Eternal Alexandria: From Ancient Stone to Digital Soul – An Immersive Experience at Qaitbay Fort
01 September 2026
Alexandria, Egypt
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Main Entrance, Auditorium
The Antiquities Museum, affiliated with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Cultural Outreach Sector, in collaboration with the Asia AI Research Institute (AAII) and the Data Science Department at Musashino University, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and the Art Research Center (ARC) at Ritsumeikan University, is organizing a seminar entitled "Eternal Alexandria: From Ancient Stone to Digital Soul – An Immersive Experience at Qaitbay Fort". The event will take place on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, at 12:00 noon at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Main Entrance, Auditorium.
The ancient Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, witnessing the glory and decline of Alexandria for over sixteen centuries before its destruction by a series of seismic hazards and devastating earthquakes. Between 1477 and 1479 CE, Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay built his iconic citadel directly on the exact site of the fallen lighthouse on Pharos Island. Over five centuries, Qaitbay Fort has survived historical transformations, urban changes, and environmental threats. Today, as climate risks, tsunamis, and human factors accelerate, highlighting Qaitbay Fort as a vulnerable heritage site is crucial.
The project’s methodology is anchored in the principle of "From Text to Motion"—a revolutionary approach to embodying cultural heritage by transitioning from ancient narrative sources, historical photographs, and archaeological finds to walking through a life-sized virtual structure. Site-associated characters and intangible historical narratives are dynamically integrated to enrich the locomotion and virtual walkthrough experience.
Speakers will highlight a pioneering initiative in cyber-physical archaeology centred on Alexandria’s iconic Qaitbay Fort. Powered by the milestone "Data-Sensorium" system developed by the Data Science Department and AAII at Musashino University, Tokyo, this project transcends traditional, static 3D modelling by incorporating human actions directly into system architecture to deliver real-time, immersive experiences.
Beyond high-tech visuals, this project applies a novel concept of "Human Experience" built on a 7-dimensional human model that encompasses physical, physiological, psychological, and social characteristics. By placing this multi-dimensional model at its core, the system seamlessly connects human physical movement to the digital realm for a deeply personal journey.
Furthermore, this research directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 11.B (Resilience and Disaster Risk Management). By deploying advanced digital techniques, the project enhances adaptation strategies, safeguards world-famous landmarks from natural and man-made disasters, and provides a transferable model for similar cultural properties worldwide.
This event invites attendees to cross the bridge between ancient stone and the cutting-edge technology of tomorrow. Participants will witness how history can be preserved, felt, and walked through in the modern age.