Lost in Time, Rediscovered in Augmented Reality: Virtual Reconstruction of Bibi Jawindi’s Tomb (c.1494) at Uch Sharif

On the eroding western edge of the historic mound of Uch Sharif (Pakistan), the iconic Suhrawardi Sufi tomb of Bibi Jawindi, constructed c .1494, survives in a partial state. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) named it one of the hundred most endangered sites, along with other nearby structures, on its Watch List. Due to Pakistan’s political and economic problems, this vital landmark cannot be restored to its original form, hence its sustainable digital restoration is urgently needed. This article first establishes the transcultural and artistic significance of Bibi Jawindi’s tomb, then examines how augmented reality (AR) technology can best and affordably reconstruct the destroyed parts. The authors’ research and experimentation used numerous devices and software to construct high-quality 3D models of the structure and generate a universal QR code to experience augmented and virtual reality (VR) images on the site. Common handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets, and mixed reality headsets were used to compare the 3D reconstructed model with the extant tomb. This process was studied and documented to demonstrate the potential of AR-based virtual reconstruction as an inexpensive solution to preserving and interpreting lost architecture, and to provide researchers, conservationists, architects, and heritage enthusiasts with a valuable resource.