Project: Virtual tour and 3D presentation of inaccessible heritage of the Berenike Red Sea port

Virtual tour and 3D presentation of inaccessible heritage of the Berenike Red Sea port

Keywords: Virtual reality, Berenike, Heritage, Virtual tour, Egypt, Antiquities

Berenike (Egypt) was a port town located at the Red Sea coast. It was the most important settlement in the area between the 3rd century BCE and the 6th century CE, playing a key role in intercontinental luxury goods trade. Over 20 years of excavations at the site provided unique insight into its economy in Antiquity and cultural contacts between civilisations of Africa, Asia and Europe.

Currently, Berenike is located in the vicinity of a military base, so it is not open to visitors, apart from those involved in the archaeological research. The aim of this project is to provide the opportunity to visit Berenike to all those who have so far been unable to do so. This can be achieved by creating an IT system based on openly accessible websites. Such websites will include interactive maps and three-dimensional models of buildings and objects unearthed during the excavations, with popular-science descriptions. Additionally, a virtual tour of the site will be prepared using a 360° camera.

Project is financed by the Honor Frost Foundation

Links

• Website: www.virtualberenike.pcma.uw.edu.pl
• Read about Berenike