A faithful replica of Syria's Triumphal Arch of Palmyra -- infamously destroyed by Islamic State militants -- has been unveiled in London. It was re-created with the latest 3D printing and carving technology.
A faithful replica of Syria's Triumphal Arch of Palmyra -- infamously destroyed by Islamic State militants -- has been unveiled in London. It was re-created with the latest 3D printing and carving technology.
It's a meticulous reproduction of the ancient artwork, using modern 3D printing technology. Measuring five-and-a-half metres in height, it's two-thirds the size of the original.
ISIL overran the ancient city of Palmyra in May 2015, and blew up the arch which is almost 2,000 years old. The Syrian government forces retook the city last month.
London Mayor Boris Johnson unveiled the recreation in Trafalgar Square, before delivering a message of defiance to those who blew it up.
"This thing stood for 2,000 years. Everybody came and invaded or conquered that part of the world, the Greeks, Alexander the Great, the Romans, you name it, the Christians, the Muslims. No one until Daesh, the so-called Islamic State thought it was worth demolishing and how pitiful, how pathetic, how inadequate they must be," Johnson said.
Some visitors to the unveiling were overcome by the achievement.
Some visitors to the unveiling were overcome by the achievement.
"It's the joining of technologies to be able to have taken something in a 3D sense digitally but to then reproduce something in what is traditionally such a hand worked medium, such as stone, it blows your mind really. It's such a great melding of technology and old school craft," said Adrian Holbeach, designer and stone carver.
But others aren't convinced it's a true replica.
"It's nothing like the real thing. It's nice that it's here and people are thinking about Palmyra, I was there before all the destruction occurred and it really is heart-rending to see what is happening. It's sheer ignorance basically," said Margot Wright, archaeologist.
The arch will stand in London for three days before going to Dubai, New York and ultimately back to Palmyra itself.
