Hengistbury Head works with Bournemouth University using state-of-the-art conservation and digitisation techniques to shed new light on over 12,500 years of human history.
This pioneering joint project, funded by the Regional Innovation Fund, is set to unveil the unique heritage of Hengistbury Head by unravelling the mysteries of its collections.
A joint project between archaeologists at Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, and the Russell Coates Art Gallery & Museum showcases the internationally significant heritage of Hengistbury Head to over 1.2 million annual visitors.
The project has delved into the curated collections held at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and archives at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to uncover new stories about the past. Digital X-Ray analysis at Bournemouth University laboratories has been used to identify Iron Age objects used by people over 2,000 years ago on the headland. New finds include a preserved Iron Age saw encased in corrosion, which gives us insight into the tools available to people on Hengistbury Head during the Iron Age.
Left (A): photograph of the object previously thought to be an Iron Age currency bar. Right (B): X-Ray image of the same object showing the preserved teeth of a saw on the upper right-hand side (C). Photographs courtesy of Dr Heather Tamminen and Megan Russell
Hengistbury Head staff and volunteers have also been working with digital heritage specialists from Bournemouth University to learn how to create 3D digital models of the objects housed in the Visitor Centre. The success of this project will allow BCP to unlock new access to the collections helping the public learn about over 12,500 years of human occupation on the headland.
Hengistbury Head staff and volunteers taking part in photogrammetry training in the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Bournemouth University. Photograph courtesy of Dr Scott-Pratt (Curator, Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre)
Thanks to the government’s Regional Innovation Fund, this project will bring the internationally significant archaeology of Hengistbury Head to new audiences by introducing state-of-the-art conservation and digitisation techniques to the collections, ensuring their enduring value as an educational and research resource.
Mark Holloway, BCP’s project lead said, “This is such a good example of two organisations working together for the benefit of the community - with improved access to the heritage and archaeology collections at Hengistbury Head.”
Hayden Scott-Pratt, Curator of the Visitor Centre and Hengistbury Head archaeological collections commented, “This project will have a lasting impact on how people engage and interact with the incredible heritage on our site and has pushed our understanding of our collections by leaps and bounds.”
Kate Welham, Professor of Archaeological Sciences in the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology said, “This project is a brilliant example of how state-of-the-art technology can unlock new insight about our past and create new ways for the public to access these internationally significant collections.”
If you are interested in volunteering at Hengistbury Head, please email the Visitor Centre for more information: [email protected].
Visit the Hengistbury Head website to see upcoming events: www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk.
