Bibliotheca Alexandrina Launches Augmented Heritage Project to Digitally Document Egyptian Civilization

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has launched the "Augmented Heritage" project, using augmented-reality technology to make historical and cultural knowledge digitally accessible.

• The project uses printed cards that, when scanned with a smartphone, display 3D models, documentaries, and photo albums.
• Topics include Islamic landmarks such as Al-Azhar Mosque, scientific manuscripts like the treatise on eye anatomy, and folklore elements including the Arragouz puppet and Egyptian koshari (UNESCO-listed in 2025).
• The "Eyes of Egypt" initiative dedicates cards to Egyptian artifacts in foreign museums, aiming to document their identity and anticipate their return.
• Dr. Ayman Suleiman, director of the Heritage Documentation Center, said the cards convert printed material into a digital gateway for an exploratory journey.