DUBAI // A global partnership forged to help preserve Middle East history for future generations – and thwart extremists who see history as a threat to their existence – plans to take one million digital images of heritage sites so they can be rebuilt with a 3-D printer should they be damaged.
In recent years there has been rampant looting and destruction of heritage sites in Iraq and Syria and this month the 2,000-year-old Arch of Triumph in Palmyra, Syria, was destroyed by ISIL.
“This destruction shows how extremists are terrified by history and culture – because understanding the past undermines and delegitimises their claims – and embodies an expression of pure hatred and ignorance,” said Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
“Palmyra symbolises everything that extremists abhor – cultural diversity, dialogue between cultures, the encounter of peoples of all origins in this caravan city between Europe and Asia.”
The Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation has teamed up with Unesco and the UK-based Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA), a joint venture between Harvard University and the University of Oxford, to utilise technology in preserving the Middle East’s heritage.
“It is important to preserve heritage sites as they serve as a source of inspiration for innovators and pioneers to build the future,” said Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, the vice
chairman of the board of trustees and managing director of Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation.
“What we are doing today is part of our efforts to give back to the history of our region and build on the achievements of our rich past.”
Dr Roger Michel, executive director of the Institute for Digital Archaeology, said they would redouble efforts to restore the landscape of the Middle East, and the symbols that have been destroyed or defaced.
“These symbols – the architecture and objects of the ancient world – speak powerfully to what unites East and West and so are needed now more than ever,” said Dr Michel, who signed the partnership agreement.
“The UAE is a great friend of this important work.”
The partnership is part of Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation’s vision to build a long-term cooperation with academic and scientific institutions and research centres, and highlights the UAE as a progressive nation on the global map, said Saif Al Aleeli, chief executive of the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation.
The Future Foundation aims to have up to one million digital images of the sites taken, using 3-D imaging technology, by the end of the year.
It will distribute 5,000 3-D cameras to partners and volunteers to carry out the work, which will be done under the supervision of archaeologists from Harvard and Oxford universities as well as being overseen by teams from Unesco.
IDA along with the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation has created a portal to collect the images and plans to keep the media and social networking sites updated with progress on the work.
The Foundation plans to announce educational initiatives to create interest and awareness in support of the project.
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