However, its digital preservation is not confined to the African continent, with models and data collected in Jordan (the ancient city of Petra) and Myanmar (Bagan).

Asked why this work was necessary, Rüther says: “I have seen African heritage being destroyed, from cultural terrorism in places like Timbuktu, vandalism at rock art sites, or people removing stones [from heritage sites and buildings] to build houses.

That makes it necessary to have a digital record of the site… and our data really could be used to educate people about the continent.”

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