Preserving Cultural Heritage: A Virtual Journey to Hegra with LE7EL

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Hegra at sunset, brought to life through LE7EL’s immersive virtual environment

Note: This is the first article in a series of articles on how developers could utilize the LE7EL SDK to build and publish unprecedented experiences to their audience

In the digital age, preserving and sharing cultural heritage has become more accessible than ever before. With the advent of powerful tools such as photogrammetry, virtual reality, and platforms like LE7EL, we can now create immersive experiences that transport users to far-off places and offer unique insights into the past. In this article, we will explore how we brought the ancient site of Hegra, also known as Al-Hijr or Mada’in Salih, to life using photos from the web, RealityCapture photogrammetry software, Unreal Engine, and LE7EL SDK.

A Glimpse into the Past: Hegra

Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Saudi Arabia, is an awe-inspiring example of ancient rock-cut architecture.

The Qasr al-Farid (قصر الفريد), meaning ‘the Lonely Castle’, is an archaeological site in Madâin Sâlih (al-Hijr or Hegra) in the north of Saudi Arabia. By Richard.hargas — Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37955721

Once a thriving city along the ancient trade route, Hegra is now a testament to the ingenuity of the Nabatean people who skillfully carved magnificent tombs and monuments into the sandstone cliffs over 2,000 years ago.

The Photogrammetry Process

To create an accurate 3D model of one of the most famous rock-cut tombs at Hegra, the Qasr al-Farid (قصر الفريد), meaning ‘the Lonely Castle’, we sourced low-quality photographs from the web, capturing the site from various angles and under different lighting conditions.

Watch the intricate details of Hegra’s ancient rock-cut tomb come to life in the RealityCapture interface, as we create a stunning 3D model for our virtual experience.

These images were then imported into RealityCapture, a cutting-edge photogrammetry software, to generate a highly detailed 3D model that closely resembles the actual site.

Bringing Hegra to Life in Unreal Engine

The generated 3D model was then enchanced, optimized, and imported into Unreal Engine, where we utilized the power of LE7EL SDK to create an immersive virtual environment that replicates the desert surroundings of Hegra.

Unreal Engine 5 and LE7EL SDK in action: Crafting the stunning virtual landscape of Hegra’s rock-cut tomb for an unforgettable immersive experience

This environment allows users to explore the tomb and appreciate its intricate details up close, providing an engaging experience that transcends the limitations of traditional photography and 2D representations.

LE7EL: Unveiling the Cultural Preservation Potential

LE7EL enables creators to share immersive experiences like this virtual journey to Hegra with a global audience.

Exploring the wonders of Hegra’s rock-cut tomb: A snapshot of Vasily and Egor immersed in the LE7EL XR experience, witnessing history come to life

By utilizing the platform’s powerful tools and SDK, we can preserve cultural heritage sites, making them accessible to future generations and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history. As we continue to push the boundaries of technology and creativity, the possibilities for cultural preservation and exploration are truly limitless.

Join Us in Preserving Cultural Heritage

We invite you to embark on this virtual journey to Hegra and experience the magic of ancient architecture through the lens of modern technology. Moreover, we encourage artists, historians, and enthusiasts to preserve and share cultural heritage sites using our tools, and build a virtual archive that connects people across time and space, fostering understanding and appreciation for the rich tapestry of human history.

Visit le7el.com and our Docs to learn more, and apply for our Early Access Program here.

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