Palmyra's Triumphal Arch rises from debris

20 April 2016 - 02:29 By ©The Daily Telegraph

A 2000-year-old Syrian monument destroyed by Islamic State militants has been recreated in London's Trafalgar Square.The 15-foot (4.5m) scale model of Palmyra's destroyed Triumphal Arch was made from marble using 3D technology from photographs of the original.It was created by experts from the Institute of Digital Archaeology and then transported to Britain, before being rebuilt in the capital in what has been described as an "act of solidarity".The two-thirds scale replica - which was officially unveiled by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, yesterday afternoon - will be on display in the capital for three days.The replica will then move to other cities, including New York and Dubai, before it is expected to be taken to Palmyra next year where it is hoped a permanent home near the original arch can be found.The original monument was blown up by Islamic State in October."It is a message of raising awareness in the world," Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's director of antiquities, who was in London to watch the replica being installed, told the BBC."We have common heritage. Our heritage is universal - it is not just for Syrian people."..

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