ISLAMABAD: The National History and Literary Heritage Division (NHLH) on Sunday finalised the launch of the project titled, `Establishment of digitalisation centre for documentation of the artefacts and archival material at Department of Archeology and Museum’ by mid-January.
The Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) approved budget worth 2929 million in the current fiscal year for the project.
According to details, the aim of the project is the provision of an additional platform for the access and exhibition of documents and artefacts and to prevent illicit trafficking of archaeological objects and the provision of an additional platform for the access and exhibition of documents and artefacts.
Talking to APP, National History and Literary Heritage Division’s (NHLH) Joint Secretary Mashhood Mirza emphasised the importance of the preservation and documentation of archaeological material and said that the fragility of archaeological material and lack of documentation of the archeological artifacts in the national repository has contributed in limiting the academic study and verification of the record, the digital archiving of the whole record of the archaeological artifacts was direly needed for posterity and providing data to the scholars for interpretive information, he added.
He said, “The preservation and documentation have always been a matter of concern for the academic research of the moveable and immoveable cultural wealth of the country”.
He further said that it could also prove as a deterrent for pilfered objects from the archaeological sites and monuments and sell it on the black market as the data would be shared internationally with the Interpol and the other databases, “It will enable us to comply with the UNESCO convention of 1970 – Prohibiting and Preventing the illicit Import/Export and Transfer of ownership of cultural property”, he added.
Mirza said that the NHLH has revitalised the Department of Archeology and Museums (DOAM) which had been lying dormant after devolution under the 18th amendment.
Advisor to Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui has taken a keen interest in preservation and safeguard of the cultural heritage, Mirza concluded.
