Application of AI in the Digital Reconstruction of Archaeological Sites: A Case Study of Al Khiday in Central Sudan

The archaeology at Al Khiday—a site situated on the western bank of the White Nile in central Sudan—goes back to provide a rich historic record left by human activities ranging from Paleolithic to post-Meroitic periods. Dated to 2004, it contains Mesolithic settlements, burial grounds subjected to successive phases, and a variety of functional areas, turning it into one of the key sites for understanding the cultural and political dynamics of the ancient Kushite Kingdom. The project will implement the latest available digital technologies to construct an online platform for the preservation of Al Khiday's heritage. We will combine bioarchaeological research with stratigraphic analysis and radiocarbon dating in the construction of highly detailed virtual models that document the chronological development and cultural practices of this site. The project provides bridging of the gap between academia and public engagement with scientifically correct and visually compelling reconstructions, establishing immediate availability in a number of media. Ensuring correct, validated representations through means such as the Extended Matrix approach or AI tools further foments attention and continued exploration on the archaeological importance of Al Khiday. This is the first such event that brings together technological innovation with rigorous archaeological research toward that end and contributes to the preservation and illumination of cultural history in Sudan.