Research Article
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Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 39 - 51, 15.06.2024
https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1434605

Abstract

Close-range photogrammetry of certain rock reliefs in Rough Cilicia was used to investigate published claims that symbols in them represent Jewish menorahs, but with five branches instead of the usual seven. Details of ancient rock reliefs are difficult to assess because of mottled rock texture, color variation, wear or damage, and conditions of lighting. Thus, published photos of the rock reliefs in question are insufficient for evaluation of claims about them. Simple photogrammetry, however, produces 3D and digital elevation models that eliminate visual ambiguity and provide certainty of detail for analysis. This study describes the simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive data collection technique and the photogrammetry software processing workflow for creation of such models. Resulting models in various presentation formats provide factual data for reevaluation of the claimed menorahs themselves and their relationship to other elements of the reliefs. These findings contribute to informed discussion on interpretation of the symbols and their meaning. Adoption of the process described here is encouraged for subsequent publication, analysis, and interpretation of rock relief details in the region.

References

  • Marín-Buzón, C., Pérez-Romero, A., López-Castro, J. L., Ben Jerbania, I., & Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2021). Photogrammetry as a new scientific tool in archaeology: Worldwide research trends. Sustainability, 13(9), 5319. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095319
  • Verriez, Q., Tomasinelli, A., & Thivet, M. (2023). A Guide to Orthophotographic Surveying Using Photogrammetry as Applied to Archaeological Heritage: From the Choice of Tools to Process Settings Within the Open-source Software MicMac (IGN ENSG). Presses universitaires de Franche-Comté.
  • Peña-Villasenín, S., Gil-Docampo, M., & Ortiz-Sanz, J. (2019). Professional SfM and TLS vs a simple SfM photogrammetry for 3D modelling of rock art and radiance scaling shading in engraving detection. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 37, 238-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2018.10.009
  • Verma, A. K., & Bourke, M. C. (2019). A method based on structure-from-motion photogrammetry to generate sub-millimetre-resolution digital elevation models for investigating rock breakdown features. Earth Surface Dynamics, 7(1), 45-66. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-45-2019
  • Strasser, T. F., Murray, S. C., van der Geer, A., Kolb, C., & Ruprecht Jr, L. A. (2018). Palaeolithic cave art from Crete, Greece. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 18, 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.12.041
  • Simek, J. F., Alvarez, S., & Cressler, A. (2022). Discovering ancient cave art using 3D photogrammetry: pre-contact Native American mud glyphs from 19th Unnamed Cave, Alabama. Antiquity, 96(387), 662-678. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2022.24
  • Sanz, J. O., Docampo, M. D. L. L. G., Rodríguez, S. M., Sanmartín, M. T. R., & Cameselle, G. M. (2010). A simple methodology for recording petroglyphs using low-cost digital image correlation photogrammetry and consumer-grade digital cameras. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(12), 3158-3169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.07.017
  • Castagnetti, C., Rossi, P., & Capra, A. (2018, June). 3D Reconstruction of rock paintings: a cost-effective approach based on modern photogrammetry for rapidly mapping archaeological findings. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 364(1), 012020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/364/1/012020
  • Jalandoni, A., & May, S. K. (2020). How 3D models (photogrammetry) of rock art can improve recording veracity: a case study from Kakadu National Park, Australia. Australian Archaeology, 86(2), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2020.1769005
  • Magnani, M., Douglass, M., Schroder, W., Reeves, J., & Braun, D. R. (2020). The digital revolution to come: Photogrammetry in archaeological practice. American Antiquity, 85(4), 737-760. https://doi.org/10.1017/aaq.2020.59
  • Durugönül, S. (1989). Die Felsreliefs im rauhen Kilikien. B.A.R.
  • Bent, J. T. (1890). Cilician Symbols. The Classical Review, 4(7), 321-322.
  • Durugönül, S. (1998). Türme und Siedlungen im Rauhen Kilikien: eine Untersuchung zu den archäologischen Hinterlassenschaften im Olbischen Territorium. Habelt.
  • Hachlili, R. (2018). The Menorah: Evolving into the Most Important Jewish Symbol. Brill.
  • Browning Jr, D. C., & Maltsberger, D. (2017). Memes, Moons, or Menorahs? Analysis of Claimed Syncretistic Jewish-Pagan Relief Symbols in Rough Cilicia. American Schools of Oriental Research 2017 Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
  • Liddell, H. G., & Scott, R. T. (1889). An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon: Founded Upon the Seventh Ed. of Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon. Clarendon Press.
  • Dagron, G., & Feissel, D. (1987). Inscriptions de Cilicie. De Boccard. No. 14.
  • Aydınoğlu, Ü. (2008). Olive Oil Production in Rough Cilicia: Production Installations–Settlement Pattern–Dating. In Olive Oil and Wine Production in Anatolian During the Antiquity, International Symposium, 1-18.
  • Aydınoğlu, Ü. (2010). The farms in rough Cilicia in the Roman and Early Byzantine periods. Adalya, (13), 243-282.
  • Durugönül, S., & Mörel, A. (2012). Evidence of Judaism in Rough Cilicia and its associations with Paganism. Istanbuler Mitteilungen, 62, 303-322.
  • Yunus, K., Şenol, H. İ., & Polat, N. (2021). Three-dimensional modeling and drawings of stone column motifs in Harran Ruins. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal, 3(2), 48-52. https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1012937
  • Aydın, A. (2004). Silifke, Sömek Köyü Kiliseleri Yüzey Araştırması 2003. Anadolu Akdenizi Haberleri, 110-112.
  • Fairchild, M. R. (2014). The Jewish Communities in Eastern Rough Cilicia. Journal of Ancient Judaism, 5(2), 204-216. https://doi.org/10.30965/21967954-00502007
Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 39 - 51, 15.06.2024
https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1434605

Abstract

References

  • Marín-Buzón, C., Pérez-Romero, A., López-Castro, J. L., Ben Jerbania, I., & Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2021). Photogrammetry as a new scientific tool in archaeology: Worldwide research trends. Sustainability, 13(9), 5319. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095319
  • Verriez, Q., Tomasinelli, A., & Thivet, M. (2023). A Guide to Orthophotographic Surveying Using Photogrammetry as Applied to Archaeological Heritage: From the Choice of Tools to Process Settings Within the Open-source Software MicMac (IGN ENSG). Presses universitaires de Franche-Comté.
  • Peña-Villasenín, S., Gil-Docampo, M., & Ortiz-Sanz, J. (2019). Professional SfM and TLS vs a simple SfM photogrammetry for 3D modelling of rock art and radiance scaling shading in engraving detection. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 37, 238-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2018.10.009
  • Verma, A. K., & Bourke, M. C. (2019). A method based on structure-from-motion photogrammetry to generate sub-millimetre-resolution digital elevation models for investigating rock breakdown features. Earth Surface Dynamics, 7(1), 45-66. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-7-45-2019
  • Strasser, T. F., Murray, S. C., van der Geer, A., Kolb, C., & Ruprecht Jr, L. A. (2018). Palaeolithic cave art from Crete, Greece. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 18, 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.12.041
  • Simek, J. F., Alvarez, S., & Cressler, A. (2022). Discovering ancient cave art using 3D photogrammetry: pre-contact Native American mud glyphs from 19th Unnamed Cave, Alabama. Antiquity, 96(387), 662-678. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2022.24
  • Sanz, J. O., Docampo, M. D. L. L. G., Rodríguez, S. M., Sanmartín, M. T. R., & Cameselle, G. M. (2010). A simple methodology for recording petroglyphs using low-cost digital image correlation photogrammetry and consumer-grade digital cameras. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(12), 3158-3169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.07.017
  • Castagnetti, C., Rossi, P., & Capra, A. (2018, June). 3D Reconstruction of rock paintings: a cost-effective approach based on modern photogrammetry for rapidly mapping archaeological findings. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 364(1), 012020. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/364/1/012020
  • Jalandoni, A., & May, S. K. (2020). How 3D models (photogrammetry) of rock art can improve recording veracity: a case study from Kakadu National Park, Australia. Australian Archaeology, 86(2), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2020.1769005
  • Magnani, M., Douglass, M., Schroder, W., Reeves, J., & Braun, D. R. (2020). The digital revolution to come: Photogrammetry in archaeological practice. American Antiquity, 85(4), 737-760. https://doi.org/10.1017/aaq.2020.59
  • Durugönül, S. (1989). Die Felsreliefs im rauhen Kilikien. B.A.R.
  • Bent, J. T. (1890). Cilician Symbols. The Classical Review, 4(7), 321-322.
  • Durugönül, S. (1998). Türme und Siedlungen im Rauhen Kilikien: eine Untersuchung zu den archäologischen Hinterlassenschaften im Olbischen Territorium. Habelt.
  • Hachlili, R. (2018). The Menorah: Evolving into the Most Important Jewish Symbol. Brill.
  • Browning Jr, D. C., & Maltsberger, D. (2017). Memes, Moons, or Menorahs? Analysis of Claimed Syncretistic Jewish-Pagan Relief Symbols in Rough Cilicia. American Schools of Oriental Research 2017 Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
  • Liddell, H. G., & Scott, R. T. (1889). An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon: Founded Upon the Seventh Ed. of Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon. Clarendon Press.
  • Dagron, G., & Feissel, D. (1987). Inscriptions de Cilicie. De Boccard. No. 14.
  • Aydınoğlu, Ü. (2008). Olive Oil Production in Rough Cilicia: Production Installations–Settlement Pattern–Dating. In Olive Oil and Wine Production in Anatolian During the Antiquity, International Symposium, 1-18.
  • Aydınoğlu, Ü. (2010). The farms in rough Cilicia in the Roman and Early Byzantine periods. Adalya, (13), 243-282.
  • Durugönül, S., & Mörel, A. (2012). Evidence of Judaism in Rough Cilicia and its associations with Paganism. Istanbuler Mitteilungen, 62, 303-322.
  • Yunus, K., Şenol, H. İ., & Polat, N. (2021). Three-dimensional modeling and drawings of stone column motifs in Harran Ruins. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal, 3(2), 48-52. https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1012937
  • Aydın, A. (2004). Silifke, Sömek Köyü Kiliseleri Yüzey Araştırması 2003. Anadolu Akdenizi Haberleri, 110-112.
  • Fairchild, M. R. (2014). The Jewish Communities in Eastern Rough Cilicia. Journal of Ancient Judaism, 5(2), 204-216. https://doi.org/10.30965/21967954-00502007
There are 23 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Daniel Crowell Browning Jr 0000-0001-9799-6315

Early Pub Date March 16, 2024
Publication Date June 15, 2024
Submission Date February 9, 2024
Acceptance Date February 27, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 6 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Browning Jr, D. C. (2024). Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal, 6(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1434605
AMA Browning Jr DC. Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia. MEPHOJ. June 2024;6(1):39-51. doi:10.53093/mephoj.1434605
Chicago Browning Jr, Daniel Crowell. “Close-Range Photogrammetry for Analysis of Rock Relief Details: An Investigation of Symbols Purported to Be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia”. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal 6, no. 1 (June 2024): 39-51. https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1434605.
EndNote Browning Jr DC (June 1, 2024) Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal 6 1 39–51.
IEEE D. C. Browning Jr, “Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia”, MEPHOJ, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 39–51, 2024, doi: 10.53093/mephoj.1434605.
ISNAD Browning Jr, Daniel Crowell. “Close-Range Photogrammetry for Analysis of Rock Relief Details: An Investigation of Symbols Purported to Be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia”. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal 6/1 (June 2024), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.53093/mephoj.1434605.
JAMA Browning Jr DC. Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia. MEPHOJ. 2024;6:39–51.
MLA Browning Jr, Daniel Crowell. “Close-Range Photogrammetry for Analysis of Rock Relief Details: An Investigation of Symbols Purported to Be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia”. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, 2024, pp. 39-51, doi:10.53093/mephoj.1434605.
Vancouver Browning Jr DC. Close-range photogrammetry for analysis of rock relief details: An investigation of symbols purported to be Jewish Menorahs in Rough Cilicia. MEPHOJ. 2024;6(1):39-51.