Visualising the invisible: visualising historic shipwrecks

In 2001 3D Visualisation Research Group, led by Flack, was established with a remit premised upon the promotion of a sustainable research ethos, regarded as essential to the sustainability of a centre of excellence in the developing field of 3D visualisation. A collaboration between St Andrews University and Dundee University working with Archaeological Diving Unit Survey that represents the forefront of high-definition multibeam sonar surveys of archaeological sites. Animated 3D visualisations are produced (Rowland) using point clouds derived from innovative Multibeam Sonar Scanning of the wreck site in the Thames estuary. The ADUS research collaboration involves Rowland (3D Visualisation), Martin Dean, (Maritime Archaeologist, St Andrews University), and Mark Lawrence, (Maritime Archaeologist, SOMAP). ADUS’ unique expertise and experience has resulted in invitations to undertake specialist surveys. This has included a forensic study of the Richard Montgomery munitions wreck in 2005 and 2006 for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (Department for Transport) and, in 2006, a similar survey of the Royal Oak in Scapa Flow for the Salvage and Marine Operations IPT, division of the Ministry of Defence. The 3D Visualisations are being used to define government policy on dealing with environmentally significant wreck sites. The on line publication in ACM Siggraph Computer Graphics, volume 40, issue 3, November 2006 (Flack and Rowland) disseminates the research findings related to the survey of the shipwreck Royal Oak and finds its context within current research investigations into the application of 3D technologies and techniques in medical imaging, forensics, architecture, anatomy and archaeology. The paper demonstrates that digital imagery has uses beyond movies and video games, but can help preserve wartime history and contribute to the saving of the environment around Scapa Bay. Evidence: CDRom with PDF of article and printed version
A collaboration between St Andrews University and Dundee University working with Archaeological Diving Unit Survey.
The ADUS research collaboration involves Rowland (3D Visualisation), Martin Dean, (Maritime Archaeologist, St Andrews University), and Mark Lawrence, (Maritime Archaeologist, SOMAP)