One of the most effective ways to learn and progress as a society is through grasping our respective histories, which for better or worse, have inevitably led us to where we all stand today. Unfortunately, the Middle East is slowly losing parts of their history and heritage because of rising extremist groups throughout the area, as well as conflicts brought to the region. Although these extremist have set out to destroy archaeological sites and monuments, the United Arab Emirates’ Dubai Museum of Future Foundation are combating this potential eradication of history with the help of 3D imaging.
The museum is collaborating with UNESCO and the UK-based Institute for Digital Archaeology in order to recreate destroyed or defaced historical areas within the Middle East, keeping the history and heritage of their past intact. Both UNESCO and the IDA started this as a joint venture between Harvard University and Oxford University, with the goal of using 3D imaging technology to recreate and document archaeological sites.
By using 3D imaging technology, the UAE’s project will serve to create detailed replicas of different historical regions, which will then be collected in a database full of historical archaeological sites from all over the Middle East. This project demonstrates that, though historical artifacts and monuments may themselves be physically destroyed, the important context they behold can now be infinitely preserved with a database of 3D models. By the end of 2015, the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation plans to collect over one million digital images of these various archaeological sites and monuments, piecing them together into realistic, historically accurate 3D models.
“It is important to preserve heritage sites as they serve as a source of inspiration for innovators and pioneers to build the future. 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,” said Al Gergawi, the Managing Director of Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation.
His point is a valid one; only through our own history can we learn and progress forward as a society. Those who are against this progression have turned to destroying historically important areas in order to erase heritage and culture from Middle Eastern society, but, with the UAE’s latest use of 3D printing technology, these endangered and historically rich areas may now remain accessible in the realm of 3D modeling for an eternity. By collecting and storing our fragile history within the digital realm, we can ensure that no matter who or what may destroy the monuments and artifacts of our society, we will still have the digital record to keep our past in tact and our mind’s informed.
