Khartoum, Sudan – Google announced today the launch of a new immersive digital experience on Google Arts & Culture, published exclusively on Al Jazeera, that will bring the world closer to the last capital of the Kushite Kingdom, its influential dynasties, and its cultural heritage.
Viewers will be able to explore the Pyramids of Meroë in Sudan, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site, in great detail by virtually walking through the structural wonders built more than two thousand years ago.
The experience can also be customised and brought into whatever landscape you want, whether it's in your own home or your favourite park, by using augmented reality (AR).
Using Google's Street View panoramic technology, viewers will be able to zoom in on ancient inscriptions and make sense of the thousand-year-old languages and craftsmanship.
The Meroë experience, which is available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, German, French and Spanish, hosts an ode to Sudan voiced by renowned Sudanese-American poet Emi Mahmoud, and allows people to learn more about the Kushite Kingdom, its kings and queens, and the architecture behind the pyramids.
Commenting on the launch, Mariam Khaled Dabboussi, product marketing manager at Google, said “We’re thrilled to offer this immersive experience to help people around the world learn more about the Kingdom of Kush and its culture in an engaging way.”
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also curated dedicated content to help viewers learn more about Meroë’s archaeological site, Gebel Barkal and the sites of the Napatan region and Sudan’s Sanganeb Marine National Park.
The Meroë Pyramids experience is Google’s latest effort to help share the culture and heritage of the Middle East and North Africa region with the world. Since 2013, Google has digitised rich imagery and offered immersive experiences for more than 20 historical landmarks and sites including Petra in Jordan and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates.
Google Arts & Culture has also worked with cultural institutions across the region to help share their heritage and culture with the world.