When Museums Go Virtual: Can 3D Technology Reconnect Africa With Its Cultural Heritage?
by KIKE CALVO
The text discusses the intersection of technology and cultural heritage, particularly regarding museum objects from Africa. It highlights the limitations of traditional museum practices and labels, which often reflect colonial biases, and emphasizes the potential of digital technologies like 3D scanning and virtual reality to reconnect communities with their cultural artifacts. Anthropologist Craig Stevens’ research explores how these technologies can enable source communities to recount the true histories and meanings of objects, promoting interpretive agency. The article advocates for a shift toward collaborative narratives that include diverse voices, rather than imposing a singular institutional perspective.
