Using augmented reality, the exhibition shows how countries of the MENA and Mediterranean regions used to look like at their times of glory

The Italian Embassy and Msheireb Museums, a collection of four historic Qatari houses showcasing different exhibitions on the history of Qatar, and located at Msheireb Downtown Doha, are partnering to bring to Doha the UNESCO ArechoMed 3D Conference and Exhibition. The opening and a one-day conference took place on 5 February at Bin Jelmood House, while the 3D interactive exhibition will be open for the public at Company House for 4 weeks.

Sponsored by the Italian Foreign Ministry, ArcheoMed 3D is dedicated to a sample of archaeological sites classified by UNESCO and listed since 1978 on the List of World Heritage, in the Mediterranean area and the Arabian Peninsula.

The exhibition utilizes the latest technology in archaeological 3D visualization and augmented reality to bring to life these sites from around the world, and raise awareness on our common world heritage.

H.E. Pasquale Salzano, Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar said: “We are very proud to have contributed – by bringing this exhibition to Doha – to draw attention to the rich Archaeological Heritage of the Mediterranean basin and the Gulf and to those technologies that can help us deliver the immense cultural inheritance to the future generations. Italy and Qatar share the same vision about culture and knowledge: they belong to all humankind and they have no boundaries. The impressive number of countries represented in the ArcheoMed 3D Exhibition confirms this vision. Cultural Heritage indeed represents our past, but it also expresses what we have in common in the present and what we want to preserve for the future. We hope that this initiative can contribute to encouraging dialogue and cultural exchanges and promoting the various cultural forms and identities of the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Gulf.”

ArcheoMed 3D aligns with the commitment of Msheireb Museums to innovation and ingenuity in making history and culture a sensory experience that is both inspiring and tangible.

Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdulla, Director of Msheireb Museums, says: “Msheireb Museums prides itself in partnering with global organisations that share a similar vision to ours. Working in tandem with the Embassy of Italy in Qatar and the UNESCO is another way to diversify our offering to the public and create a platform for intercultural dialogue that promotes tolerance and understanding across nations.”

Comprising of a series of didactic panels, the exhibition features two main technologies; barcodes and augmented reality. Visitors will be able to scan barcodes using their smartphones in order to view the 3D film visualisation of the archaeological sites. Augmented reality can be viewed via an exhibition app, which will enable visitors to scan the panels to reveal 3D augmented reality models.

The exhibition covers countries of the Mediterranean basin from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt, and then down to the Arabian Gulf, to drop anchor in Qatar. Some of these sites include Qatar’s Al Zubarah Fort, Hagia Sophia in Turkey, Syria’s Krak des Chevaliers and Tunisia’s Amphiteater of El Jem.

Anna Paolini, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha: “Documentation of cultural heritage is an essential element of the restoration and restitution process. The 3D virtual rendering of archaeological sites or historic cities based on scientific documentation allows us to visualize how they used to look like in a precise period in time. That’s why, ArcheoMed allows us to explore and appreciate some of the most important World Heritage sites around the Mediterranean basin and in the Middle East at the moment of their glory.”

For more information visit msheireb.com