to propose an initial typology of arguments studied. Each of these typologies reflects a methodological approach based on organized actions that can be recorded in a set of reasoning modules. This research has allowed us to highlight phenomena and observed processes, leading to a model representing interrelationships and interactions as well as the specific results of these complex interconnections. This pattern reflects a cyclical process of trial and error, in which the actors consecutively 'experience' (according to the project’s goals and through reasoning modules), several answers to the questions exposed to him under the corpus definition, description, structure, interpretation and validation of the results until the latter would appear to meet the original targets.   The model developed was validated through a case study of the seventh pylon of the Karnak temple in Egypt. The results show that the reasoning modules offer an interesting solution assisting archaeologists in archaeological reconstruction projects. The multiple action combinations offered by these modules are an advantage to many approaches and thought processes which could be useful to such projects while maintaining the progressive nature of the overall system.

Keyphrases: Architectural heritage, archaeological reconstruction, process and actions, Action-based modeling, Architecture and Complexity