ARTEMIS project: Redefining the future of cultural heritage conservation through reactive digital twins
The ARTEMIS project began on 1st January 2025 and it is set to revolutionize the preservation, restoration, and safeguarding of cultural heritage by exploiting the transformative power of Reactive Digital Twin technology. By merging cutting-edge digital methodologies with heritage science data, ARTEMIS aims to create dynamic, responsive, and predictive tools to address the challenges faced by cultural assets in an ever-changing world.
At its core, ARTEMIS seeks to elevate the concept of Digital Twins beyond static 3D models to what it defines as Reactive Heritage Digital Twins (RHDT). These advanced systems will simulate the impact of real-world events—such as climate change, natural disasters, and human interventions—on cultural heritage assets, enabling proactive strategies to mitigate risks and optimize conservation efforts.
Drawing on the UNESCO definition of cultural heritage, ARTEMIS encompasses artifacts, monuments, sites, historic towns, cultural landscapes, and intangible traditions. By integrating data from diverse sources, including sensors, environmental models, and simulation software, ARTEMIS will create a unified digital laboratory capable of addressing the complex needs of cultural heritage preservation.
ARTEMIS builds on the successes of prominent initiatives such as 4CH, which designed a Competence Center for Cultural Heritage Conservation, and ARIADNE, a research infrastructure aggregating millions of archaeological records. By incorporating the latest developments in immersive technologies like AR/VR and the Internet of Cultural Things (IoCT), ARTEMIS will foster deeper engagement with heritage while advancing research and education.
" ARTEMIS represents a digital revolution in cultural heritage management, " said Luca Pezzati, Project Coordinator. "We are not just preserving the past; we are equipping the heritage sector with the tools to navigate the future. "
Through its innovative RHDT framework, the ARTEMIS project is set to revolutionize the way we interact with and protect cultural heritage. These pioneering applications will be tested on pilot cases, showcasing their potential to revolutionize heritage preservation and engagement.
The ARTEMIS project is about taking better care of our history by using real-time data to spot potential damage before it happens. This means we can protect valuable artifacts and sites more effectively.
It is also about making smarter decisions. ARTEMIS empowers decision-makers with actionable, data-driven insights, enabling them to allocate resources wisely and prioritize restoration efforts where they are needed most. This means cultural heritage not only survives but thrives under thoughtful stewardship.
The ARTEMIS interactive approach will foster a deeper connection between people and the cultural heritage, by offering a new way to experience history—immersive AR and VR technologies bring ancient stories and treasures to life.
ARTEMIS will also provide researchers with cutting-edge virtual platforms to push the boundaries of heritage science. These secure digital environments will allow scholars to explore, experiment, and innovate with heritage assets like never before.
Collaborations with flagship European initiatives, such as DestinE (the Digital Twin of the Earth) and the European Cooperative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), will ensure ARTEMIS remains at the forefront of innovation.
More information:
Applying Reactive Twins to Enhance Monument Information Systems, (2024). DOI: 10.3030/101188009
Provided by CNR-INO