Archaeological Replica Models: A New Visitor Management Technique to Sustain the Heritage Sites

Abstract

Egypt is known all over the world by its unique heritage. Though, utilizing this heritage as a tourism attraction without using scientific visit management influences it negatively. Visitor management methods and techniques such as, limit of acceptable change, visitor impact management, carrying capacity, and visitor activity management process are some of the conservation tools that are used to reduce the negative impacts and protect the heritage sites. The current study attempts to gain a deep sight on the visitor management framework that could be used in the heritage sites particularly the Archeological Replica Models. The replica model of King TutanTutankhamen khamen tomb in Luxor city is used as a case study. Many research methods are used in this study such as; questionnaires targeted the tour guides and the archeological inspectors in the city of Luxor. Moreover observation checklist applied on the replica of Tutankhamen tomb. The main results of the study showed that replica models have an important role in preserving heritage sites and an effective instrument to sustain it. The Study recommended spreading replica models in other endangered cultural heritage sites, and achieving cooperation with foreign companies specialized in production of 3D facsimiles in order to transfer the skills and expertise to Egyptian experts.