Visualising Heritage

Based within the School of Archaeological & Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford we pioneer transformative interdisciplinary research using 3D imaging and visualisation to link tangible, intangible and natural heritage. Our remit addresses contemporary societal needs, place-based research, and encourages heritage assets to be widely accessible and discoverable. We cover wideranging applications in archaeology, heritage science, conservation, human bioarchaeology and forensic science. We work at a variety of scales – from artefacts and human remains, to buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, townscape heritage and city-wide digital twins. We undertake research and knowledge exchange with partners and stakeholders, ranging from local authorities, to commercial and non-governmental organisations, charities and community-focused groups. We have received support from the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council’s World Class Labs programme, upgrading the UK’s creative and heritage facilities. This funding has helped research organisations like ours maintain and improve our facilities and digital capabilities. At our disposal are geospatial techniques for terrestrial and airborne capture – including geophysical prospection (magnetometry, GPR and ERT); vehicle and backpack-mounted mobile mapping (laser scanning and high resolution imagery – Leica TRK 700 EVO and Mosaic X and Mosaic Viking); 3D laser scanning (terrestrial, airborne and robotic capture); aerial capture (incl. thermography, multispectral, LiDAR and magnetometry); structure-from-motion photogrammetry; object capture (structured light and laser scanning) and surface metrology; as well as cross-sectional imaging (Fujifilm NewTom 7G cone-beam CT and Zeiss MetroTom 1500 3G micro CT). We specialise in rich and immersive outputs and visualisation combining Virtual and Mixed reality, custom viewers and shared immersive spaces (iGloo 7m cylinder and touring system; Soluis Reality Portal).