Kuwait city: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) organized a workshop in collaboration with the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, focusing on the use of drones for mapping archaeological sites.
According to Kuwait News Agency, NCCAL Assistant Secretary-General for Antiquities and Museums, Mohammad bin Redha, stated that the three-day workshop is part of the council's initiative to enhance modern archaeological research tools and methods. He emphasized that the workshop's aim is to exchange experiences and discuss best practices for drone usage in archaeology, while also addressing associated technical and ethical challenges. This aligns with the council's objectives of safeguarding and preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Bin Redha highlighted the importance of incorporating Japanese expertise, which enhances archaeological efforts in Kuwait.
Professor Dr. Hassan Ashkanani from Kuwait University commented that the event also seeks to promote sustainable development alongside cultural heritage preservation, particularly on Failaka Island, known for its archaeological significance. Ashkanani noted that the collaboration with the Tokyo National Institute is intended to harness drone technology for accurate and efficient data collection on archaeological sites. This includes creating 3D models of inaccessible areas and exploring sites without causing damage. Drones are also utilized for aerial photography, site monitoring, mapping, and detecting buried structures using advanced sensors.
The workshop was attended by NCCAL employees and students from the Museum and Laboratory of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University's College of Social Sciences. The deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait acknowledged the importance of this cooperation in preserving cultural heritage and expressed confidence that Japanese technology, particularly drones, will aid in exploring and preserving Kuwait's archaeological heritage, with a focus on sites like Failaka Island.