In war-torn Syria, important but fragile archaeological sites are under constant threat. Last month, 3D reconstructions of some of the country’s most significant and spectacular sites went online in an effort to digitize Syrian heritage and save it — in some form — from destruction.

Extremists blew up two first-century temples at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Palmyra last year, sparking outrage and leading to the 3D movement currently being undertaken by French digital surveyors partnering with Syrian archaeologists. The conflict, which is stretching five years, resulted in the destruction of hundreds of important heritage sites.

The 3D imaging system is able to capture buildings and sites in incredible detail, preserving them digitally. Among those in the vault now is the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, which dates to the eight century and is widely considered the fourth holiest place in Islam. The Roman theater in Jableh and the Phoenician site in ancient Ugarit have been preserved.

The group is also digitizing some of Syria’s major museum collections; extremists have targeted ancient shrines and statues as representative of idolatry.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, head, Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, said the effort will help “avoid an irreplaceable loss to humanity” given “the dramatic situation in our country. This solution gives our archaeological sites a real hope of renaissance and allows the memory of them to be preserved, no matter what happens.”