Tapanakars collection
Tapanakars are unique to Armenian Culture
Tapanakars are a distinct form of traditional Armenian stone architecture, typically serving as burial chambers or underground family tombs. Though less known than khachkars, tapanakars hold deep historical and cultural value, reflecting centuries of Armenian funerary practices and architectural ingenuity.
These structures began appearing in the medieval period, often carved into rock or built with carefully hewn stone blocks. Tapanakars were usually reserved for noble families, clergy, or prominent community members and were often adorned with symbolic reliefs, inscriptions, and sometimes crosses—bridging the spiritual and the earthly.
Unlike khachkars, which were mostly freestanding and symbolic, tapanakars served a functional role in housing the deceased. However, like khachkars, their design was influenced by Armenian Christian traditions, often incorporating intricate carvings and motifs related to resurrection and eternity.
In recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in documenting and preserving tapanakars. Thanks to advances in 3D rendering, these sacred spaces are now being digitally preserved and studied in greater detail than ever before. This site aims to showcase the beauty, craftsmanship, and spiritual significance of tapanakars through immersive 3D experiences—bringing the hidden legacy of Armenian heritage to light.
Methodology
High-fidelity 3D models of tapanakars were generated by integrating LiDAR (Faro M70 scanner) and photogrammetry (Sony A7RIII camera). Each artifact underwent LiDAR scans from multiple positions, paired with 60–300 photographs for photogrammetric coverage. LiDAR data was processed in FaroScene and LeicaCyclone for point cloud registration, noise reduction, and alignment. Photogrammetric images were reconstructed in RealityCapture to produce dense point clouds and textured meshes, then aligned with LiDAR data for enhanced accuracy. Final models (50–100M points) were decimated to ~500,000 points for web accessibility, optimized in RealityCapture via artifact removal and UV mapping, and exported as OBJ files. Post-processing in Meshlab/Nubigon refined visuals, ensuring compatibility with digital heritage platforms while preserving morphological/textural fidelity.
3D digital twins of Armenian Tapanakars
Extensive portfolio of digital information to be used as a foundation for future educational and research projects at the intersection of Computer Science & Digital Humanities fields
From November 2023 to January 2024, our team conducted LIDAR and photogrammetric scanning of Armenian tapanakars in various regions of Armenia. In total, over 150 tapanakars from different periods were scanned.