For the second year in a row, CyArk has been selected as a finalist in the EMC Heritage Trust program. Last year thanks to the support of CyArk’s friends we were able to raise funds for the digital preservation of Mission Dolores in San Francisco. This year we are proposing a truly incredible project in Israel - The Sea of Galilee Boat! The boat is 2,000 years old and very vulnerable.

Please help CyArk win up to $15,000 by voting for this project in the online contest, run by EMC and sharing CyArk's post with your own friends on facebook!

Here's how to vote:
1) Visit EMC Heritage Trust Project page on facebook
2) Select "See the 2013 Spring Finalists"
3) Scroll to the bottom of the page and cast your vote for us! "Digital Preservation of the 2,000 year old Sea of Galilee Boat"

Here's how to spread the word:
1) Visit CyArk's post and select SHARE at the bottom of the post to share the contest with your friends!

As the only complete example of this type of ancient fishing boat ever discovered, the 2,000 year old Sea of Galilee Boat is an invaluable cultural asset. The 2,000 year old boat from the 1st century AD was discovered in 1986 on the shore of Israel’s Sea of Galilee during a drought. After 12 days of excavation, the boat was placed in a chemical bath for 7 years to strengthen its structure (the effects last up to 100 years) and was installed in the Yigal Allon Museum.

In April, CyArk was approached by researchers the University of San Diego - one of whom had been studying the boat for 16 years – who were interested in digitally preserving the boat. It was noted that although the boat was preserved to the best of the ability by conservationists at the time, some deterioration has already occurred, and it is anticipated that this will continue over time. Additionally, after one year’s time the researchers had been able to accurately CAD model only a few parts of the boat. A partnership between the University of San Diego and CyArk would allow for the 3D digital documentation of the boat for ongoing conservation, research and monitoring. Recognizing that the boat's structural integrity is at risk of future degradation, CyArk proposes to collaborate with the Israel Antiquities Authority and researchers from the University of San Diego to digitally preserve the Sea of Galilee Boat.

With your help to win the EMC contest, CyArk will use 3D laser scanning and high resolution photography to create a highly accurate 3D record of the Sea of Galilee Boat. CyArk will generate 2D drawings, a model for 3D printing, and perspectives, for conservation and restoration efforts. CyArk will also create interpretive deliverables including a virtual tour, and collections of historic anecdotes to share the boat’s significance.

Once completed, the project will be made available for free to the public on the CyArk website, which now has 1.6 million annual visitors from 224 countries and territories. The online portal will establish new forms of collaboration between international scholars and the opportunity to continue research and analysis remotely.

Please cast your vote and spread the word!