PrArcHeritage

The issues of comprehensive monitoring of the Arctic cultural heritage, protection, preservation and restoration in the long term of its material objects (monuments, structures, natural landscapes) and intangible heritage (language, traditions, customs, rituals, folklore) are becoming more relevant.

The Arctic is a region with many thousands of years of history, having a rich natural and cultural heritage on its territory. According to UNESCO, there are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites here, some of which are in the Russian part of the Arctic, these are: "The Historical and Cultural Complex of the Solovetsky Islands", "The Natural Complex of the Wrangel Island Reserve", as well as 2 objects included in the Preliminary World Heritage List – "Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea" and "Monuments of Arctic Marine St. John's Wort of Chukotka", in addition to several hundred monuments of regional and local significance located in the circumpolar latitudes and of no less interest.

Under the influence of current climatic processes, as well as negative anthropogenic impact, cultural and historical objects are threatened with extinction. The risk of their loss is further aggravated by the lack of proper protective measures and the impact of global climate change, which increases the negative impact of anthropogenic factors on unique objects and accelerates their degradation and final loss. Urbanization is replacing the traditional cultural space: architectural ensembles of cities, noble and landed estates, temples and monasteries are being rebuilt; wooden and stone buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries become objects of complete or partial reconstruction. Thus, over the past decades, for various reasons (environmental, anthropogenic impact, technological progress, etc.), a large number of unique historical structures in the Arctic and circumpolar regions have been destroyed or irretrievably lost. The uniqueness of the Arctic heritage cannot be preserved in the form in which it could be, if innovative approaches to the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage objects are not applied for this. States require special expertise, and northern universities and the business community are just interested in attracting more competencies to fill gaps and expand cooperation with both national and international partners. Thus, the issue of finding innovative and at the same time economically sound solutions for preserving and recreating the authentic appearance of current and lost monuments for future generations is becoming more and more urgent.

The aim of the project is to strengthen cooperation between scientific and educational institutions, government and business, improve knowledge and develop expertise in the field of architectural and technological solutions for the preservation and sustainable management of unique objects of the Arctic cultural heritage using the technology of digitization and visualization VIAR with the subsequent application of the received developments throughout the Arctic region.

Data collection and creation of a database and a digital map of the Arctic Window (including objects of historical and cultural value for the indigenous peoples of the North)

Identification of a range of problems and insufficiently studied topics related to the study, preservation and popularization of the cultural heritage of the Arctic, development of appropriate solutions to them (at pilot sites), including involving the experience and knowledge of indigenous peoples

Recreating the authentic appearance of the pilot cultural heritage sites using virtual and augmented reality (3D modeling technology) in the existing environment with the possibility of subsequent virtual visits (wide audience coverage, inclusiveness and accessibility)