On December 29, 2025, the first Central Asia Digital Archaeology Talent Training Program successfully concluded at Northwest University. The program was jointly organized by the Silk Road Archaeological Cooperation Research Center and the Xi’an Branch of the UNESCO International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), with support from the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Northwest University, and multiple research institutions. The training aimed to enhance the digital heritage preservation capabilities of young professionals from Central Asia and regions along the Silk Road, promoting more scientific, intelligent, and sustainable approaches to cultural heritage conservation and transmission.

SCANOLOGY, a leading provider of 3D digital solutions, participated extensively in the program through its sub-brand 3DeVOK, delivering mature and reliable digital solutions for the program’s hands-on training sessions. During the course, participants not only studied the theoretical foundations of digital cultural heritage preservation, but also carried out full-workflow practical exercises using the NimbleTrack-CR intelligent wireless 3D scanning system and the 3DeVOK MT professional 3D scanner. From data acquisition to 3D modeling and texture mapping, trainees gained first-hand experience with the practical value and real-world applications of modern digital archaeology technologies.

On December 16, the program officially commenced at Northwest University. Wang Runlu, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, and Sun Qingwei, Director of the Xi’an Branch of the UNESCO International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) and President of Northwest University, attended the ceremony and delivered opening remarks, highlighting the importance of international cooperation, capacity building, and the application of digital technologies in the protection and sustainable management of cultural heritage.

The event brought together representatives and experts from a wide range of academic and research institutions, including Peking University, Minzu University of China, the Dunhuang–Turpan Society of China, and the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as well as representatives from the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and other partner organizations. The ceremony was also attended by representatives from industry partners, including SCANOLOGY, faculty and administrative representatives from Northwest University, and a cohort of 12 trainees from five Central Asian countries.

Integrating Theory and Practice: 3D Digital Technologies as a Core Focus

The 10-day training program leveraged Northwest University’s academic strengths in archaeology, remote sensing, and GIS, adopting a blended teaching model that combined classroom instruction, on-site practical training, and immersive learning experiences. This approach was designed to systematically enhance participants’ digital competencies and hands-on skills in areas such as data acquisition, 3D documentation, and spatial analysis.

In recent years, high-precision, high-efficiency, and non-contact 3D data acquisition and 3D digital technologies have become essential tools for digital archiving, academic research, and the interpretation and dissemination of cultural heritage. Accordingly, 3D digital technologies were identified as a key focus of the program, with practical training centered on real-world application scenarios relevant to cultural heritage conservation and research.

Case Studies Demonstrating the Value of 3D Digital Technologies in Cultural Heritage

On December 19, during a specialized training session, Harris He, Head of Cultural Heritage and Arts Applications at SCANOLOGY, provided a systematic overview of high-precision 3D digital technologies and their applications in cultural heritage preservation. Drawing on several major projects in which the company has been involved in recent years, he shared in-depth case studies to illustrate the practical value and impact of 3D digitalization in the field of cultural heritage.

Practical Training for Mastery of the Full Digital Heritage Workflow

From the digital restoration of the Sanxingdui Bronze Tree, to 3D preservation projects at the Yungang Grottoes and Feilai Peak, to the life-size dinosaur reconstruction project in Lufeng, Yunnan, and the China–Egypt joint archaeological initiatives, SCANOLOGY has leveraged millimeter-level scanning precision and mature digital solutions to transform irreplaceable cultural heritage into long-term, reusable digital assets. These efforts help ensure that cultural heritage continues to thrive and inspire in the digital era.

The NimbleTrack-CR offers a measurement accuracy of up to 0.01 mm, meeting the demanding requirements of fine-detail digital documentation of cultural heritage. The system supports wireless operation and marker-free scanning, and utilizes Class II (eye-safe) laser standards. This ensures high-precision data acquisition while minimizing physical contact and potential risks to the artifacts, making it particularly well-suited for scanning and studying objects with complex structures and extremely high accuracy requirements.

The 3DeVOK MT is a handheld professional-grade 3D scanner with a maximum accuracy of 0.04 mm, capable of high-quality color scanning and simultaneous capture of surface texture information. When paired with the 3DeVOK Airgo wireless handle, it enables fully wireless scanning, allowing flexible and efficient field operations. The system can rapidly document medium to large-scale artifacts and archaeological objects without the need for markers, demonstrating its practicality and versatility in digital archaeology and cultural heritage applications.

Throughout the training program, participants remained highly engaged and demonstrated strong interest in the 3D digital technologies, praising their precision and operational efficiency. Some trainees noted that they had limited prior exposure to such mature and high-performance digital tools, and emphasized that the training would provide critical technical support for their future archaeological research and cultural heritage preservation work. Several participants also expressed interest in continuing to implement these technologies and equipment upon returning to their home countries.

Empowering Heritage Through Technology: Continuing to Support Silk Road Cultural Preservation

Looking ahead, SCANOLOGY, together with its sub-brand 3DeVOK, will continue to uphold its mission of cultural heritage preservation and the transmission of civilization. Leveraging core technologies such as high-precision 3D scanning, the company aims to further integrate digital solutions with cultural heritage conservation, providing enduring technological support for the documentation, protection, and transmission of the Silk Road’s historic and cultural legacy.