Historical Reconstruction using Augmented Reality

Abstract

Cultural heritage sites often face challenges such as structural deterioration, environmental damage, or limited accessibility, making preservation and public engagement difficult. Emerging digital technologies, particularly Augmented Reality (AR), provide innovative ways to experience and interact with such monuments. This paper presents an AR-based system designed to facilitate interactive heritage exploration through digital reconstruction, intelligent narration, and community engagement.

The proposed framework comprises four key modules: (i) a camera-based AR reconstruction module that enables on-site visualization of damaged monuments in their original form, (ii) a QR code-based module allowing remote users to access and explore digital reconstructions, (iii) an AI-driven voice assistant that provides historical explanations and answers user queries, and (iv) a “Wall of Fame” module for users to contribute and view multimedia content related to the heritage site.

A functional prototype has been implemented using ARCore, Unity, Blender, Python, and cloud services. Preliminary user evaluations indicate high engagement, smooth AR performance, and strong educational value. The research demonstrates the feasibility of a modular AR heritage platform that supports cultural preservation, enables remote access, fosters interactive learning, and encourages community participation. Future work includes multilingual narration, on-site AR alignment enhancements, and advanced automated reconstruction techniques.