We've decided to focus our immediate efforts on the areas excavated by N. Muller between 1904-1906 and published in both Die judische Katakombe am Monteverde zu Rom (Leipzig, 1912). and "Il cimitero degli ebrei posto sulla via Portuense" Rendiconti della Pontificia Accademia Romana di Archeologia 2.12 (1915) 205-318.
This decision was made for the following reasons. Firstly, making digital or virtual models of all of the different regions of the catacomb that have been discovered (cf. post "Summary of Published Areas") would of both limited viability and utility. The Muller excavations standout amongst for several reasons. First, they comprise, without any doubt, the largest and most sustained exploration of the Monteverde catacomb group. Secondly, they are the best published, and are the only to include a plan with orientation (though lacking in scale).
For all this, there are still substantial problems with reconstructing based on the Muller publications. For one, there remain both literal gaps in the plan between regions (which digital modeling may help to fill in) and gaps in the description and documentation that allows us to conceptualize the catacomb. For the latter (and to some extent for the former), comparative evidence will be critical. This means both comparative evidence that can be gleaned from the less well published areas of Monteverde Jewish catacomb group, and also from Christian and Pagan catacombs nearby (particularly of S. Ponziano).
Tentative breakdown of responsibilities, after re-prioritization:
Brendan Saslow: leading modeling efforts.
Sean Burrus: Muller publications, reviews of the excavations.
Jesse Hoffman: Comparanda from non-Muller excavated areas of Monteverde.
Laura Puleo: Comparanda from Christian and Pagan Evidence.
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