Beauty Will Save the World, and Technology Will Save Art

A Challenge for Restorers

At the International Forum of United Cultures in St. Petersburg, scientists presented a project to restore the famous arch of ancient Palmyra. The monument, built under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, was partly destroyed by militants in 2015 during the Syrian civil war—its central section and one pylon blown apart with dynamite.

Because of the site’s exceptional artistic and historical value, international specialists joined forces to save it. The effort is led by the Center for Rescue Archaeology of the Institute for the History of Material Culture at the Russian Academy of Sciences, in partnership with Syria’s Department of Antiquities. After archaeological fieldwork was completed, experts from the State Hermitage Museum, architect Maxim Atayants’s bureau, and Studio 44 joined the restoration team.

Unlike restoring buildings damaged by fire, earthquakes, or time, reconstructing Palmyra’s arch requires a different approach: this was deliberate destruction, leaving an unprecedented pattern of ruin.

Scanning Every Surviving Stone

Without modern technologies, restoration would be impossible. First, researchers carried out surface imaging to assess the monument’s condition and catalog the remaining fragments that could serve as anchors for reconstruction.

Digital technologies used for cultural heritage preservation help us collect and analyze vital data. That’s especially critical today, when every heritage site carries inherent risks. The threats vary—from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria to land development, armed conflicts, terrorism, and disasters. Right now, in the Middle East and North Africa alone, more than 211,000 monuments are under threat. Sadly, the 21st century has seen deliberate destruction become one of the most common dangers

Natalia Solovyova

Director of the Center for Rescue Archaeology at the Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences

In recent years, archaeologists have turned to BIM (Building Information Modeling) for heritage projects. Applied to structures with layered histories, BIM goes beyond 3D scanning by creating parametric models that map interdependencies between architectural elements.

Teams conducted archaeological clearing and recorded debris, scanning each fragment to build individual 3D models. These digital replicas were then virtually repositioned, allowing specialists to recreate the original structure with striking precision. In the process, they generated a high-fidelity digital copy of the entire Palmyra site, covering 21 square kilometers. Experts estimate full restoration could take about three years.

Cultural Dialogue as Diplomacy

At a time when cultural sites face threats from natural disasters, war, and terrorism, new technologies are reshaping how we safeguard global heritage.

The Palmyra project illustrates the importance of international collaboration in protecting shared cultural values. Russian specialists have coordinated their work with global experts, underscoring the initiative’s significance for world heritage.

BIM, photogrammetry, and digital reconstruction usage sets new standards for cultural preservation. It also demonstrates the capabilities of Russian research institutes and technology firms in digital restoration—competencies increasingly in demand across the globe. Participation in such projects not only preserves monuments but also fosters trust between nations, turning culture into a tool of diplomacy.