Turning Rock into Pixels

The Jewish Cemetery Altona

Project Group 

The Project Group Turning Rock into Pixels aims to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish cemetery at Königstraße in Hamburg-Altona, which features over 7,000 inscribed tombstones. The PG combines UWA’s expertise in immersive 3D environments, material analysis, and Humanities research to develop a digital research environment. This environment will address the challenges posed by the weathering of tombstones and the complex nature of written heritage, thereby enhancing accessibility and understanding of this important monument. Over the course of four years, we will implement extensive digitisation and visualisation processes, alongside mineralogical analyses that aim not only to improve the legibility of inscriptions but also to inform potential conservation strategies. By integrating diverse research data into this innovative virtual environment, we strive to facilitate a comprehensive study of the cemetery’s historical and cultural significance, contributing to broader discussions on heritage preservation and advanced methodologies in the study of WAs.