Iraq's cultural treasures, recently ravaged by looting and war, could be virtually restored through an ambitious project outlined on Monday that would create an online panorama of the cradle of human civilisation.

The University of California at Berkeley is seeking $5 million over five years for a computer-based project to chronicle the Mid-East country's museums and archaeological digs, a university official said.

The resulting Web site would offer photographs, text and real-time details such as the humidity or earthquake activity at research sites. Sensors on key relics would even alert the network if thieves try to steal them.
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"I am using Iraq as an opportunity for promoting the idea of a virtual heritage, cultural heritage encyclopaedia," said Bajcsy, who is from Slovakia.

The fragile state of Iraqi's rich cultural heritage was highlighted when looters stole items from the National Museum in Baghdad after US-led military forces toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The looting was a public relations disaster for Washington. Many criticised the US military for failing to prevent the ravaging of cultural treasures while at the same time providing stepped up patrols at the Oil Ministry.

Looting has continued in recent weeks at archaeological sites, experts say.
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Gibson said Iraqi museum officials have identified 1,000 objects that are lost out of a total collection of hundreds of thousands of items, and said in the end the number of identified looted items would likely rise to 3,000 to 4,000.

"Think about losing 3,000 to 4,000 objects in any major museum," he said in an interview. "It is a major loss regardless."

He said the museum has recovered 1,200 objects in recent weeks although some are reproductions and other works with lesser value.

» California University to catalogue Iraq treasures online : HindustanTimes.com