How are volunteers digitising fragile documents without advanced technology?

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Volunteers Employ Ingenious Methods to Digitize Fragile Documents Amidst Restrictions

Volunteers in Gaza are utilizing a makeshift scanning station, constructed by mounting a camera above a box lined with black craft paper, to digitize old photographs and paper documents. This improvised setup enables the preservation of recent cultural artifacts, including important historical papers, in the absence of professional conservation equipment. The digitized materials are then uploaded to a computer, ensuring their safekeeping for future generations.
Improvised Scanning Technology

Due to stringent controls on goods entering the Gaza Strip, volunteers have developed an ingenious, low-tech solution for document digitization. They have created a scanning station by positioning a camera directly above a box that has been meticulously lined with black craft paper. This setup allows for the capture of clear images of photographs and paper documents, effectively creating digital copies without the need for specialized or commercially available scanning hardware.
Preservation of Historical Records

This method is crucial for preserving not only ancient artifacts but also more recent historical records, such as maps and documents from the British Mandate and Egyptian eras. Volunteers are collecting these materials through interviews with elderly residents and by documenting their oral histories. The digitized copies serve as a vital reference for future generations, safeguarding the chronicles of Gaza's past that might otherwise be lost to conflict or decay.
Challenges and Limitations

The preservation efforts are significantly hampered by the ongoing conflict and the tight controls on imported goods. Many significant cultural sites and artifacts have been damaged or destroyed, with over 160 historic and cultural sites reportedly affected. Furthermore, a considerable number of artifacts remain inaccessible, located beyond the so-called "Yellow Line," which delineates areas under Hamas control from those held by Israeli forces, making retrieval extremely difficult.

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How are volunteers digitising fragile documents without advanced technology?

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