Digital heritage consultancy

I have extensive experience of working with digital tools to help understand, record, interpret and share the past. Find out more about what I can offer below.

Heritage Data

Key skills: database design, recording systems, Historic Environment Records, desk and field-based survey and research

I specialise in working with large-scale datasets – unlocking the potential of “big heritage data” for site-specific project work. Databases can be fun! I can design databases for all kinds of recording project, and will make sure that this can be shared as widely as possible, including on the web. 

I have nearly a decade of experience working in Historic Environment Records? – fantastic resources for information on local landscape history – combining local archaeology and historic buildings. I can therefore help you realise the full potential of these resources; I am passionate about their role as education tools, and know just how much they can help local societies with their educational goals.

LiDAR?

Key skills: LiDAR training, download, manipulation, interpretation and presentation (2D and 3D)

LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a method of collecting height data by bouncing laser pulses at the ground from and back to an aircraft. The data can be turned into digital elevation models, essentially, high resolution 3D maps of the ground surface, which can be displayed in several ways – one way is to produce artificial shadows or ‘hillshade’, as well as to turn it into interactive models.

While LiDAR cannot see through trees, some of the laser pulses will penetrate between branches – particularly when the flying is done in winter and the leaves have fallen. The trees themselves can then be digitally removed from the image, to give some detail of the shape of the ground between the trees. This can often reveal archaeological sites and features that can’t be seen from normal aerial photography.

It’s changing the way archaeologists work, allowing us to map, interpret and record archaeological earthworks – prehistoric funerary monuments, Roman roads and medieval fields to name but a few.

I have been working with LiDAR for nearly a decade – it’s a fantastic tool, particularly for exploring earthwork archaeology in upland landscapes. I can provide training and expert services in downloading, manipulating, interpreting and presenting the data – to make sure you get the best out of it. This includes 2D visualizations as well as 3D, interactive models.

See my page on LiDAR and 3D modelling for more.

GIS mapping?

Key skills: digital mapping, GPS and conventional survey, illustration and draftsmanship

Are you a local archaeological society looking to produce professional-looking maps for survey projects? Are you interested in building interactive maps and plans for the web?

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) tools are powerful ways of working with maps for archaeology. I can take raw survey data, and produce professional maps and illustrations, suitable for publication.

I can provide bespoke training sessions in Open Source GIS systems, such as Quantum GIS.

See my page on digital mapping for more.

Website design, development and consultancy

Alongside this, I also specialise in developing project and organisation websites – please refer to my page on web design and development to see how I can develop websites as part of the integrated service I provide.