Google CyArk to help preserve 25 historical sites around the world that are at risk.

Google has partnered with 3D laser scanning nonprofit CyArk to help preserve historical sites around the world that are at risk of irreversible damage or total erasure due to human conflict and natural disasters. The joint effort, called the Open Heritage project, will use CyArk’s laser-scanning technology to capture all the relevant data at a historical site needed to re-create it virtually, so it can be preserved and explored online either on a computer, through a mobile device, or while wearing a virtual reality headset. One such site is the Ananda Ok Kyaung temple in Bagan, Myanmar, which suffered damage during an earthquake in 2016. CyArk managed to laser map the site prior to the disaster, and now an interactive 3D tour through the temple serves as one of the experiences it’s launching with alongside Google with the Open Heritage initiative. Alongside the Ananda Ok Kyuang temple are 24 other locations from 18 countries around the world. Other locations include the Al Azem Palace in Damascus, Syria and the ruins of the Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico. This project marks a new chapter for Google Arts & Culture, because it is the first time that Google put 3D heritage sites on the platform. Google and CyArk are also planning to release the source data of the models. Researchers and other interested parties will be able to apply to download the data to build applications or to analyze it for ways to help preserve and restore the real-life monuments and sites. The Open Heritage models will be available online and on the Google Arts and Culture mobile apps for iOS and Android. Those mobile apps will also support the VR tours through Google’s Daydream platform.