Digital preservation of endangered cultural heritage in conflict zones

Abstract

The study aimed to explore the role of digital technologies in preserving cultural heritage in conflict zones, ensuring the safety of historical and cultural identity amid warfare. The study examined the risks and digital solutions for preserving both tangible and intangible legacies during armed conflicts. Challenges arising from unstable environments, scarce technical resources, and disrupted infrastructure that hinder the use of methods such as 3D scanning, remote sensing, and digital modelling to document and reconstruct damaged sites were addressed. Ethical concerns regarding ownership and informed consent were evaluated alongside logistical issues resulting from geopolitical constraints and fragmented collaboration among local communities, governments, and international agencies. Case studies from Syria, Afghanistan, Mali, and Ukraine illustrated the application of digital tools for heritage documentation and recovery under adverse conditions. Technological innovations, including blockchain-based provenance tracking, edge computing for local data processing, decentralised storage networks, and AI-assisted predictive risk mapping, were discussed as strategies to secure and maintain digital records. The findings demonstrated that despite technical and geopolitical barriers, local stakeholders have demonstrated remarkable adaptability by using low-cost, open-source tools to continue documentation efforts. Community engagement emerged as a key enabler in digital preservation, with grassroots initiatives often leading data collection and storytelling. International partnerships were most effective, when they supported, not supplanted, local agency. Additionally, respondents emphasised the urgent need for sustainable digital infrastructure and culturally sensitive data governance models. The study also considered relevant international legal frameworks that supported proactive preservation efforts. Lastly, it advocated for integrated digital approaches that combined technological advances with community participation to protect cultural assets and support recovery efforts in conflict-affected regions, ensuring their enduring preservation