Snapchat Brings Ancient Wonders to Homes with AR Partnership Ahead of New Documentary

Snapchat has partnered with historian Bettany Hughes OBE and SandStone Global Productions to bring the world's seven ancient wonders into users' homes through augmented reality (AR). Developed by Snapchat's Paris-based AR studio team, this initiative aims to offer immersive, historically accurate visualizations of iconic monuments like the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Statue of Zeus at Olympia. The AR experience is launched in conjunction with Hughes' upcoming documentary series, "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World with Bettany Hughes," which explores these marvels across three continents. Viewers in the UK can access AR models of the monuments by scanning QR codes during the show's broadcast on Channel 5, allowing them to virtually place these ancient structures within their living spaces. Bettany Hughes describes the experience as multisensory, providing users with detailed visuals and scale comparisons, such as current landmarks like Big Ben, to enhance understanding of the wonders' grandeur. This collaboration follows Snap's recent AR projects, including an art experience at Versailles, reflecting the company's expanding focus on cultural and immersi...