Autodesk is amazing

Just downloaded a host of Autodesk programmes for free via the University's licensing agreements with the company. After only a few minutes, I had my 3D laser scan data of the Hell-Fire Caves in an accessible format. Whoop whoop. Too much excitement. Some of the views even look quite painterly and pretty.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) were kind enough to send me the raw data over the last couple of months (thanks Lee!) (following our fieldwork last year) and it's been an interesting learning curve getting a handle on data that so massive!

A painterly view of the Hell-Fire Caves laser scan data using Autodesk

June is for winning and scanning

Last week I conducted a 3D laser scan of the Hell-Fire Caves at West Wycombe. We took millions upon millions of data points and the full extent is so epic it deserves proper reflection and a proper write up - so expect that soon. And again, a super huge thanks to the British Geological Survey for making my laser scanning dreams come true! They are absolute legends and a pleasure to work with. And to the cave owners and staff - a massive thanks for allowing me unfettered access and for being so welcoming.Here's a teaser behind the scenes shot:

Lee from the BGS using the Faro 3D laser scanner at the Hell-Fire Caves

June was also a good month for awards - my supervisor and I were just awarded a University Teaching Development Grant for my projects involving social media embedded within the annual Berkeley Castle Project. This follows an award from the University's Green Apple Scheme for a community engagement and ethics project (also embedded within the BCP) - I'm in the process of drafting the evaluation for this and the second part of the award will see me set up a temporary exhibition around the town of Berkeley.

Plus, (yes, even more!), I was shortlisted for a University Award for Enhancing the Student Learning Experience - and received a commendation. Quote from Professor Judith Squires, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education):

"...you clearly have excelled in your role and the contribution you have made in promoting the University theme of Education for Sustainable Development, in both transformative and innovative capacity, is very much appreciated. On behalf of the University I would like to formally commend and convey our gratitude to you."

I've also joined the REACT team and will be testing a multimedia object box in a school next week. Read more about the project here: http://www.react-hub.org.uk/objects-sandbox/projects/2014/reflector/

Update: November 2013 - March 2014

The last few months have been a haze of activity and have kept me out of trouble.

First up - I successfully completed the upgrade process, moving me from MLitt to official PhD student status.

Parliament - I made my debut at the House of Commons, speaking as the representative for ESD in Higher Education. Surprised to find that entering the hallowed halls was a bit like going through airport security.

Awards - the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) team, including yours truely, were commended for our education efforts at the Green Gown Awards (courses category - see more here: http://www.sustainabilityexchange.ac.uk/13-courses/1728-green-gown-awards-2013-courses-university-of-bristol-highly-commended-case-study)

Me centre holding our commendation from the Green Gown Awards

Research - I did some more survey work at the Hell-Fire Caves; and took a trip to LAARC to conduct x-ray fluorescence analysis of some bits of glassware related to the Hell-Fire Clubs (pew pew)

A sample of the glassware I sampled at LAARC

This is what a sensible academic looks like (#LearningIsFun)

Conference - attended the Shipwreck Archaeology conference in Plymouth: great chats, papers, and new friends.

One of my new friends in Plymouth

Abby - and stopped by Buckfastleigh Abby on the way back.

Blast from the past - found a bunch of golden oldie childhood toys while at home for Christmas.

Pogs! Who remembers pogs!

Presentations - workshops, posters...too many for any sensible person, but at least one of them had cake.

The University understands that its students need cake

New Brighton - it's a place near Liverpool which is guarded by a demented clown. Be afraid.

BAARS - my home away from home, the #LearningIsFun capital of the world: BAARS (Bristol Archaeology & Anthropology Research Seminar Series).

It's all about the post-talk drinks and bonding

New Years - a fantastic get together of friends. Totally civilised. All photos were burned.

Lecture - with limited teaching this term (good for time contraints) I only had to give a few lectures, one to the visiting Access students on Maritime Archaeology, and the other on the material culture of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Social - saw Steel Panther (oh dear, they are a lot to handle), went to a delightful Bristol Real Ale Festival; took a scenic trip to Henley-on-Thames, survived Ragnorak, etc.

Press - I did some more BBC 5Live cover for Win Scutt on Archaeology (Giles Dilnott's "Up All Night"); and was interviewed about the Hell-Fire Cave survey plans by BBC 3Counties, which was also covered by the Bucks Free Press and the University in a press release.

Funding - started a crowdfunding project to help get a 3D laser scan of the Hell-Fire Caves done, check it out and support here: http://wefund.com/project/hell-fire-cave-mapping/p59473/

Phew. Need to get back to my PhD by resolve (again) to update more frequently.

Hell-Fire Cave Survey

The Hell-Fire Caves at West Wycombe are a complicated series of tunnels and chambers, hewn by human hand in the mid 18th century. Sir Francis Dashwood commissioned the creation of the caves to serve as a meeting place for his friends who formed a club known as the Monks of Medmenham or the Knights of St Francis.

To date, very little archaeological evidence from the caves has surfaced. As part of my research on the Hell-Fire Clubs, I would like to undertake a 3D laser scan of the whole complex. This is an enormous task as the caves stretch for over a quarter mile underground, twisting and turning all the way. My previous attempts to hand survey have been moderately successful, but the laser scanning would offer the opportunity to record the site in full 3D, including detailed imaging of the wall surfaces. My intention is to make this 3D plan available online for anyone to access, and I will use the information collected to inform my archaeological PhD studies.

I have received a very low price to conduct the scanning, but it is still far outside my student budget. The scanning itself will cost c.£1500-£1750.

Please help me achieve my goal to scan the caves and share my findings widely - you can do this by donating as much or as little as you like here: http://wefund.com/project/hell-fire-cave-mapping/p59473/

Many Thanks! Ash

UPDATE: Great news - the BGS have offered to step in and support my research by providing the scanning for me! Wow! Really looking forward to working with them and sharing the results in the next couple of months.

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL PRESS RELEASE

Student undertakes landmark 3D scan of Hell-Fire Caves


Press release issued: 28 March 2014