AI brings Qin back to life

Artificial intelligence-generated content is being used to bring to life artifacts, relics and even people from the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) in Central China's Hunan province.

Hunan Mangowenwen Technology in Changsha has teamed up with archaeologists in Longshan county for the project, which uses AIGC to extrapolate information from documents and items uncovered from the period.

Zhang Gangyi, general manager of the company, demonstrated the technology to archaeologist Long Jingsha by creating a vivid sketch of the historical figure magistrate Hua from the some 38,000 bamboo slips discovered at an archaeological site in 2002. "I think he was pleasantly surprised when I finished," Zhang said.

The discovery of the slips uncovered a missing piece of history, providing a 15-year comprehensive record of administration, defense, economy and social life in what was known as Qianling county of the Dongting commandery, under Qin rule. Hua was one of the local officials documented on the slips, and thanks to the work of Zhang and his colleagues, he has been "brought to life" after 2,000 years.

The AI recreation of magistrate Hua now guides visitors through history at the Liye Ancient Town Archaeological Site Park. The park underwent a comprehensive renovation earlier this year and reopened to the public in October. The reopened park features a new smart guiding system developed by Hunan Mangowenwen Technology.