This archive report was first published on 4 January 2020.
January 4, 2020, marked a significant milestone in the digitization of Kenya's rich cultural heritage, with over 10 million archaeological and paleontological collections now available online.
Senior research scientist Fredrick Kyalo Manthi, head of the palaeontology section at the National Museums of Kenya, hailed the interactive website as a game-changer for the country's heritage, enabling people worldwide, especially the youth, to learn about and be inspired by Kenya's rich collection.
The project, which began in June 2017, involved digitizing culturally and scientifically significant artefacts and fossil specimens, creating a digital archives platform, and building a virtual museum. The platform is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud.
Twenty research assistants and 30 students from various colleges were trained on using the technology, making it possible for anyone to access the collections without physically visiting the museum.
The digital format is expected to attract more researchers, tourists, and interest in Kenya's artefacts, which include 2.5 million years of humankind's palaeontology cultural evolution and millions of fossils dating back to the Oligocene era.
The collection includes six million years of humankind's history, with some of the best-preserved hominid specimens. A key attraction is the 1.6-million-year-old fossil, named Nariokotome Boy, commonly known as Turkana Boy, discovered in 1984 by Kamoya Kimeu.
The virtual exhibition can be accessed through nmkearthsciences.org.
