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[Demonstration Case] Beijing, China · Digital Technology Empowers China-Egypt Joint Archaeology
2026-03-25 ICCSD

Case Name: Beijing, China · Digital Technology Empowers China-Egypt Joint Archaeology

Case Category: Technological Empowerment for Cultural Heritage Preservation

Case Location: Beijing, China

Case Applicants: New Dimension Imagination Digital Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Shanghai International Studies University, Peking University

Case Overview:

Case Description

Implemented against the backdrop of deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Egypt and jointly building the "Belt and Road", this case originated from the systematic archaeological excavations launched by China and Egypt at the Saqqara Pyramid Complex (the core cemetery of the ancient Egyptian capital Memphis) in 2018. The excavations yielded major discoveries, including a large number of painted anthropomorphic wooden coffins (this discovery was rated as one of the world’s top ten archaeological discoveries in 2020). At the complex archaeological site, the case team used high-resolution 3D scanning equipment to scan thousands of wooden coffins and adopted micro-trace enhanced imaging technology to non-invasively record the micro-morphology of the cultural relics’ surfaces. The collected data was integrated and processed to establish holographic digital archives for each cultural relic, covering macro morphology, painted textures, and micro traces. Digital models were used to assist in the restoration of physical cultural relics, with plans optimized through virtual rehearsals; ultimately, all data models will be integrated into a globally shared database supporting Chinese, Arabic, and English, open to the academic community.

Solutions and Innovation

This case pioneered a new model of "cutting-edge technology + archaeological research + international cooperation + public communication", achieving breakthroughs not only in technology but also setting a benchmark in cooperation mechanisms and achievement application. In direct response to the consensus reached by the two heads of state on cultural mutual learning, the project was jointly implemented by the archaeological teams of Shanghai International Studies University, Peking University, and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, with technical support from New Dimension Imagination Digital Technology Co., Ltd., forming an efficient collaborative mechanism of "academic execution - technical support - official management".

The case implemented a complete digital workflow covering the entire life cycle of cultural relics, integrating technology deeply into the entire process of archaeology and protection. Through high-precision 3D digitalization, the team converted cultural relic information into quantifiable, non-destructive, and comprehensive data. Digital twin models replaced physical objects for repeated observation, measurement, and even "virtual restoration" experiments, achieving "protection first with uninterrupted research". By building a multilingual online shared database, global scholars can access and study the same set of high-fidelity cultural relic data anytime and anywhere, breaking time, space, and national boundaries.

Social Effects

The case completed the systematic digitalization of cultural relics unearthed at the Saqqara site, forming permanently preservable data assets. In terms of restoration practice, it provided accurate digital references for cultural relic restoration, improving scientific rigor and safety. In academic research, it built the first high-precision digital resource library for this batch of precious wooden coffins, offering new materials for global Egyptology research. In public communication, relevant content was disseminated through Chinese TV variety shows, achieving over 180 million views; additionally, the "Secrets of Saqqara" special exhibition section of Shanghai Museum’s exhibition (based on archaeological achievements at Saqqara in Egypt) shared a total of approximately 2.778 million visits with the entire exhibition, setting a world record for the number of visitors to a single paid special exhibition in a museum worldwide.

Support for Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4 (Quality Education)

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

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