IH-AT UNESCO Church Project (Cyprus)

The aim of the Invisible Heritage - Analysis and Technology (IH-AT) project was to develop a portal for the visualisation, documentation, and non-invasive archaeological analysis of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites collectively known as the ‘Painted Churches in the Troodos Region’ in Cyprus—a group of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches decorated with painted frescoes, considered among the best-preserved examples of religious art of that era.

In an era of rapid technological improvements, state-of-the-art methodologies and tools dedicated to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage were intended to be developed and extensively employed to expand and enrich historical and archaeological research, possibly revising or adding new information to established theories. The IH-AT project aimed to design and develop an innovative portal comprising reliable and efficient technology-ready tools for the visualisation, documentation, and analysis of the UNESCO-listed churches in the Troodos area. The project aimed to apply non-destructive techniques (NDT), geophysics, 3D modelling, and visualisation methods, supported by art-historical and archaeological research, to investigate a cluster of selected churches in Cyprus. The main goals were to preserve, by way of record, the existing structural remains, identify lost and invisible features, and assess the conservation conditions of their structures. The portal was intended to be utilized by a variety of stakeholders and targeted public authorities, universities, and individuals.

This pilot application enabled the generation of an online platform and database from which information and data could be extracted. This was intended to inform further research and conservation projects at the specific UNESCO churches. In addition, the platform served as a methodological example of best practice, with a view to expanding it to other heritage sites in Cyprus. Through the integration of expertise from different disciplines, the project aimed to forge essential links and synergies for the delivery of innovative tools to address challenges related to the conservation, restoration, and knowledge of heritage sites.

A holistic research approach relied on:

1. traditional art-historical and archaeological studies for context analysis;
2. reliable and efficient technology-ready tools for 3D modelling and interactive visualisation;
3. state-of-the-art non-destructive geophysical tools, including high- and low-frequency ground-penetrating radar, microgravity, and electrical resistivity tomography.

These methods included non-invasive surveying, site walkovers, and 3D modelling and visualisation methods, for the purposes of identifying the evolution of the structures, the presence of buried structures, and ancient living surfaces, as well as enabling the addition of new information to cartographic and documentary sources. Additionally, where lost structures were identified, informative boards were to be erected to describe them, as well as their significance and virtual reconstruction, to enhance the visitor experience and boost visitor numbers.

The IH-AT project was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus through the Research and Innovation Foundation, with the support of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus and the School of the Blind “Agios Varnavas” of Nicosia.