Imagine being able to see the ancient wonders of the world, including the hanging gardens of Babylon or the lighthouse at Alexandria, as if it existed today. One could wander in the serene gardens or interact with sailors and traders coming in from the oceans beyond. We can even hear their songs, watch some of their rituals, and even see the pyramids being built.
Today, all of this is becoming possible through digital technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence.
This is more than just academic or of fleeting interest. Digital technology is revolutionising the way societies approach heritage preservation. They not only provide interactive platforms, but they also ensure that cultural treasures are protected and shared widely.
Cultural heritage is one of humanity’s most valuable treasures. It includes physical artefacts like buildings and manuscripts, but it also encompasses languages, traditions and ways of life that define societies over time.
Such heritage is fragile, as it is always the victim of time and human destruction. Natural disasters, urban development and war have simply destroyed much of what we know existed in the past.
But it doesn’t have to be this way anymore. Today, digital technology is being used as a transformative tool to safeguard physical and non-material heritage.
From 3D scanning and to digital archives and online platforms, new innovations are ensuring that cultural heritage is not only preserved but also made more accessible to global audiences.
There are many examples of this worldwide. For example, 3-D models of Corinthian colonnades in the ancient city of Palmyra are now available in various museums around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Staatliche Museum in Berlin, making it possible for generations of interested public to see a part of history which is not visible anymore.
In the Arabian Gulf, digitalising and preserving cultural history for public viewership is fast becoming popular. The Sharjah Institute for Heritage and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority have both set up interactive exhibits to share the ancient and modern history of the nation.
In Saudi Arabia, drones and geospatial mapping are being used to create accurate models of monuments in the ancient city of Hegra in Al ‘Ula province.
Oman continues to be at the forefront of leveraging technology to connect to its rich past. Ranging from digital archiving to interactive storytelling and virtual tourism, there are a number of efforts in Oman to showcase its rich history and intangible cultural artefacts to a wider audience.
For example, educational applications allow students to explore interactive maps that trace frankincense trade routes or scroll through annotated manuscripts of Omani poetry. Interactive stations at the Oman Across Ages museum and the Oman National Museum ensure that visitors and residents have access to Oman’s rich traditions, strengthening cultural continuity in a modern context.
History is not just of passing interest but is an essential part of who we are. By using emerging technology to preserve our past, we ensure its presence for future generations.
Sandhya Rao Mehta
The writer is Associate Professor, Sultan Qaboos University
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