Damascus, Sept. 2 (SANA) Digital reconstruction, virtual reality and community participation are being used to preserve Palmyra’s archaeological heritage and restore its cultural role after years of war and destruction, experts said at a seminar in Damascus.
The event, held Tuesday at the National Museum of Damascus, brought together experts involved in international and local efforts to restore archaeological sites in the ancient city and develop the Palmyra National Museum.
The five-year project combines conventional conservation work with digital technologies, including 3D models reconstructed from historical photographs and documents and virtual-reality tours that allow researchers, students and visitors to explore archaeological sites and architectural details.
Carlos Serrano Vásquez, program director at the ALIPH Foundation, said protecting Syrian heritage was essential to preserving cultural identity and continuity.
He said cooperation among international specialists, local experts and communities could strengthen conservation efforts and help safeguard archaeological heritage for future generations.
Rebuilding Palmyra’s museum
Work on the Palmyra National Museum began with an assessment to identify conservation priorities, followed by urgent maintenance and repairs to damaged architectural elements. Exhibition systems, air conditioning and the museum’s surroundings are also being improved.
The project aims to restore the museum as a cultural and tourism destination while introducing interactive technologies to tell the story of Palmyra and the region’s historical and environmental diversity.
Organizers say the initiative could also contribute to the local economy by encouraging tourism, creating jobs and strengthening cooperation with residents.
From archaeological site to living memory
Patrick Maxime Michel, a lecturer at the University of Lausanne, said the project takes a participatory approach that combines scientific research and digital documentation with the experiences of local residents and communities abroad.
Rather than presenting Palmyra through a single historical period, the initiative seeks to document the different eras and uses of the site and explore how they have shaped the community’s cultural memory.
Missing archaeological elements are being digitally reconstructed using archival photographs and historical documents. The resulting 3D models are intended as research and educational tools rather than replacements for the original artifacts and monuments.
The project has also involved local communities, refugees and Syrians living abroad through educational and artistic activities inspired by Palmyra’s decorative motifs and heritage.
Michel said virtual reality could provide access to parts of the archaeological site that are difficult to reach while offering new ways to teach visitors about its history and architecture.
The seminar is part of a twice-monthly series aimed at strengthening cooperation between the ALIPH Foundation and Palmyra’s local community and supporting the preservation of cultural heritage in areas damaged by war.
R.D/ABD
