We can now 3D print copies of the precious historical artifacts ISIS destroyed

An endangered, historically significant, Middle Eastern artifact may soon be coming to a location near you — well, a plastic copy of it, anyway.

Harvard University, Oxford University, and Dubai's Museum of the Future are teaming up at the Institute for Digital Archaeology to 3D-print several replicas of the Arch of Palmyra this spring and display them in public spaces and museums in New York and London. This is just one step in the Institute's larger plan to develop a one-million-image database documenting important historical artifacts for potential 3D replication.

The project takes on a new urgency in light of ISIS terrorists' disturbing habit of blowing up historical sites like Palmyra, where the arch narrowly survived demolition this fall.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up