From the killing ground: digital approaches to conflict archaeology - a case study from Waterloo

Eve, S. and Pollard, T. (2020) From the killing ground: digital approaches to conflict archaeology - a case study from Waterloo. Digital War, 1(1-3), pp. 144-158. (doi: 10.1057/s42984-020-00013-y)

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Abstract

Since 2015, Waterloo Uncovered has been conducting archaeological fieldwork on the famous 1815 battlefield in Belgium. This paper will focus on two aspects of this work that demonstrate how digital technologies have been used both to interpret the archaeology and to facilitate reconstruction. At Hougoumont, the farm which served as a strong point on Wellington’s right, metal detector survey has provided a visceral insight into the fighting, which has added much to what is already known from historical accounts. This interpretation has in part been facilitated through the use of a digital recording system known as ARK, which plots finds on a map of the site and allows artefacts to be viewed as groups and also as individual objects, which can be subject to detailed scrutiny. The archaeological results of the project have also been useful in informing a virtual reality reconstruction of Hougoumont, which although in an early stage of development will permit visitors to step back in time and experience the farm as it appeared in 1815.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pollard, Professor Tony
Authors: Eve, S., and Pollard, T.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:Digital War
Publisher:Palgrave Macmillan
ISSN:2662-1975
ISSN (Online):2662-1983
Published Online:08 June 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Springer Nature Limited
First Published:First published in Digi War 1(1-3): 144-158
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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