Muslim funerary stele at the Guimet Museum, Paris

myminifactory

A monument stands as a stone or wooden slab, generally towering above its width, erected with purpose, often for the memory of the dead or to commemorate events. Stelae are used to post government notices and mark borders, defining land ownership. They frequently display texts and may be decorated with various forms of ornamentation. Inscriptions, carvings in relief, and paint can be applied to the slab. Traditional Western gravestones are technically stelae, although they are rarely referred to by this term. Similarly, non-Western cultures have their own terms for stela-like objects, but "stela" is consistently used for items from Europe, the ancient Near East, Egypt, China, and Pre-Columbian America. Muslim funerary steles often featured elaborate decoration to honor the dead. This monument is part of a digital archive called Scan The World, created by MyMiniFactory, where fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe are collected for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have items to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help build this archive.