In 2009 George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation and Tokio Institute of Technology agreed to four years’ collaboration. Research project is to be executed during these years which aims investigations of Georgian church architecture by means of using more advanced technologies. Participants of the project would be provided with up-to-date technical equipment by Japanese side.
The first stage of the project was executed in September 2010 which implied measurment and photogrametric analysis of the buildings. A group of five Japanese scholars came to Georgia under the guidance of professor Shiro Sassano. The Japanese group set to work side by side with Georgian colleagues in Tbilisi, Kvemo (Lower) Kartli, Shida (Inner) Kartli and Kakheti. As a result churches of Tbilisi Metekhi, Anchiskhati, Shiomgvime, Bolnisi Sioni, Tsinarekhi, Manglissi, Dzveli Shuamta, Nekresi, Alaverdi, Ninotsminda, Gurjaani have been explored. The two last days were dedicated to Mtskheta. The results of the planned researches give an opportunity to reveal damages of the buildings, such as cracks, subsidence of foundation, exhaust of stone and etc.; to establish the level of stadfastness of seismology and accordingly to determine possible risks.
Thus, these bear considerable meaning for measure elaboration of restoration and preservation for ancient churches.