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Meet the scientists immortalizing African heritage in virtual reality

By Chris Giles, CNN

Updated 0902 GMT (1702 HKT) October 17, 2018

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The Zamani Project digitally records<strong> </strong>cultural and historic sites across Africa to preserve them for future generations. The models can be experienced in virtual reality, where users can<strong> </strong>"walk through" the sites. This model is the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.
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The Cape Coast, Ghana – The Zamani Project digitally records cultural and historic sites across Africa to preserve them for future generations. The models can be experienced in virtual reality, where users can "walk through" the sites. This model is the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.
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The Cape Coast Castle was visited by American president Barack Obama in 2009. It was used by<strong> </strong>the British to hold people in slavery before they were forced onto ships across the Atlantic in the 17th and 18th centuries.<strong> </strong>
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The Cape Coast, Ghana – The Cape Coast Castle was visited by American president Barack Obama in 2009. It was used by the British to hold people in slavery before they were forced onto ships across the Atlantic in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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The Zamani Project traveled to the town of Djenné in Mali to document the distinctive architecture.
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Djenné, Mali – The Zamani Project traveled to the town of Djenné in Mali to document the distinctive architecture.
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The Great Mosque of Djenné<strong> </strong>dates from the 13th century, and is the first mosque built at the complex in Mali's Niger Delta region. The adobe-style building, made from earthen bricks and mud plaster, fell into disrepair, and was reconstructed in 1907.<strong> </strong>The Great Mosque was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 and is the largest earthen mud building in the world.
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Djenné, Mali – The Great Mosque of Djenné dates from the 13th century, and is the first mosque built at the complex in Mali's Niger Delta region. The adobe-style building, made from earthen bricks and mud plaster, fell into disrepair, and was reconstructed in 1907. The Great Mosque was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 and is the largest earthen mud building in the world.
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In the Nile Valley, these pyramids and structures in Sudan date back to the Kingdom of Kush, from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D.
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Meroe, Sudan – In the Nile Valley, these pyramids and structures in Sudan date back to the Kingdom of Kush, from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D.
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A World Heritage Site, the pyramids are generally smaller than those found in Egypt. Receiving few tourists each year, the architecture demonstrates proof of contact between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean and Middle East, say UNESCO.
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Meroe, Sudan – A World Heritage Site, the pyramids are generally smaller than those found in Egypt. Receiving few tourists each year, the architecture demonstrates proof of contact between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean and Middle East, say UNESCO.
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A 3-D model scan of an 11th century Ethiopian Orthodox church, constructed of wood and stone.
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Yemrehana Krestos Church, Ethiopia – A 3-D model scan of an 11th century Ethiopian Orthodox church, constructed of wood and stone.
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A pilgrim in robes walks past Yemrehana Krestos Church, which is in a cave and said to be<strong> </strong>"floating"<strong> </strong>on a floor of reeds.