Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) Geological investigations of selected - PDF document

Aerial view of Sheik abd el-Qurna Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) Geological investigations of selected Theban Tombs Why did many tombs that were cut into sedimentary rocks of the Theban Formation partially collapse? Martin Ziegler, Florian Amann Master in Engineering Geology Master topic proposals | 17/02/2015 | 1 Project framework  The Theban rock tombs are ~4000 years old  Cut into tilted sedimentary formations (lime- and marlstones, shales) Example: TT95 | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 2

Project framework  The Theban rock tombs are ~4000 years old  Cut into tilted sedimentary formations (lime- and marlstones, shales)  Many of the rock cut tombs show partial or entire collapse of pillars and ceilings  The damage is proposed to have happened during or soon after construction of the tombs  Archeologists from the University of Basel are working on some of the Theban Tombs  Study of timing and reasons of the collpase of the unique underground structures Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 3 Project location  Cairo Sheik Abd el-Qurna, Luxor ~1 hour flight from Cairo  Between the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens Luxor/ Theben | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 4

Project location  Cairo Sheik Abd el-Qurna, Luxor ~1 hour flight from Cairo  Between the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens Luxor/ Theben Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 5 Project location Dupuis et al. (2011) | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 6

Site Geology Southwestern flank of the Hills of Sheikh Abd el Qurna Dupuis et al. (2011) Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 7 Site Geology Southwestern flank of the Hills of Sheikh Abd el Qurna Dupuis et al. (2011) | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 8

Sheik Abd el-Qurna (Luxor) Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 9 Goals A. Detailed documentation of the geological settings of selected tombs B. Evaluate potential causes of early tomb damage and current stability Tasks A. Develop detailed geological maps of the tombs and their surroundings  Mapping will focus on lithology and on rock mass structures (fractures, faults, tension cracks)  How? In-situ investigation, aerial photo interpretation, analyse photogrammetric models and laser scans to obtain fracture statistics of different sedimentary rock layers B. Developed numerical models that reproduce the discrete nature of the rock mass and the construction sequence  Models will be built upon literature data (for geomechanical properties) and own field work  Carried out with a distinct element approach (e.g., 3DEC) | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 10

You will be integrated in a multi-disciplinary team  Dr. Andrea Loprieno-Gnirs Egyptologist and manager of the project TT95 (University of Basel)  Prof. Dr. Christian Dupuis Sedimentologist (Mons Polytechnics, Belgium)  Prof. Dr. Andreas Wieser / Pascal Theiler Geodesists (Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, ETH Zurich) Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 11 Your field site in winter 2015/2016 ? | | Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) 17/02/2015 12

Your field site in winter 2015/2016 ? Master in Engineering Geology Theban Tombs, Luxor (Egypt) | 17/02/2015 | 13