British Museum announces $12 million plan to digitize entire collection following recent thefts

The British Museum has unveiled a major plan to digitize its extensive permanent collection of over eight million items, in response to a recent theft of thousands of pieces, including over 1,500 historical artifacts.

The digitization project, estimated to cost $12.1 million, aims to enhance security measures and increase public access to the museum's vast holdings. Over the course of more than five years, the project will document and upload over 2.4 million records.

Despite the funding challenges, the museum is committed to completing the digitization project and plans to secure the necessary funds from private investors, avoiding reliance on taxpayer or government support. Notably, the museum had already initiated a digitization effort in 2020, during which half of its collection was digitized.

These developments underscore the significance of preserving cultural heritage while making it more widely accessible, a trend that has gained momentum globally, partly accelerated by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.