CyArk was founded in 2003 by Ben and Barbara Kacyra after they were shocked and moved by the destruction of 5th century Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan. We continue to lose our heritage at an astounding rate with mounting pressures from climate change, urban development, natural disasters and armed conflict and CyArk seeks to create a record of these places before further loss.

Since its founding, CyArk has documented over 200 sites on all seven continents. The sites span a huge gamut of human history from modern marvels of engineering such as the Sydney Opera House to archaeological sites such as Skara Brae, a 3000 BC neolithic settlement in Scotland. These structures tell the story of who we are and the history of the people who came before us.

CyArk works across three principal areas: conservation, recovery and discovery. We assist those who work to manage and preserve these sites by providing engineering drawings and detailed maps to assist in critical conservation work. We also capture a comprehensive record of the site that can be used in recovery efforts following damage or catastrophic loss. And finally, we strive to share our data in powerful ways, including truly immersive experiences that convey the power of these places.

We use state of the art reality capture technology to create a holistic and accurate 3D surface model of these sites. We use LiDAR or laser scanning as well as high resolution imagery from the ground and from drones that is processed and combined into one model. This model forms the basis for many of our activities at CyArk, from the creation of accurate engineering drawings to beautiful and immersive virtual reality environments.