Mexico makes 3D replica of ancient rocky shelter

Three years ago, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) buried the Cuevas Pintas rocky shelter to protect it from extreme climate conditions brought upon by global warming at the La Giganta mountain range .

Now, the Jesuit Missions Museum of Loreto, Baja California Sur , will exhibit a reproduction of the rocky shelter, along with all its ancient pictographs, according to a press release by the INAH.

The piece restorer, Sandra Cruz, head of the National Program for the Preservation of Rock Art Heritage at the National Coordination for Cultural Heritage Conservation (CNCPC) from the INAH, said that the case of the Cuevas Pintas site was relevant because it shows that cultural and historical heritage sites can be protected from climate change institutionally while offering the Mexican people an opportunity to enjoy them.

The piece, a reproduction of which will be presented at the museum of Loreto, dates back at least six thousand years . The archeologist and rock painting expert María de la Luz Gutiérrez , from the INAH Center in Baja California Sur, explained that 120 cubic meters of rock material had to be gradually removed so as not to affect the paintings in anyway or cause the rocks to collapse.

First 3D replica of Mexican cave art

In parallel with the archeological rescue, specialists conducted an exhaustive registry of the site to gather as much information as possible to look for dissemination alternatives so that the community could continue to enjoy its cultural heritage.

With data obtained from laser scanning, photogrammetry, and HD photo records of the site , archeologists were able to create a faithful replica for display at the Jesuit Missions Museum of Loreto: The first replica of a cave art site in Mexico to be made through laser scanning.

The piece is 4.13 meters long, 2.18m high, and 3.14m deep . It will be complemented with a virtual reality app that will allow audiences to appreciate the surroundings of the panel, as well as a video narrating the rescue and preservation of the site.

While archeologists wait for the spot to stabilize so that the mural can be put back next to the stream, this museum exhibition will also seek to raise awareness on the ecologic unbalance that climate change has caused and the way it jeopardizes Mexico’s cultural heritage.

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