## 2 Research Methods and Study Area
### New Methods of Preserving Cultural Heritage  
One of the modern and innovative ways of preserving cultural heritage is its digital protection which consists of the processes aimed at ensuring the continued accessibility of digital materials [13; 14]. Digitalization includes and develops all aspects of economic, scientific, and technological development. E-Europe creates conditions for cooperation and inclusion of all important mountments, sites, and institutions in the digitalization process, which will help record history, establish a digital library for researchers and public education, as well as enrich cultural vibancy [15].  
Unfortunately, the process of digitization of localities and monuments in the territory of Serbia is very slow. At the same time, these treasures are increasingly exposed to natural and human risks from climate change, fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. Until 2011, the area of the digitization of cultural heritage was not regulated by any legislative act in Serbia, nor did it have its foundation in strategic documents. However, the process of digitization, the use of information and communication technologies in culture, as well as multimedia and digital arts began to assume a strategic position and was given a legal framework within the \"Law on Culture\" adopted in 2009 [16].  
The technologies involved in the digitalization projects are robotics, 3D scanning, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence [17]. AI (artificial intelligence) and other advanced 3D and other technologies can help with the restoration and digitalization of tangible cultural heritage [18]. The European Commission has invested a large number of projects related to digital cultural heritage focusing on the digitalization processes [19]. E-funded projects for digitalization are:  
* The RePAIR (Reconstructing the Past: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics meet Cultural Heritage) project: All artifact fragments are scanned using high-tech computers, which use machine learning algorithms to predict their original configuration.
* Scan4 Reco (Multimodal scanning of cultural heritage assets for their multilayered digitization and preventive conservation via spatiotemporal 4D reconstruction and 3 Dprinting) uses in-depth scanning cameras to create a high-resolution 3D replica of an artifact to transfer it into digital files.
* Laser scanning and photogrammetry are additional technologies that play a key role in the increased progress of digitizing cultural heritage [18].  
Joint initiatives were launched, such as for example \"MICHAEL\", in order to create a portal that would enable simple and quick access to digital holdings of cultural institutions in European countries and \"EUROPEANA\", a common source of cultural heritage of Europe [20]. It is expected that these systems of digitalization of tangible and intangible interface of the multicultural and diverse environment of Novi Pazar in Southern Serbia will become a part of the national information system for management and preservation of this historical treasure [21; 22].  
The digitization procedure provides a \"picture\" of the cultural objects. The possibility for rapid prototyping of such objects inspired and intrigued many researchers [23; 24]. Technology helps to identify culture and create endlessly connected experiences for visitors, whether on site or online [25].