Digital tools to combat cultural property trafficking unveiled at workshop

The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence recently successfully hosted a groundbreaking hybrid workshop, showcasing cutting-edge digital tools designed to fight the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

Α relevant press release said the 5 February event, part of the European ENIGMA project, was funded by Horizon Europe and brought together experts and professionals from archaeology and cultural heritage protection fields.

Held at the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus in Nicosia (pictured above), the workshop attracted dozens of international participants who joined online, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge exchange. The event was a joint effort between the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence and key archaeological institutions in Cyprus, including the Association of Cypriot Archaeologists and the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI). Additional support came from the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, ICOMOS Cyprus, and the Cyprus Police.

Attendees were introduced to a suite of innovative digital tools being developed under the ENIGMA project. These include the UAI concept, Provenance Research tool, Earth Observation toolkit, Scenario Building Engine, and 3D CG reconstruction technology. Each tool represents a significant advancement in the fight against cultural property theft and trafficking.

Dr. Elena Christodoulou, lead researcher at the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, said the workshop marks a pivotal moment "in our ongoing efforts to protect cultural heritage. The tools presented today will empower authorities and researchers with unprecedented capabilities to track, authenticate, and safeguard precious artifacts".

The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence leads efforts against illicit trafficking by developing a satellite-based system that identifies suspicious activities anywhere in near real-time using advanced algorithms.

The ENIGMA project continues to support the development of advanced solutions for the protection of cultural heritage, contributing significantly to both European and international efforts to safeguard our cultural identity. Through collaboration with stakeholders and experts, ENIGMA project aspires to become a benchmark in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

(Source: CNA)