The Uzbek-South Korean project on computer restoration and 3D formatting of Afrasiab ancient murals in Samarkand will be implemented by the end of 2014, -reports gazeta.uz. Implementation of the project will be undertaken by the Samarkand State United Historical Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve and the Northeast Asian History Foundation (Republic of Korea). The parties signed a corresponding agreement in early July 2013.
In the course of the work to be carried out both in Samarkand and in the Republic of Korea, the experts will study and with the help of computer technologies restore the petroglyphs, the fragments of which were found during an excavation of the Samarkand ruler’s ancient palace in Afrasiab site in the second half of the XX century (now they're stored in Afrasiab Museum). The restored frescoes, depicting the life of the ancient city, will be transferred to 3D format and recorded to electronic media for subsequent posting in the Internet. In addition, the Uzbek party will acquire special equipment for better preservation of original fragments of wall paintings.
A keen interest of the Northeast Asian History Foundation, the Republic of Korea to Afrasiab petroglyphs was caused by the fact that one of their fragments depicts a scene of gift offering by ambassadors of China, Korea, Chiganian and Chach to Sogd’s ruler Vakhurman. This confirms that diplomatic relations between Sogd and Korea existed as early as 658.
The Northeast Asian History Foundation has already an experience in computer restoration of wall paintings: a similar project on restoration of the medieval Kungurye Palace (the VII century) located in the DPRK has recently been completed.
