A training program for archaeologists, restorers and cultural heritage experts has been launched in Ukraine

According to Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Anastasia Bondar, “this training is not only a technical platform for gaining new knowledge, but also part of a global effort to preserve our national identity.”

“Satellite technologies and methods of geospatial analysis provide opportunities for monitoring and verifying the state of preservation or damage to our cultural sites. It’s not just about technology, it’s about how we can use technology to accumulate relevant data and preserve history,” explains Anastasia Bondar.

She noted that archaeology is currently the least studied of all cultural heritage due to the greater complexity of identifying and studying archaeological sites, especially in areas where active hostilities are taking place or threatened.

“Much more attention needs to be paid to this field, as it can provide unique knowledge about the past. In particular, it is important to analyze in dynamics, comparing data from different periods to better understand the impact of modern challenges of war and man-made disasters on archaeological heritage,” emphasizes Anastasia Bondar.

The training program consists of an introductory online event and two six-module trainings. The entire course will last four days.

Specialists will be taught how to use satellite imagery, analyze geospatial data to document damage to cultural heritage in Ukraine, assess damage to cultural and natural heritage, mapping, etc.

The ICCC recalled that in May 2022, UNESCO and UNITAR signed a cooperation agreement that provides for monitoring the state of cultural heritage in Ukraine using satellite imagery in the context of hostilities. The project, partially funded by the Government of Japan, is aimed at protecting cultural property and includes a series of capacity-building activities for Ukrainian specialists.