Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544693
8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 1 MAY 2026 CULTURE HERITAGE Malta is further consolidating Malta's grow- ing contribution to Europe's shared digital heritage land- scape through its participation in Twin it! 3D for Europe's Culture – Part II. This year, a high-quality digital twin of Gozo's Ġgantija was submit- ted. Twin it! is a European Com- mission initiative support- ing European Union member states in their efforts to create and share 3D models of their significant heritage objects and architecture to Europeana – the common European da- ta space for cultural heritage. Following its successful entry consisting of a 3D replica of the Ċittadella in the first Twin It! campaign, Malta is this year presenting a detailed 3D mod- el of yet another Gozitan gem – the Ġgantija Archaeological Park in Xagħra. A UNESCO World Herit- age Site, Ġgantija is one of the world's oldest freestand- ing monuments, dating back to 3800 BCE. Situated within a remarkable archaeological landscape and consisting of two Late Neolithic structures, the complex is a significant addition to Malta's expanding digital heritage portfolio. This model highlights the pioneering work of Heritage Malta's Technology and Ex- perience Development Unit, showcasing a comprehensive, multi-modal digitisation pro- cess that combines drone pho- togrammetry, LiDAR scan- ning, and scientific analysis of material condition. This has resulted in the most detailed and comprehensive digital dataset of the site produced to date. Most importantly, it sets a benchmark for digitisa- tion that is precise, verifiable, transparent, and rooted in au- thenticity. Beyond geometry, the mod- el was developed within the framework of a 'Memory Twin' – integrating a r c h a e o l o g i c a l interpretation, conservation data, and h i s t o r i c a l r e s e a r c h into a dy- n a m i c , s p a t i a l l y a n c h o r e d i n f o r m a - tion system. This ensures that Ġgantija is preserved not only as a monument, but as a living archive of knowl- edge, accessible for research, education, and creative reuse. The digitisation also supports ongoing conservation efforts, particularly in the face of cli- mate change and increased visitor pressures. In addition to Europeana, the model is also accessible on eMuseum, Heritage Malta's platform for digitised heritage, at: h t t p s : / / e m u s e u m . h e r i t a g e - malta.mt/exhibitions/8/ggan- tija-3d-model-for-europeana- twin-it-part-ii. Through initiatives such as Twin it! and participation in collaborative events like Hack- it!4EU, Heritage Malta contin- ues to position Malta at the forefront of digital heritage innovation, transforming how cultural heritage is accessed, experienced, and preserved for future generations. Malta digitises Ggantija for Europe's digital heritage space