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Palmyra Arch Suffering Daesh Demolition to Be 3D-Printed in UK, US

© Flickr / Arian ZwegersPalmyra, Temple of Bel
Palmyra, Temple of Bel - Sputnik International
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An ancient arch of the Temple of Bel that survived Daesh (ISIL) demolition in the Syrian city of Palmyra will be rebuilt in the UK with the use of the world’s largest 3D printer.

The life-sized monument of the Palmyra arch will be placed in Trafalgar Square as a symbol of defiance against terrorism, the Daily Mail reported.

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The entrance is the only remaining part of a 2,000-year-old temple that was destroyed by the jihadi group last August following the seizure of the ancient city of Palmyra. Photos taken by satellite show that the arch suffered significant damage, but remained upright, according to media.

Specialists at the Institute of Digital Archaeology (IDA), prepared a 3D model of the entrance arch composed of dozens of two dimensional pictures. The replica won’t be a precise copy, the new gateway will be crafted with the use of stone powder and a lightweight composite.

Roger Michel, the IDA’s executive director said the move is a “political statement” aimed at attracting public attention to ongoing atrocities committed by religious extremists in Iraq and Syria.

"We are saying to them ‘if you destroy something we can rebuild it again.’ The symbolic value of these sites is enormous. We are restoring dignity to people.”

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Currently the copy of the entrance arch is being printed in China and is expected to be moved to Italy for the finishing touches before being installed in London.

An identical monument may also be constructed in Times Square, New York, according to sources.

Over centuries the Temple of Bel has served as a pagan temple, a Christian church and a mosque. Before the building was blown up, it was considered to be one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the world.

UNESCO named the entire city of Palmyra a world heritage site in 1980.

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