Written by: Ines Said
On a summer morning in Carthage, the mosaics at Byrsa Hill shimmer in the sunlight. Fragments of the past lie scattered in the open air, exposed to weather and time. For centuries, Tunisia’s history has survived conquests, revolutions, and the slow erosion of age. But today, one of its greatest challenges is preservation. How do we keep these treasures alive for future generations when resources are limited, and sites remain under-documented?
That question gave birth to Tanit XR, a cultural heritage initiative using immersive technologies to digitally preserve Tunisia’s archaeological sites. By creating 3D scans of mosaics, stelae, and monuments, the project builds a growing public library that allows Tunisians and the world to explore heritage in new ways.
Technology Meets Tradition
The name Tanit XR pays homage to Tanit, the Carthaginian goddess and protector, linking ancient tradition with modern technology. Using tools such as photogrammetry, Scaniverse, and Gaussian splatting, the team captures highly detailed digital models of artifacts and historical sites.
Many of these models are now available in an open digital archive on Sketchfab and at tanitxr.org. Visitors can rotate, zoom, and inspect mosaics from Byrsa Hill or explore the stelae of the Tophet of Salammbô in three dimensions. What once required a trip to Carthage can now be experienced virtually from anywhere in the world.
This approach does not replace the physical experience of visiting Tunisia’s sites. Instead, it offers a safeguard against loss while expanding access for students, researchers, and members of the diaspora who may never walk among these ruins in person.
A Collective Effort
Tanit XR is not the work of one person alone. The initiative brings together a network of volunteers: Tunisian youth, members of the diaspora, and international professionals. Contributors include engineers and designers from big tech companies, and cultural advocates from nonprofits such as the Florida Community Innovation Foundation.
This collective model is essential. Tunisia’s heritage is vast, and no single institution has the capacity to preserve it all. By involving diverse voices – technologists, photographers, historians, and students – Tanit XR demonstrates how community-driven projects can complement traditional preservation efforts.
Why Preservation Matters
Tunisia holds some of the world’s most significant archaeological treasures: Carthaginian sanctuaries, Roman amphitheaters, and intricate mosaics that rival those of Pompeii. Yet many of these sites face urgent risks. Climate change accelerates erosion, urban expansion encroaches on ruins, and limited funding often delays documentation.
Without proactive efforts, fragile artifacts may be lost before they are even recorded. Digital preservation provides a vital safeguard. Once scanned, an object exists not only as a record but also as a resource – available for educational programs, museum exhibits, academic research, and cultural tourism initiatives.
Equally important, it strengthens the connection between Tunisians and their heritage. For young people in particular, seeing their history presented through interactive, modern tools can spark pride and curiosity.
Looking Ahead
The digital archive launched by Tanit XR is only the beginning. The vision is to expand documentation across Tunisia – from Carthage to Dougga, El Jem, and beyond – and to build interactive VR and AR experiences that bring these sites to life.
Imagine a student in Nabeul virtually walking through a Roman villa, or a visitor abroad entering a museum exhibit where Tunisia’s mosaics appear in immersive detail. These experiences can extend the reach of Tunisia’s heritage, strengthening cultural diplomacy and raising awareness of the country’s global significance.
Crucially, Tanit XR intends to keep its archive open and free. Cultural heritage belongs to everyone, and technology offers a way to ensure it remains accessible to future generations.
About the Founder
Ines Said is a Tunisian XR immersive artist and technologist. She founded Tanit XR in 2025 as Tunisia’s first open source digtial heritage initiative, creating a digital library of 3D-scanned archaeological sites on Sketchfab and tanitxr.org. Her climate installation Shadows of Tomorrow won the Gainesville Fine Arts Association Excellence Award and has been showcased at MIT Reality Hack, Parsons (NYC), and Ringling College. Her earlier public art project Covid Reflections toured Florida, California, and Japan, pairing immersive art with mobile health interventions and receiving coverage from ABC, CBS, and UF News.
Through Tanit XR, Ines combines immersive technology, research, and community engagement to highlight Tunisia’s heritage while making it accessible worldwide.
Closing Reflection
For me, this work is deeply personal. As a Tunisian, I grew up surrounded by ruins that felt both eternal and fragile. I’ve seen how quickly history can fade if left unprotected. With Tanit XR, I hope to give back to the land that shaped me, ensuring that Tunisia’s stories live on – not only in stones and mosaics but also in digital form, ready to be discovered by generations to come.
Because heritage is never only about the past. It is about the future we build together.
