LONDON — We all know to back up our files and photos, but what about our castles and churches?
A nonprofit named CyArk, based in Oakland, Calif., has created digital copies of more than 100 of the world’s best-known monuments, mapping Roman ruins, ancient statues and even an entire island. Now it plans 400 more, with the goal of digitally preserving the world’s most important sites against war, wear and climate change.
“There is never going to be enough time or money to preserve everything,” said Barbara Kacyra, a founder of CyArk, at a launch event at the Tower of London.
Not only do the lasers capture nooks and minute damage invisible to most cameras with millimeter precision, the 3-D data can be used to create hyper-realistic models and flyover programs used by tourists and educators.
Kacyra said the project was born out of the heartbreak of seeing the Taliban pulverize the Afghan Buddha statues in 2001.
