In September 2017, UNESCO conducted an expert visit to the Minaret of Jam, in Ghor Province in Afghanistan, escorted by Afghan forces. They flew by helicopter organised by the Afghan Presidency and the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, to a remote valley in the Shakrak district. They scanned one of Afghanistan's most prominent monuments, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Properties in Danger since 2002, which is the Minaret of Jam.
The Minaret stands at the confluence of two rivers. Water pressure and infiltration could lead to further damages to its structure. Covered by an intricate layer of carved and glazed bricks forming complex geometric motifs and calligraphic decorations, the Minaret is an artistic milestone of the Ghurid civilisation (c. 1148-1222). To capture these details, UNESCO's experts used a high-resolution camera with a 300-mm sensor from the ground, a "fisheye" lens for 360 degrees images, and a drone. The experts scanned the Minaret's exterior twice, once in the sun and once in the shade, to maximise the quality of the final image.
Multiple cameras on a gimbal took overlapping photos of the staircases to capture the architectural complexity of the Minaret. A drone and pole-mounted cameras were used to document the upper portions of the structure. The experts used a multicopter drone to scan each side of the minaret twice. The absence of a roof exposes the interior of the Minaret to the adverse impacts of rain, snow and birds nesting inside.
The valley has a rich history, dating back to the Greco-Bactrian period (2nd century BC). The experts and locals explored the surrounding area and found fragments of ancient ceramics, as well as traces of looting.
4,315 photos of the valley were taken from a drone and a helicopter. This remarkable monument can be analysed in depth through these images and 3D model.
