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Using Lasers to Help Protect World Artifacts

In the past the thoughts about some of the most important artifacts found in the world today may not have been that high, but recent events have changed the approach many take in looking at some of these historic sites, statues and buildings. The varying threats around the world that exist today have shown that they can have a negative effect on these places, as is evidenced by the destruction of artifacts thousands of years old by terrorists throughout the Middle East in recent months and years. There is now an effort going on through the use of the latest technology to help find a way to protect and preserve world artifacts so they can still be seen by future generations through the use of lasers.

The Threats Faced by Artifacts

While much consideration may not have always been given to finding ways to care for some the most famous locations and statues in the world today, the reality of the situation is that many of these sites and statues are naturally decaying over time. Not only has the threat of terrorism become more of a reality in the world where terrorists seek to destroy beloved locations that are symbols of society all over the world but the physical reality of the world today brings these items under threat. The various climate changes that have occurred in recent years, combined with other environmental factors such as earthquakes and the like, put artifacts at risk nearly every day for one reason or another. Coming up with a way to try to preserve these places thus has become more of priority today.

How Lasers Can Help With This

In the end, while nothing may be able to physically protect these artifacts from falling into ruin, being destroyed or disappearing over time, technology has found a way to help preserve these sites through the use of lasers. The lasers are able to digitally scan these locations, artifacts and sites to create exact digital replicas of the locations that can then be preserved for future generations to examine and look at. The lasers map the physical layout of the relics so that 3D recreations can then be constructed and viewed. This will allow famous locations that may be endanger today or some day in the future to be preserved in such a way that others will be able to use the images for educational access or just for cultural enrichment by bringing these artifacts back to life.

The use of lasers to preserve these artifacts has only recently begin and it can take several years before all of the world’s most important relics have been scanned and saved properly. In the meantime, as the work continues, the technology has become useful in other areas such as law enforcement, where accident recreation of scenes can be conducted quickly and within minutes to get analysis fast. It is also prevalent in the entertainment industry as the lasers have been used to recreate areas that can be used for virtual sets in movies.