The answer is multiple storage mediums.

When the Library of Alexandria was lost, all the data that it held was also lost except where that data was duplicated elsewhere.

Compile all avalable desired data then duplicate it multiple locations and if possible multiple storage mediums. Update those mediums periodically.

The hoarding of data will lead to inevitable data loss.

I understand what they are. Having a physical form doesn't mean they are not data or represent data. Images of these objects is just one means of storing that (partial) data. There is also 3-D laser scans, spectral analysis and other means to record data about these object.

More importantly however I was concerned about the data they were meant to represent given Hannah's concern about impaired ability to identify and combat supernatural threats. What data of that nature exists should be compiled and duplicated along with what is known about these sites. Although many of these sites are effectively lost now.

Certainly we could benefit from having our own allies in government(s) but, as usual, that comes with its own set of headaches that will sometimes make it seem as if it's not worth it.

It also makes one wonder what, precisely, is PPE. Other kinds of energy can be expressed in mathematical equations and so discovered from the data. No psychometry is required. PPE, however, defies such a thing. The idea of "work" in the physics sense and the idea of "concentration" in the magical/psychic sense are not analogous.

Hannah wrote:Athena,

There are definitely ways to do what you are proposing, the problem is there are only a small number of qualified experts with the necessary equipment to perform the in depth cataloging you are suggesting. This creates a bottleneck in the processing of these items.

What's more, while a lot of useful data could be collected by such means, some of the most useful data can only be divined by placing these items in the hands of individuals who are attuned to the requisite energies. This is an even smaller and more elite group of individuals.

As a result of these two bottlenecks, thousands upon thousands of artifacts remain undiscovered or in storage awaiting detailed analysis. My worry is that with the events we are seeing, time may be running out on our ability to find the important artifacts and protect them.

Hannah Knight

As I stated, many of these sites can be considered effectively lost now. Any loss of data is regrettable but occasionally unavoidable as well. What can be done most easily is preserving what is already held against future loss. The other thing that can be done is the generation of new data even if it means rediscovery of things once known.

I wonder if the Akashic Record ever suffers data loss.

More to the point: what about non-physical storage? Gives me an idea to bring up to our mechanic. A device imbued with total recall should be able to perfectly store data. Perhaps some invocation or ritual could imbue an object with perfect memory on a larger scale.

Is this what you mean by Akashic Records?

We don't know what has been destroyed besides the physical statues themselves. I don't know how good Iraqi record keeping is...

I see that in my absence the government has again authorized the destruction of more sacred sites of my people.

While I am sure there are good, kind people in the government who wish to do the right thing, it is can be very hard to find them when you need them.