Young SumDU scientists are participating in the interdisciplinary research project “Scientific Basis for Virtual Reconstruction of Destroyed Cultural Heritage Sites for Recovery Strategy of Ukraine”. The project is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (state registration No. 0125U000440).

The first stage involved a thorough analysis of historical sources, including archival materials, scientific papers, and archaeological reports concerning the historical center of Sumy in the early 20th century and the Zelenohai archaeological complex of the 8th to 13th centuries. Rare documents were digitized: archival maps, diagrams, expedition materials, photographs. This made it possible to create an electronic archive of materials that will become a basis for further virtual 3D reconstruction of cultural heritage sites.

The study relevance is increasing within current challenges associated with full-scale Russian military aggression. The deliberate destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage is part of Russian policy to eliminate the Ukrainian national identity. In this context, virtual reconstruction of historical monuments is not only a scientific task, but also a means of fighting for preservation of Ukrainian identity.

The next stage involves creating 3D reconstructions of lost objects. For this purpose, photogrammetry, laser scanning, and augmented reality methods will be used. The results will allow not only to recreate appearance of monuments in digital format but also to integrate them into the augmented reality environment. It will help to popularize them and attract a wide audience to study the history of their native land.

The project will include a virtual reconstruction of buildings of the Sumy historic center, including architectural objects from the early 20th century that were destroyed during the Soviet period. Besides, the Zelenohai archaeological complex is focused on, which is an important testament to the life of medieval communities in the region.

The project is being implemented by SumDU researchers in cooperation with the O.N. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy. The research head is Ivan PAVLENKO (DSc in Technology, professor of the SumDU Department of Computer Mechanics). Among the main project executors is a young architect Ihor TYTARENKO, a winner of the all-Ukrainian competition for the best project for reconstruction of Independence Square in Sumy.