A workshop on 3D Photogrammetry for Archaeological Site Documentation was held from 18th-22nd November 2024 at MaritimEA Research’s office in Karachi. It was led by Dr. Kotaro Yamafune from A.P.P.A.R.A.T.U.S. LLC/Chrononaut, an expert in photogrammetry and 3D modelling techniques. Heritage conservationist professionals invited to attend the training were from the Sindh Department of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Archives, NED University’s Department of Architecture and Planning and the Heritage Cell, SEAS Pakistan, and MaritimEA Research’s team. There was significant interest in the techniques used to develop 3D models and several professionals within the field had expressed an interest in the training. Most participants revealed that they had found it very relevant to their own projects for which they wanted to use photogrammetry as a documentation tool.
In many ways, the Lost Cities of the Indus Delta has documented the history of the fisherfolk community in the delta region in Sindh. During the workshop with the community in February 2025, it was revealed that many of the older women had visited some of these sites as children with their fathers. They had faint memories of the trip, the sites, the graves, and the walls of the fortresses. However, they had not gone again in a long time due to a generally conservative cultural climate as well as a lack of infrastructure.
Through their own memories, they recognised Ratukot, Lahiri Bandar, and Banbhore in the documentary and shared their stories afterwards. The VR experience added another dimension to their relationship with their history. The audience, especially the women, were very excited to visit the sites using the VR headset. Several asked to be shown Ratukot or Banbhore because they wanted to see what the sites looked like in 2025 compared to their memories. Although initially hesitant, community members eagerly lined up to participate in the VR experience and “see and walk” at Lahiri Bandar and explore the site freely.
The community at Ibrahim Hyderi was very appreciative of how MaritimEA Research had documented their history and legacy. For the women, especially, it was a moment of nostalgia almost since these were sites they had not been able to visit for a long time due to various reasons but now they could access them on their phones and read and listen about them.
