Project

1. Our Mission: Open Science and Sustainability

Traditionally, vast amounts of research data collected through public grants (such as KAKENHI) have often remained under individual management, risking loss or “dormancy” upon a researcher’s retirement.

The Database of Historical Monuments in Islamic Cairo (DHMIC) was established to break this cycle. Our mission is to transform personal research collections into shared digital resources, creating a sustainable model for the preservation and secondary use of architectural data.

2. Scholarly Value: Beyond a Photo Gallery

We provide more than just images; we offer “high-value-added data” designed to accelerate architectural and historical research.

  • Comprehensive Identification:　Each entry integrates various IDs and names used in previous studies, allowing for cross-disciplinary reference.
  • Spatial Analysis with GIS:　By combining monument location data with historical maps, the database enables sophisticated geographical analysis of Cairo’s urban development.
  • Universal Accessibility via IIIF:　Implementing the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF), we ensure our high-resolution images can be compared, collected, and viewed across different institutional platforms globally.

3. Core Collections & Temporal Comparison

The database primarily archives two significant periods:

  • The Fukami Collection (2010s):　Comprehensive documentation of over 6,000 images covering 1,257 registered monuments.
  • The Arai Collection (1994):　Rare visual records of Cairo’s urban fabric prior to major modern restoration projects.

By providing these datasets in an integrated format, the project facilitates a longitudinal study of architectural change and conservation history in Historic Cairo.

4. Future Initiatives: Enhancing Research and Educational Resources

We are continuously developing new features to transform this database into a robust platform for both advanced research and academic education. Our current initiatives include:

  • Image Annotation & AI-Driven Search:　We are building a system that applies detailed annotations to architectural photographs. This will enable users to perform automated searches for specific architectural elements (e.g., dome styles, muqarnas, or inscription types), facilitating large-scale comparative analysis.
  • Digitization of Historical Maps for GIS Analysis:　To support sophisticated spatial analysis, we are digitizing historical maps of Cairo. By integrating these as geospatial data, researchers can track the urban transformation of the city and the spatial relationships between monuments over centuries.
  • Stable Integration with External Platforms:　We are exploring ways to ensure stable and sustainable linkages with other international academic databases and digital repositories. By fostering an interconnected data environment, we aim to contribute to the global network of Open Science.

Acknowledgements

This project has been made possible through the support and collaboration of various organizations and individuals. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to:

  • Grants & Funding:
    The contents on this website are based on the outcomes of the following projects:
  • IRC Project (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025): “Creating A Database of Historical Monuments in Islamic Cairo”
  • Joint Research Project of ILCAA (Academic year 2020–2022): “The Visualization of the History and Historical Space of the Middle East: Sharing Knowledge in the Digital Age”
  • Joint Research Project of ILCAA (Academic year 2023–2025): “Cultural Heritage Archiving of Historic Cairo and its Practical Use for Research and Education” (jrp000290)

We also received the following grant support:

  • ILCAA Research Program (2020):
    “Middle East and Islamic Studies: Political, Social, and Cultural Polarization and Its Backgrounds in the Middle East and the Muslim World”

System Development & Design:

  • Brand Concept — For their expertise in web architecture, Omeka integration, and the implementation of our digital archive system.
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