Intelligent Reality Meets Antiquity: An AI-Powered Virtual Journey to Ancient Ephesus

Abstract

The main motivation for this study stems from the significant challenges posed by long-standing issues such as mass tourism and sustainable conservation in an era where cultural heritage sites are under unprecedented pressure. These extraordinary circumstances have strongly demonstrated the necessity of virtual access to cultural heritage sites. The integration of digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), and immersive technologies with three-dimensional (3D) digital reconstruction offered a unique opportunity to reconstruct and experience the ancient city of Ephesus, home to many important structures, most notably the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. An interdisciplinary research process involving extensive data analysis and detailed comparative analysis of historical datasets played a critical role in the convincing and historically coherent reconstruction of ancient Ephesus. In this process, advanced technologies that could be used to achieve the objective were evaluated and integrated into the project. Our research lines in cultural heritage (CH), digital twins, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were incorporated in this context. While immersive technology creates virtual environments where visitors can travel through time and feel as though they are truly there, AI offers innovative tools that enhance user interaction, allowing visitors to explore the ancient city as it once was. The user experience is further enriched with opportunities to interact with the historical inhabitants of the city, which is populated with virtual humans (VHs). In this context, AI-powered avatars are incorporated into the scenes, guiding visitors and providing an interactive experience that boosts overall engagement. The project results in an impressive digital reconstruction, a remarkable animation, and an educational, immersive, and highly realistic virtual Ephesus journey. A previously unreachable sense of spatial and temporal presence has been successfully achieved through the combined power of digital technologies. © 2025 IEEE.