CyArk to Digitally Preserve At-Risk Heritage Sites in Syria, Iraq and Middle East

CyArk, a non-profit organization that has digitally preserved scores of the world’s most famous cultural sites, announced its most audacious effort yet – Project Anqa, a joint initiative with the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to digitally document dozens of at-risk sites in Syria, Iraq and the Middle East.

Laser scan data of the Masjid Wazir Khan Mosque in Pakistan

“The beloved heritage in the ancient Cradle of Civilization is under threat, evidenced by the destruction of landmarks at Palmyra and Mosul,” said Ben Kacyra, president and co-founder, CyArk. “The digital technology exists to preserve measurable 3D models of these historical sites before they are damaged or destroyed. It’s only fitting we announce Project Anqa here in Berlin, which has such a long and rich tradition of archeology and heritage preservation.“

CyArk and ICOMOS, a non-governmental, global organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of cultural heritage sites, will work with local experts in the Middle East to record cultural landmarks using reality-capture technologies such as 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, and traditional survey. Scan results from Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq, the first Anqa site digitally captured, were unveiled today at CyArk’s summit in Berlin.

“CyArk’s summit provides a critical forum for discussions on progress and issues facing the global preservation and conservation movement,” said Gustavo Araoz, president, ICOMOS and chair, the CyArk 500 Advisory Council. “While turmoil in the Middle East demands immediate attention, this is a long-term and evolving effort to ensure we secure and share our collective history.“

CyArk 500 Challenge Gathers Momentum
At a gathering of more than 250 foreign ambassadors, government officials, cultural representatives, and corporate executives representing 35 countries at the Berlin State Library, CyArk unveiled this year’s historical sites officially added to the CyArk 500 Challenge, its international campaign to digitally preserve 500 heritage sites in five years.

In the two years since the launch of the 500, one-third of the slots have been assigned with projects approved by an international council of advisors. Working with governments and local partners, CyArk has completed scans for almost 20% of its overall goal. Completed projects include the Brandenburg Gate (Germany), Ancient Corinth (Greece) and the Ziggurat of Ur (Iraq).

The data collected at each location generates accurate blue prints that can be used to rebuild a site if damage or destruction occurs. Millions of people can virtually experience the digital monuments via a data library on CyArk’s website. Today, nearly 100 sites are available for the public and educators to experience free virtual tours, 3D models and educational lesson plans.

Data Management Challenge Grows
As progress towards the 500 continues, CyArk is also adding storage infrastructure to ensure the protection of, and continued access to, a staggering amount of digital information.

It takes about 10,000GB of data, or the equivalent of 200 trucks of paper, to digitally preserve each site. To manage this tremendous amount of data from field work to an archive, CyArk relies on its partnership with companies in the technology industry.

For example, Seagate Technology plc is providing CyArk with enterprise storage drives, business NAS systems and rugged mobile HDDs that capture, centralize and archive massive data files. Its technology helps CyArk provide a museum of the future, in which millions of people around the world get the opportunity to virtually experience the world’s historical sites in interactive and engaging ways.

In addition, Iron Mountain Incorporated is protecting and preserving digital scans of each monument, archiving the data in a highly-secure underground records and storage facility in western PA. Located 220 feet underground in a former limestone mine, the facility is home to other important and priceless information assets and cultural collections, including rare photo collections and historical documents.

CyArk requests the nomination of additional sites for preservation and the pledging of funds towards its 500 Challenge through donations via the organization’s website.