Preserving the Memory of Cyprus Through Digitisation
In a unique initiative that combines archaeology, diplomacy, and advanced technology, the UNESCO Chair on Digital Cultural Heritage at the Digital Cultural Heritage Research Lab (DCHRL) of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) has returned to the Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm this June to lead the second digitisation mission of the largest collection of Cypriot antiquities outside Cyprus.
The mission, led by the MNEMOSYNE Research Centre and supported by an international team of specialists, is part of the agreement between CUT and the National Museums of World Culture in Sweden. It aims to digitally reunite and repatriate—virtually with open access—over 12,000 artefacts and archival materials unearthed during the historic Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927–1931).
The symbolic and scholarly significance of the digitisation project is enhanced by the upcoming centenary of the expedition, which will be celebrated in 2027. In this context, the initiative is more than just a technical endeavour; it represents a cultural and historical reconnection. The 3D documentation of the Cypriot collection will aid in preserving Cypriot sociocultural history and contribute to returning a part of Cyprus’s identity to its people while sharing it internationally.
The project is groundbreaking: never before has a host museum offered an entire foreign archaeological collection for digitisation, open-access sharing, and promoting virtual repatriation. The Cypriot collection at the Medelhavsmuseet includes over 18,000 objects spanning from prehistoric to Roman periods, along with thousands of archival photographs, excavation notes, and illustrations—essential records of Cyprus’s material history.
The Swedish Cypriot agreement, signed in 2023, is already regarded as a model of ethical stewardship and academic cooperation. With full support from both the Cypriot and Swedish embassies and a growing network of researchers and partners, the project is setting a new standard in digital heritage and international collaboration.
As the initiative progresses, the team invites further partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of this once-in-a-century opportunity. For Cyprus, for Sweden, and for global heritage, this mission is not just about remembering the past—it’s about safeguarding access to it for future generations.
