Iraq News

Recreated treasures of Iraq and Syria on show at Coliseum

Exact replicas of three architectural treasures damaged or destroyed by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) in Syria and Iraq went on show Thursday (October 6th) at the Coliseum in Rome, AFP reported.

The full-scale reproductions of the winged bull from Nimrud in Iraq, part of the state archives hall from the ancient Syrian kingdom of Ebla, and half the roof of the Temple of Bel in Palmyra will be on display until December 11th.

"For several years we have been discussing the importance of Italy, and the world, taking action to protect the cultural heritage of war zones, and this exhibition bears extraordinary witness to this endeavour," Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said at the opening.

Syrian archaeological authorities also arranged for two Palmyra statues damaged by ISIL to be brought to Rome.

After the exhibition, organised by Incontro di Civilta, the two sculptures will be restored in Italy then sent back to Syria.

The three archaeological treasures were recreated with the help of 3D printers.

It took almost three months to recreate the segment of the Bel temple, according to architect Matteo Fabbri of TryeCo, the Italian company that carried out the work.

"Usually with a 3D scanner we work much more quickly, but in this case, we had to work from old photographs and verbal descriptions," he said.

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