Plans unveiled for world leading Wolfson Digital Archaeology and Heritage Lab to launch at the University of York
Posted on 4 February 2025
Generous support of £700,000 from the Wolfson Foundation will equip the lab with state of the art technology, creating a seamless experience for researchers, students and our cultural partners to visualise the past through feel, sight and smell. This lab will be led by Director Colleen Morgan and Co-Director James Taylor with a strong team of digital specialists.
The facility will also bring together the University’s world-leading research in Archaeology and Heritage inside the Berrick Saul Building, which provides a 150 capacity lecture theatre and seminar rooms, offices, laboratories, and meeting spaces.
The laboratory will support the Department of Archaeology’s existing centres of excellence in Bioarchaeology (BioArCh), Heritage for Global Challenges Research Centre, Centre for Digital Heritage, Centre for Conservation Studies, The Centre for Artefacts and Materials Analysis, and York Experimental Archaeological Research YEAR Centre. They will work alongside our experts from the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture and heritage consultancy Heritage 360, who work with organisations to bring heritage buildings and objects to life.
Examples of technology that may be used in the lab:
- Handheld scanners: Can create 3D scans of artefacts in minute detail.
- Visualisation suite: An augmented Virtual Reality projection screen which can recreate immersive environments from the past.
- Virtual reality headsets: Headsets that create interactive, lifelike experiences for the wearer.
- State of the art 3D modelling workstations: These computers utilise gaming technology to render digital models and landscapes.
- A mix of augmented reality devices and haptic technologies that will allow users to experience virtual environments with multiple senses.
Speaking about the news, Nicky Milner, Head of the Department of Archaeology, shared a message of thanks on behalf of the department:
"The Department of Archaeology is incredibly excited to hear that we have been successful in receiving Wolfson funding for the Wolfson Digital Archaeology and Heritage Laboratory. This opportunity will bring our specialists together and fund state-of-the-art equipment to provide a one stop shop for the academic community and the public to access our expertise in digital archaeology and heritage. We are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for helping us realise this dream."
The creation of the laboratory follows previous cutting-edge research projects in Archaeology and Digital Heritage. A recent example of this work is the collaborative exhibition with York Museums Trust; Star Carr: Life After the Ice where York researchers created an interactive mural and soundscape, video storytelling, digital object models, and reconstructed a life sized hut in York Museum Gardens to tell the story of Mesolithic people in Britain.
The University of York leads the sector in digital heritage, following its renowned reputation in Arts and Humanities. The Wolfson Digital Archaeology and Heritage Lab will allow this to go even further.
The Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom, said:
“We are delighted to continue our longstanding involvement with the University of York, supporting the creation of a new digital archaeology and heritage laboratory. The potential for new digital technologies to open the past in novel and imaginative ways is exciting. This dedicated facility will enhance research and public engagement with the past – and also help foster greater collaboration between the academic community and heritage organisations.”
By leveraging state of the art digital processing systems, modelling software, augmented and virtual reality, and 3D printing, York will build on the quality of its research and provide compelling digital outreach, for the public good.
For more information about the laboratory, its facilities, and its philanthropic funding, please contact Philanthropy Manager, Ellen Robotham at ellen.robotham@york.ac.uk