As part of the ongoing academic and cultural collaboration between Kuwait University and the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the College of Social Sciences hosted a Japanese delegation participating in the hands-on workshop titled "Mapping Archaeological Sites Using Drones." The workshop was held over three days in cooperation with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL).
Dr. Hasan Ashkanani, Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Kuwait University, welcomed the Japanese delegation and introduced them to the department’s key activities and research projects focused on documenting and digitally preserving Kuwait’s cultural heritage. The visit also included a tour of the College's Anthropology and  Archaeology Museum and Laboratory.
A number of students from the College of Social Sciences, along with staff members from various departments within the NCCAL, actively participated in the workshop. The practical component was conducted on Failaka Island, and included field visits to notable archaeological sites such as Tell Sa’ad, which dates back over 4,000 years to the Dilmun Civilization and is also home to Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s rest house; and Tell Said (the Hellenistic Fort), which dates back approximately 2,300 years. Participants also visited the Qasr Al-Salam Museum, as well as several other key locations on the island, in addition to the College’s own museum and lab facilities.
Dr. Ashkanani explained that the workshop aimed to enhance understanding of sustainable development in the preservation of Kuwait’s cultural heritage—particularly on Failaka Island, which is rich in archaeological and historical sites. He further noted that the field data collected would be processed using specialized software systems to develop 3D models of the sites, thereby contributing to their digital documentation and long-term preservation for future generations.
In conclusion, Dr. Ashkanani emphasized the significance of continuing such forms of scholarly collaboration between Kuwaiti cultural institutions and international research bodies, stating:
“Human heritage is a shared responsibility that transcends borders. Its preservation is a scientific, cultural, and national duty at once.”