Digital Divide Data (DDD) teaming with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Intel to digitize one of the largest collections of Archeology and Paleontology in the world at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK).
The first phase of the proposed project will involve digitization of culturally and historically significant artifacts and specimens, the creation of a digital archives platform, and an interactive website (“virtual museum”) to be hosted on the AWS Cloud.
As the first phase of the project, DDD, AWS, and Intel will digitize 10,000 of the most valuable artifacts housed in their Archeology and Paleontology collections at the Nairobi National Museum. These will form the basis for open access digital archives database and a virtual museum intended to lend greater visibility to these priceless artifacts for the purposes of research and education.
The Archaeology Collection includes early human’s technology and technological evolution dating back >2.5 million years. The Paleontology Collection houses millions of fossils dating back to the Oligocene era (33 – 23 million years). This collection includes the entire natural fossil heritage of Kenya and houses some of the best preserved hominid specimens.
Technology is critical to develop the next generation of approaches to collecting, managing, preserving, and engaging with cultural assets. AWS and Intel are committed to collaborate with custodians and caretakers working within our beloved cultural institutions to create new, dynamic museum experiences that drive individuals around the world to engage with history and the arts.
DDD is a recognized leader in providing content, digitization, and data science solutions to cultural heritage organizations. The project will leverage DDD’s expertise in large scale digitization and will be managed by DDD’s Kenya Operations with its recently established Cloud Services Center of Excellence.
Commenting on the project, Mr. Frank Heitmann, President, DDD said “this landmark collaboration is significant as it provides NMK with the tools to showcase its one-of-a-kind collections to the world and engage various stakeholders using the reach and flexibility of the AWS Cloud. It also provides DDD with the opportunity to provide competency based training to Kenyan youth in areas of digitization, cloud services, mobile technologies, and database administration. These skills are valuable next generation digital skills and is one of the core components of DDD’s Digital Skills 2.0 initiative. I want to personally thank AWS and Intel for sponsoring this initiative”.
