University's technology looks back thousands of years

The gallery’s exhibition, being launched on Saturday (26 January), will illuminate aspects of the local history, highlighting some of the stories of Brighton and Hove inhabitants from the Ice Age to the Saxon Age.

The researchers, from the university’s Computing and Mathematical Sciences Research Excellence Group and the Digitisation Lab have assisted the curators and designers of the new exhibition by applying cutting-edge technologies, including 3D scanning and 3D printing of human remains and archaeological artefacts.

Researchers scanned the skulls of human remains that were found in Sussex, with high accuracy using structured light 3D scanners. These skulls have been 3D printed and deployed as the basis to create physical forensic facial reconstructions of the people who lived and died in the area. Their reconstructed busts and stories about their daily activities are presented in the different sections of the gallery.

Aiming at creating multi-sensorial experiences in order to enjoy and learn about our past, various items of the gallery’s archaeological artefacts were also scanned and 3D printed.

Myrsini Samaroudi with the 3D printed design of a pottery puzzle for the new gallery

Dr Karina Rodriguez Echavarria

Myrsini Samaroudi, whose PhD research explores the properties and dynamics of digital fabricated artefacts in cultural heritage, said: “Through the deployment of digital technologies visitors will be able to feel objects that are usually out-of-touch in museums and exhibitions. Special interest has also been given to children and families, who will have the opportunity to have a first-hand experience in testing their skills in assembling 3D pottery puzzles like archaeologists do”.

Dr Karina Rodriguez Echavarria, Principal Lecturer in the university’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics and Digitisation Lab lead, said: “Scientific research and knowledge transfer have been key to the design of the New Gallery and the collaboration between the university and the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is expected to continue to unveil our past and enrich our future with state-of-the-art technological developments.

“Our collaboration with the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery demonstrates the impact our research has to our local heritage institutions. By co-creating solutions with professionals at the museum we have been able to advance scientific knowledge, while ensuring this has a practical application to heritage professionals.”