2024-04-27T05:46:58-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/140958669/the-new-monument-men-with-3d-cameras-and-gps-data-against-cultural-annihilation-in-syria-and-beyond Alexander Walter 2015-11-12T19:00:00-05:00 >2015-11-18T00:40:05-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/z8/z8kwvv96bsb6l562.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>That&rsquo;s why a team from the Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA) is turning to the next best option&mdash;using technology to protect cultural heritage. Founded in 2012 by Roger Michel, IDA is a joint effort between Harvard University and Oxford University to create an open-source database of high-resolution images and three-dimensional graphics of things like paper and papyrus documents, epigraphs and small artifacts. Work on what IDA has named the Million Image Database began in early 2015.</p></em><br /><br /><p><img title="" alt="" src="http://cdn.archinect.net/images/650x/95/95ryi215hh3z9hu6.jpg"></p><p>The photo shows the <a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/135031859/isis-blows-up-2-000-year-old-baalshamin-temple-in-palmyra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baal Shamin temple</a> prior to its destruction. Volunteers of the&nbsp;Institute for Digital Archaeology were able to digitally archive the 2,000-year-old&nbsp;structure for the&nbsp;<a href="http://digitalarchaeology.org.uk/new-page/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Million Image Database</a> project just in time before <a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/127649418/isis-militants-seize-control-of-ancient-syrian-city-of-palmyra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISIS fighters seized control</a> of Palmyra's historic site.</p><p>Related on Archinect:</p><ul><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/138261747/isis-militants-have-reportedly-blown-up-palmyra-s-arch-of-triumph" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISIS militants have reportedly blown up Palmyra's Arch of Triumph</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/135031859/isis-blows-up-2-000-year-old-baalshamin-temple-in-palmyra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISIS blows up 2,000-year-old Baalshamin temple in Palmyra</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/121736292/isis-continues-destruction-of-ancient-artefacts-burns-mosul-library-smashes-antique-statues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ISIS continues destruction of ancient artefacts, burns Mosul library, smashes antique statues</a></li><li><a href="http://archinect.com/news/article/103117907/pbs-premiere-of-time-scanners-brings-3d-digital-preservation-technology-to-a-wider-audience" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PBS' premiere of "Time Scanners" brings 3D digital preservation technology to a wider audience</a></li></ul>