The world’s archaeological sites are vanishing faster than they can be protected. Climate change brings floods, storms and heat that accelerate erosion. Without urgent action, pieces of world history could disappear. With every scan, Tanit XR creates a permanent archive. Even if the physical site is lost, the digital memory survives, for schools, museums and future generations.
Tanit XR was founded by Ines Said, who grew up in Tunisia surrounded by ruins. Today, we are a global community of volunteers in Tunisia, the U.S., Europe and Africa who meet every week to scan, optimize, teach and learn history, mentor students, and publish and present research. We are building a free, open archive of Tunisia’s heritage, which we hope will be a model for other underrepresented regions.
Made by volunteers. Claire Natanek made this to hang above your head; tilt your view up and see it the way it wants to be seen.
Explore in 3D
Volunteers capture statues, mosaics and ruins with their phones. Every scan becomes a permanent, open record.
Explore the Archive →
Remote volunteers turn raw scans into game-ready models, AR lessons and our virtual museum.
Visit the virtual museum →
Weekly community calls, history lessons on the sites we scan, and the Splats With Phones workshop.
Join the community →
Interview prep, portfolio reviews and mentoring for students and early-career volunteers, across four continents.
Volunteer with us →
Academic papers, conference presentations, public talks, hackathons and workshops. We publish and share our research and insights with a global audience.
Press & recognition →
We are building a global framework for collaborative digital heritage. It started in Tunisia, inspired by Tanit, the goddess of protection. We are now extending the model globally, partnering with the Unique Mappers in Nigeria and others.
TanitXR & the Unique Mappers →An evening on Tunisian history, on culture travelling between countries, and on using technology for something worthwhile. Dr. Caroline Nickerson on her time in Tunisia, and an introduction to the volunteers who make Tanit XR. For Tunisians and friends of Tunisia equally, and for anyone working where technology, art and social impact meet. Seating is limited, entry is by guest list, so please sign up by Monday October 19.
Every object our volunteers have scanned in Tunisia, one at a time, in 3D, in your browser. Turn each one with a finger. Nura, our guide, floats beside you and tells you what you are looking at. Save the ones you love, share them, collect badges, step into each maker's own gallery, or put on a headset.
Drag to turn
Grants, residencies and open calls for artists and XR creators every one to two weeks, only things we’d apply to ourselves, plus occasional Tanit XR news. Free, unsubscribe any time.
