The Virtual Museum of Iraq is an amazing experiment, not only in opening doors to Iraq’s history but also in the medium in which it is presented. Rivalling any real museum, the Virtual Museum of Iraq allows visitors to enter different eras in history and read informative descriptions on a wide array of historic pieces on display. Beyond this, though, is the ability to examine each piece as if you were holding it in your hand. This degree of interactivity as well as the calm, soothing score of music for each gallery, creates a remarkable experience where not only do you feel you’re in an actual museum, but you’re in an actual museum where you can touch anything and have anything explained to you in great detail.

As well as text descriptions on each piece and the ability to examine objects closely, each hall offers the user a video analysis of each time period. This would be the equivalent of a guided tour in a conventional museum and yet at the touch of a finger the user is given the context and relevance of each piece in front of them in the era it originates, as well as in depth analysis of sources. There are also behind the scenes video interviews with the Italian creators, who expand on the trials and commitment each of the 1000 strong staff had to put into the project.

The museum houses artefacts ranging from the ceremonial clay figurines unearthed in prehistoric necropolis to the monolithic mihrab from mosques dating back to early Islam; every hall aids the nation’s historic journey from ancient Mesopotamia to the roots of modern day Iraq, the journey of a country which is heralded as the origins of modern culture. There are some truly remarkable pieces in the museum itself but, aside from its primary purpose, it is a pioneering method of keeping history interesting. In a virtual museum, anyone with internet access is welcome to enter, regardless of politics or war and the contents can never be damaged or taken. But can virtual reality ever truly eclipse reality itself? Can seeing an item behind a screen and examining each side, detail and curve on it using a mouse ever rival seeing a historic artefact with your own eyes? Regardless of the answer, artefacts and history that some may never have had access to are now open for anyone to see.

The Virtual Museum of Iraq was created in 2009 by Italy’s National Research Council in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was made to preserve the contents of the museum after its looting during the war. The Museum of Iraq has since reopened and developed its own website but the Virtual Museum of Iraq still stands alone as a truly interactive and immersive experience. As well as this, the Italian-designed virtual museum is a bridge between two cultures in an effort to preserve history and promote peace and hopefully a pioneering experience that is built upon in years to come.

Written by: Jonathan Allford