Digital Preservation of at-risk records at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Cambodia

Challenge

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Cambodia faced the critical challenge of preserving its vast and fragile historical archives. These documents, including photographs, handwritten confessions, and biographical records, provided invaluable insights into the Cambodian genocide. However, the physical nature of the documents and the passage of time posed significant risks to their preservation.

DDD’s Solution

To address this challenge the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum archives, a collaborative effort was undertaken by UNESCO, Digital Divide Data (DDD), and The Brechin Group Inc. The project involved digitizing the collection, improving preservation conditions, adding descriptive metadata, training museum staff, and creating a digital platform to disseminate educational resources. This comprehensive approach has ensured the long-term preservation of the archives and increased their accessibility to a wider audience.

Streamlining the digitization process and eliminating the need for physical data transfer

Impact

The digital database allows researchers, scholars, and the public to explore the archives online, learning more about the Cambodian genocide and its lasting impact.