It is estimated by UNESCO that half of 6,000 plus languages and cultures today will disappear by the end of this century if nothing is done to preserve them.
To this end, Google has announced the official launch of the first Nigerian Archive on Google Cultural Institute. The archive which is owned by the Pan-Atlantic University contains some really interesting photographs of Nigeria from the early 20th century. The archive can be found and viewed here
The Google Cultural Institute was established in 2010 to help preserve and promote culture online; and it is a partnership between Google and hundreds of museums, cultural institutions, and archives to host the world’s cultural treasures online.
With a dedicated team of Googlers, the company keeps innovating to build tools that will allow the cultural sector to display more of its diverse heritage like artworks, landmarks and world heritage site and even digital exhibitions that tell stories behind the archives of cultural institutions across the globe, thus making it accessible to everyone online and would serve as a useful way to inspire future generations and also to engage students, scholars and teachers through innovative and interactive learning.
What to expect in the archives
The Pan-Atlantic University archive is a collection of rare historical documents and photographs that cover the period from 1851-1914 that tells the story of Nigeria’s formation as a colony. The second exhibition traces the transformation and evolution of Lagos from a cosmopolitan colonial trading center to West Africa’s largest metropolis.
What are you waiting for, explore!
[Photo Credit: MACPEPPLE-JAJA FOUNDATION via Compfight cc]
