J. Friedrich, A dual reciprocity boundary element model for the degradation of strongly eroded archaeological signs, MATH COMP S, 48(3), 1999, pp. 281-293
In archaeology, knowledge about the degradation of strongly eroded signs (h
ieroglyphs) is important to estimate their original shape and thus identify
their possible meaning. The degradation of a sign is ruled by a time-depen
dent flow of material which can be modeled by either a backward or a forwar
d time integration of the governing equations. Lf the signs alphabet is kno
wn, a forward integration scheme is more advantageous because the boundary
geometry of a sign can be precisely extracted from the alphabet, allowing t
o determine a better fit of the integrated shape of a hieroglyph to its pre
sent counterpart in the real inscription. The most general governing equati
on used for the integration scheme is the 2D transient convection-diffusion
equation with the upper surface height of hieroglyphs as unknown function.
It is numerically integrated by applying the dual reciprocity boundary ele
ment method (DRBEM), which allows easy incorporation of different boundary
geometries. After designing and implementing a DRBEM degradation model, its
calibration is described based on a well-defined hieroglyphic sign still v
isible in a strongly eroded Hittite inscription. Then the calibrated model
is used to identify other hieroglyphs in the same inscription not recognize
d yet by purely visual means. The results gained so far indicate that stron
gly degraded signs can be recovered to a certain extent and matched to sign
s in the existing Hittite alphabet. (C) 1999 IMACS/Elsevier Science B.V. Al
l rights reserved.