Cultural Relic Preservation: Digital technologies bring more possibilities to relics in China

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You no longer need to travel thousands of miles to fully appreciate your favorite cultural relics. Instead, with the help of 3D printing technology, 1:1 replicas are popping up everywhere. And this is also helping to IMMORTALIZE cultural relics, so say the experts. CGTN reporter Hu Chao takes a look.

A ten-meter high Buddha sculpture. What you see is a one-to-one replica of the third cave of the Yungang Grottoes from northern China's Shanxi Province. And it was all printed using 3D technology and exhibited in the city of Qingdao in 2017. And this is what it's like in the real cave.

Located in the city of Datong, the Yungang Grottoes feature nearly 300 caves of different sizes. 1,500 years of harsh weather and elements have done a number on these sculptures. But in recent years, digital technology has them better protected.

Collecting data from the caves is the most basic and important job. The Yungang Grottoes Research Institute has been doing that since 2005.

WANG JIAXIN, RESEARCHER SHANXI YUNGANG GROTTOES RESEARCH INST. "This is a 3D laser scanner. It collects data from every spot of the cave. In the computer system, the spots form lines and lines form planes and a 3D model is eventually created."

HU CHAO DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE "Collecting data of these Buddha sculptures is no quick job. It often takes three months on average to collect data from one major cave like this."

Experts say data processing takes even more time, sometimes a whole year for a major cave. By now they've finished data collecting in just one third of the caves.

Ning Bo has been working in the digital office of the research institute for over a decade. He explains the functions of the data.

NING BO, DIRECTOR DIGITAL OFFICE, SHANXI YUNGANG GROTTOES RESEARCH INST. "First, we make digital files of the relics. Data can precisely show weathering levels, thus providing references for better measures to prevent it. Data also helps to make virtual restoration to find out the best way to restore an item. And digital archaeological mapping now is also available."

A VR experience is also created through data, which enables people to see multiple angles of the Buddha figures.

HU CHAO DATONG, SHANXI PROVINCE "This VR experience is amazing! I rose to the top and was looking at the face of this giant Buddha so closely. And believe me, you shouldn't try this if you have acrophobia."

3D printing technology also makes small replicas. Lovely as they look, they are now only for research, not for sale. As digital technology thrives, experts also emphasize the role of traditional restoration methods.

ZHANG ZHUO HEAD OF SHANXI YUNGANG GROTTOES RESEARCH INST. "No matter in the past, present or future, manual techniques of relic restoration are always important and should be passed down by generations. On this basis, we should learn and master new technology to perfect our work."

Hu Chao, CGTN, Datong, Shanxi Province.