Pafos Live 11 February 2025
The ERATOSTHENES Center of Excellence announces the completion of a hybrid workshop dedicated to the presentation of innovative digital tools to combat illicit trafficking of cultural goods. The event was a great success and was organized on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 in the framework of the European project ENIGMA (https://eu-enigma.eu/), funded by Horizon Europe.
The event attracted professionals from the field of archaeology and heritage protection, enhancing cooperation and the exchange of valuable knowledge and experiences. The workshop took place at the building of the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus in Nicosia, while dozens of participants from various European countries and the international community attended online through a video conferencing platform.
For the successful organization of the workshop, the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence collaborated with leading organizations active in the field of archaeology in Cyprus. Co-organizers of the workshop were the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus, the Association of Cypriot Archaeologists and the American Institute of Cypriot Archaeological Research (CAARI). The event was also supported by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, ICOMOS Cyprus and the Cyprus Police.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the innovative digital tools developed within the ENIGMA project. These tools include: technologies for 3D reconstruction of cultural property from missing data, tools for detecting illegal activities and monitoring sites of archaeological interest through satellite images, origin research mechanisms to document the authenticity of objects, and scenario simulation systems to predict and respond to threats.
The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence, which is a leader in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods, is responsible for developing a system based on satellite images and advanced remote sensing algorithms capable of detecting suspicious activities, regardless of location, in near real time.
The participants, through fruitful discussions and exchange of views, contributed their valuable knowledge and experiences to the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods. The experts provided useful feedback and feedback, which will contribute to improving ENIGMA's tools and formulating effective strategies for the protection of cultural heritage.
The ENIGMA project continues to support the development of advanced solutions for the protection of cultural heritage, contributing significantly to the European and international effort to preserve our cultural identity. Through cooperation with institutions and experts, the ENIGMA project aspires to become a reference point in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods.
