Digital project reconstructs historical sites lost during wartime

Using photos posted on Instagram, the project layers images together to create virtual models of the sites

Spotted: A project called “Rebuilt From Memories” is digitally rebuilding historical sites from the Syrian city of Aleppo. Using photogrammetry, three iconic sites are being virtually rebuilt through a collation of Instagram photos. Destroyed by years of armed conflict, the culturally significant structures of the Umayyad Mosque, the Souk al-Saqatiya and the Citadel of Aleppo remain alive through society’s collective online memory.

Using a combination of satellite imagery, crowdsourced submissions and deep-dive data crawls through Instagram posts, Rebuilt From Memories, creates virtual versions of each location and building. The project’s goal is to preserve history digitally, in a way that allows as many people as possible to experience the beauty of the lost sites. Each reconstruction is available as both a virtual and mobile experience.

The digital reconstructions provide first-time visitors with an immersive exploration of history that would otherwise be lost. For people familiar with the sites, the virtual versions help preserve a community’s heritage. With each new project, the team asks for high-quality photographic submissions under the social hashtag of #rebuildsitename.  

The project was recently named a 2020 SXSW Innovation Awards finalist in the “AI & Machine Learning” category. The Hamburg-based agency Jung Von Matt is credited with creating the project.

As global connectivity continues to grow, Springwise has spotted a variety of ways in which art and cultural pursuits are becoming digitised. Fittingly, Spingwise has covered a museum showcasing technology that is being built by a team of robots and drones.