Tourists can now virtually visit Hegra’s Tomb of Lihyan in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
The Unesco World Heritage site has been recreated digitally with a 3D model and rendered in Decentraland, an Ethereum-powered virtual platform.
It marks the first venture of AlUla into the metaverse, as well as the first time a Unesco landmark has been rendered in the digital world.
Virtual tourists will be able to enter the Hegra tomb, says the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), which visitors in the real world can’t do. They will also be able to interact with virtual touchpoints to access detailed information about the destination.
The digital site also features a rendering of the surrounding desertscape.
The move “represents an exciting evolution of AlUla's unique heritage, acting as an open invitation to travellers, academics and digital explorers to log in and witness AlUla like never before”, said RCU chief executive Amr AlMadani.
He said entering the metaverse is an important step in AlUla’s regeneration, “moving from the physical to the digital realm and accessible to everyone, everywhere”.
The commission is also preparing a calendar of virtual events to be hosted at the new digital Hegra site, which “will digitally introduce people to the wonders of AlUla through the fascinating, high-tech lens of the metaverse”.
Located 20 kilometres north of AlUla, the archaeological site is known for its prolific tombs and rock formations. The Tomb of Lihyan is the largest at 22 metres tall. Hegra is also considered to be the largest preserved site of the ancient Nabatean civilization.
Creative consultancy firm Frog will develop and facilitate the metaverse debut of Hegra, which adds to the growing list of Middle East tourist sites recreated in the virtual world.
Last month, it was announced that Yas Island in Abu Dhabi would be venturing into the metaverse. It was one of the initial steps taken in rendering the UAE capital digitally.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa also got its digital twin last month, promising virtual visitors an immersive experience in the world’s tallest tower.
More information and access to the Hegra metaverse experience is at play.decentraland.org
Hegra: a Unesco World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia — in pictures
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
A State of Passion
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Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
