Egyptologist: Virtual Museums Have Become Imperative

Dr. Ahmed Budran, Egyptologist, and Professor of Ancient Egyptian Archeology at Cairo University stated that the idea of establishing "virtual museums" is no longer a luxury, but rather an imperative necessity in light of the political events, economic crises, or strenuous wars that are taking place across the global, or epidemics that may sweep the world and become a block in the path of tourism and travel.

He explained that "virtual museums" are digital entity created on the internet to present displays museum collections such as artifacts and works of art through "virtual display", which enables the inpidual to see, feel, and interact with the artifacts or the artwork similar to the real world.

Dr. Budran pointed out that through this digital entity it is possible to comment on the displays, publish research and studies related to those artifacts, and other museum services.

The Egyptologist stressed the important role the virtual museums play into promoting and reviving tourism, as well as providing archaeological and heritage culture that can be viewed anytime.

Dr. Budran pointed out that these museums be viewed to inpiduals at home through mobiles or computers whether if they were private or national museums.

“These museums allow roaming visualization from a distance, which is important to preserve rare collections,” he added.

The Professor of Ancient Egyptian Archeology stressed that it is also possible through these museums to display archaeological collections, which contain objects such as pottery, ceramic, weaving, glass, and others.

Moreover, the public can explore the personal belongings of presidents, intellectuals, and other famous public figures such as presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Anwar Sadat, as well as Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Naguib Mahfouz.

He called on for the establishment of a website for any museum, especially in the time of “Social Media”, ones that display its artifacts with the "3D" technology in terms of length, width and height, as well as includes the "4D" technology that uses "virtual displays “, and use the "hologram” photographic technique.

The hologram technique is currently used at the Cairo Opera House to present cultural performances and concerts as a part of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture e-initiative “Stay at home … Culture is in your hands”.

Contributed by Yara Sameh