Scanning the Stones
Paul Bryan, English Heritage
In 2011 English Heritage embarked upon a new survey of Stonehenge that used a combination of laser scanning, photogrammetry and digital imaging to three dimensionally record both the standing and fallen stones and the immediate landscape within the area known as ‘the Triangle’. This work formed part of an analytical landscape survey that since 2007 has been using a range of terrestrial and aerial techniques to capture the wider Stonehenge World Heritage Site (WHS) at various scales and levels of survey. Known as the Stonehenge Landscape Project, this primarily focused on the earthworks across the site: however, its scope included other upstanding physical remains – such as the stones themselves – because it was felt that knowledge of the monument might thereby be dramatically improved, and hitherto unknown artwork detected by using modern laser scanning technology.
As well as outlining the original data acquisition processes and initial archaeological assessment, this presentation will focus on recent research undertaken by English Heritage during 2012, research that aimed to maximise the potential of this important new dataset and to inform our understanding of this iconic site. Using a range of visualisation techniques, the laser scan and photogrammetric datasets have been archaeologically analysed in great detail. The results have exceeded all expectations. As well as providing a wealth of new information about the stones that is aiding current conservation, presentation and management of the site, this new material is being incorporated into a range of still and virtual displays that will be visible within the new Stonehenge visitor centre, due to be opened in Autumn 2013.
Speaker Biography
Paul G Bryan BSc – is the Geospatial Imaging Manager within the Remote Sensing Team of English Heritage. Based in York, he heads up the Geospatial Imaging team which assists in the implementation of the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) – principally measure 3, relating to identification of potential – and takes the corporate lead on the application of metric survey approaches applicable to cultural heritage. Paul has extensive knowledge of image- based survey techniques, including photogrammetry and laser scanning, and is co-author of the ‘Metric Survey Specifications for Cultural Heritage’ which sets the standard for metric surveys across the heritage sector. He is currently co-chair of the ‘Cultural heritage data acquisition and processing’ WGV/2 working group within ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) Technical Commission V, concerned with the development and application of close-range image measurement techniques, and is the UK representative for CIPA (The International Scientific Committee for Documentation of Cultural Heritage).
