Jul 11, 2017

•July 25 2013 There is a new way to look at archeological sites in Israel. Architip, a recently funded Israeli start-up, brings history to life. No matter how spectacular a historical site might seem, many people struggle to stay interested looking at the crumbled ruins of an old site. It’s hard to picture how magnificent something once was without the actual image or structure, and that is what Yaron Benvenisti set out to do. Using augmented reality (AR) technology, which “uses mathematics, models, location services, camera technology, and advanced algorithms to impose a virtual image that melds into a real-life one” as Benvenisti told Times of Israel. Architip shows what Israeli historical sites used to look like. Architip’s pilot program, led by Sagiv Phillip, maps the fortified city of Tel Lachish, an archeological site in Israel. Nowadays, it is hard to see the towers and buildings that once made the city, but Architip allows users to see what the site once was by simply using their smartphones. “We wanted to help bridge the ‘imagination gap’ between what you see and what’s behind the plain view,” Benvenisti told Times of Israel. “People want to experience more and our technology is perfect for that.” Architip can also be used on other Israeli sites such as the Dome of the Rock, which will transform into the Second Temple on your smartphone’s screen. Architip makes historical sites more exciting, and Benvenisti plans to sell it to tourist attractions. “They can offer the download for a few dollars, or make it a part of the admission package, and give every visitor the experience of having a personal guide.” So far the app is only available for specific Israeli sites, but with some more sponsors and an expanded database of sites, Architip will soon enhance tourist attractions around the world. Architip does something that no other tour-guide, pamphlet, or guidebook can do. “Archeology is my passion” Benvenisti told many reporters, hopefully this app will ignite that passion in others. Sources: