New Taipei secures 300 million NTD for AR archaeological museum experience

In its ongoing efforts to upgrade local cultural resources, the New Taipei City Government has centered on "cultural and creative development." Recently, it was announced that the Shisanhang Museum will receive a 300 million New Taiwan dollar subsidy from the Ministry of Culture under the "Recreating Historical Sites 2.0" project. This initiative not only underscores the importance of the city's historical relics but also represents a practical integration of archaeology and public interaction. It allows residents to personally experience the processes of excavation and research, bringing the vision that "archaeology is no longer distant" to life on site.

Located in Banqiao District, New Taipei City, the Shisanhang Museum has traditionally focused on exhibiting artifacts from early Taiwanese ports and trade, serving as a significant historical window into trade exchanges between Taiwan, mainland China, and Southeast Asia. However, due to limitations in its building and exhibition spaces, many precious artifacts could only be presented through photographs or models, lacking an immersive experience. The subsidy will be used to construct a new earth-covered building. Through the design of underground exhibition areas, the museum will simulate actual excavation scenes and integrate technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This will enable visitors to "dig" with their own hands in a safe environment and read artifact information in real time, thereby enhancing the interactivity of learning and participation.

From a cultural policy perspective, the "Recreating Historical Sites 2.0" project aims to use technological means to recreate historical scenes and improve the accessibility of public historical education. The 300 million New Taiwan dollar investment covers not only the costs of construction and installations but also the training of professional archaeological teams and educators, ensuring that the exhibition content is both academically rigorous and engaging. The New Taipei City Government also expects this project to attract more domestic and international tourists, further enhancing the tourism competitiveness of Banqiao District while injecting new vitality into the local economy.

Furthermore, this initiative aligns with global trends in cultural heritage preservation and digital transformation. In recent years, many countries and cities have been exploring how to combine traditional archaeology with digital interaction to create more participatory cultural experiences. The earth-covered interactive exhibition area of the Shisanhang Museum will serve as a key demonstration case for Taiwan in this field and may become a reference model for the digital transformation of other museums in the future. Through this project, citizens will not only learn about history but also gain a deeper understanding of the rigor and science of archaeological research, thereby enhancing their awareness and support for the protection of cultural heritage.

In summary, the 300 million New Taiwan dollar subsidy awarded to the Shisanhang Museum will have a profound impact across multiple dimensions, including architecture, technology, education, and tourism. It will not only bring a new cultural landmark to New Taipei City but also lower the barrier to archaeology, bringing it into the daily lives of every citizen. Through the new interactive museum, future visitors will be able to feel the prosperity of early maritime trade in Taiwan and the blending of diverse cultures in a more intuitive and concrete manner. This transformation is the best reflection of the continuous innovation and inheritance of Taiwan's cultural and creative industries in the context of globalization. (Source: Central News Agency)