Research Projects
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EAMENA
Project type Documentation; Cartography Institution type University Parent institution University of Oxford (UK) Methods Satellite imagery (GIS) Geographical area Middle East Website https://eamena.org/ Summary EAMENA’s primary aim is to rapidly record and evaluate the status of the archaeological landscape of the MENA region in order to create an accessible body of data which can be used by national and international heritage professionals to target those sites most in danger and better plan and implement the preservation and protection of this heritage.
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Curia Lab
Project type Reasech Institution type University Parent institution University of New Haven; University of Virginia Methods GIS Geopgraphical area Syria, Egypt Website https://curialab.org/ Summary The CURIA Lab supports innovative analysis to measure the impacts of loss to culture including both property and heritage. They promote data and analytical tools that are flexible and responsive to the needs of key stakeholders. In doing so, they aim to support accountability and cultural justice processes. Our data collection and analysis efforts currently include Syria, Egypt, and Italy with plans to expand geographically over the next 5 years.
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Conflict antiquities
Project type Blog Institution type Independant Methods OSINT Geographic area Iraq, Syria, Turkey Website https://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/ Summary Conflict antiquities are cultural objects that are looted/stolen, trafficked/smuggled, sold/bartered and/or taxed/racketeered to finance or incentivise political violence, from invasion and espionage to insurgency and terrorism. On top of the immediate violence, this plunder has a devastating impact on communities’ self-understanding, development and peace.In his blog, cultural property criminologist Sam Hardy explore the trade in illicit antiquities, and the destruction of community and cultural property, during economic crises, by organised crime and through political violence. He focusses on investigating and analysing crimes against cultural heritage and community property.He also covers other uses/treatments of cultural…
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Armenian heritage scanning project
Project type Documentation Institution type NGO Parent institution Armenian Cultural Heritage Institute / TUMO Methods 3D scanning Geographic area Armenia Website https://armenianculturalheritageinstitute.org/en Summary The Armenian Cultural Heritage Institute grew out of the Armenian Heritage Scanning Project, launched in 2020 by TUMO Center for Creative Technologies. In that initiative, young people and professionals collaborated to 3D scan hundreds of historical sites across Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, using laser scanning and photogrammetry. Over time, this work evolved beyond field documentation into a broader cultural and educational effort, one that brought together students, local communities, and international partners.To expand that vision and fuel fresh cultural output, the Armenian Cultural Heritage Institute was founded as…
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Alliance for research on cultural heritage in Europe
Project type Research, Network Institution type European Consortium Parent institution European Union Website https://www.heritageresearch-hub.eu/arche-home/# Summary ARCHE – Alliance for Research on Cultural Heritage in Europe project is a European initiative aimed at structuring and coordinating research in heritage sciences. It brings together numerous partners to define common priorities, develop a strategy (SRIA) and strengthen cooperation between institutions. The project is based on prospective analyses, consultations and networking, rather than fieldwork. Its objective is to better direct funding and long-term research policies.
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Aliph Museums in Yemen: Safeguarding and Archiving Museum Objects, Yemen
Project type Conservation Institution type University Parent institution CEPAM-CNRS Methods Inventories, safeguarding of collections, materials Geographic area Yemen Website https://www.cepam.cnrs.fr/contact/lamya-khalidi/
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Emergency Assessment of Threats to Heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh
Project type Documentation, Cartography Institution type University Parent institution University of Durham (UK) Methods Satellite imagery, Cartography (GIS) Geographic area Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan Website https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/archaeology/research/archaeology-research-projects/emergency-assessment-of-threats-to-heritage-in-nagorno-karabakh/ Summary The project aims first to create a baseline dataset (an inventory) covering archaeological sites and standing historic buildings in Nagorno-Karabakh, giving equal consideration to sites of all periods and heritage of all communities that live or have lived in the region. It also undertakes an assessment of the current condition of these places, primarily through satellite imagery inspection and published sources. The result offers a snapshot of the extent and condition of heritage places in Nagorno-Karabakh as of 2022, providing a reference dataset to…
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Caucasus Heritage Watch
Project type Documentation, Research Institution type University Parent institution Cornell University Methods Satellite imagery, Cartography (GIS) Geophraphic area Armenia, Azerbaijan Website https://caucasusheritage.cornell.edu Summary The Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW) programme, led by Cornell University, is a research initiative founded in 2020 to monitor and document threatened cultural heritage in the South Caucasus, particularly in Nagorno-Karabakh. It uses satellite imagery to track the condition of sites in near real time and conducts historical analyses of heritage erasure. Its goal is to produce evidence, strengthen political accountability and alert the international community, while contributing to heritage preservation in a conflict context.
