Geomatics skills exchange with the Univesitat Politècnica de València
A geomatics professor from the Univesitat Politècnica de València has completed a four month skills exchange placement with us as part of 'Stays of professors and senior researchers in foreign centers', an initiative funded by the Spanish Government. The programme aims to immerse academics in international research institutions to build networks and promote the sharing of technical skills.
Dr Pablo Rodríguez-Navarro secured funding under the scheme to work alongside our Geomatics, Photography and Thames Discovery Programme teams under the guidance of Peter Rauxloh, our Chief Digital Officer. His research interests overlap with a core area of expansion in our work: using geometrical processing techniques to generate high resolution 3D models of archaeological artefacts and sites. During his residency, Dr Rodríguez-Navarro contributed mainly to four of our projects:
Spitalfields Charnel House
Our excavations in 1999 revealed a charnel house – a building for storing bones – once part of the Augustinian Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital. The charnel house is one of only four of its kind in England, and was built in the early 1300s. Its foundations are on public display beneath the headquarters of Allen and Overy in Spitalfields. Dr Rodríguez-Navarro helped to create a series of 3D photogrammetry models and 2D elevations, of the foundations in situ, and fragments of the building recovered through excavation. The results will be displayed on an interactive poster funded by Historic England at the site, which will allow passers-by to access the 3D models using QR codes.
St Mary Spital. Chapel-Charnel House, 14th, London by LevARQ on Sketchfab
Gallion's Point 19th-20th century trading vessel
At Gallion's Point in North Woolwich, a small coastal trading vessel from the late 19th-early 20th century has been hulked on the foreshore in a very atmospheric location next to the entrance of to the Royal Docks. As it is starting to break apart, a photogrammetic survey of the barge was undertaken with the Thames Discovery Programme team to record it in the form of 2D elevations and a 3D model. This work improves our understanding of 19th-20th century coastal trading vessels and will help us to date this particular example more accurately.
Gallion's Point 19th-20th century trading vessel
Isleworth Ait submarine chaser: The Eothen
The remains of Eothen (formerly ML286), a First World War submarine chaser, currently lie on the foreshore at Isleworth Ait. The Eothen is the last surviving Royal Naval 'Motor Launch' of the more than 550 that served in the First World War, and was later involved in the Dunkirk evacuation. With help from the Thames Discovery Programme and Giorgio Verdiani of the University of Florence, photogrammetry and laser scanning enabled 2D elevations, a plan, and a 3D model to be constructed. These will contribute significantly to our understanding of these little documented craft which played a vital role in the Allied victory as no detailed plans are known to survive.
Isleworth Ait submarine chaser: The Eothen
The Old Swan Stairs and Wharf, City of London
The embankment and foreshore of the City of London has transformed considerably over the centuries. At Swan Lane, at least two phases of an 18th-19th century jetty, the river wall and part of a staircase bear testament to this. These features were recorded using a variety of survey techniques including 3D photogrammetry, resulting in 2D elevations and a 3D model which will help us to understand their phasing, and how the waterfront at Swan Lane changed over time.
