Digital innovation brings ancient treasures to life

[Video/UNNC]

A new collaboration between the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and Ningbo Museum is using AI technology to breathe new life into ancient Chinese artifacts by letting them "speak" through vivid digital visuals.

The project shows several cultural treasures, including the "Brass 'Yue' (Axe) with Rowing Men of Feather Headdress", a national first-grade relic from the Warring States period (475-211 BC). These artifacts, along with others such as the Carved Ivory Eagle Head from the Hemudu culture and the Celadon Lotus-Leaf Tea Bowl from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), are brought to life through AI-generated images, offering viewers a chance to explore their origins and historical significance.

The project's aim is to go beyond simple digitalization by focusing on the deeper cultural meanings embedded in these objects.

"Our goal is not just to revitalize the artifacts' appearance but to communicate the rich cultural heritage they represent," said project leaders from both the Ningbo Museum and UNNC.

However, creating these digital representations was far from easy. "There's a lot of randomness involved in generating AI images, which makes controlling the details difficult," said Zhao Meng, a student leading the team behind the Brass 'Yue'.

Zhao also described the difficulties in recreating a scene where a shaman is performing a ritual. "Even with hundreds of carefully chosen keywords, the AI results often didn't match our expectations, requiring numerous revisions and adjustments," she added, highlighting the patience and technical skills needed.

Looking ahead, the project team plans to expand the initiative.

"We aim to create cultural products based on these digital representations and share them with global audiences," said Ye Weiluyi, the operational head of the project.