SWACS have an exciting couple of weeks coming up. At the moment our Wemyss Caves 4D website features only Jonathan’s Cave, but experts from York Archaeological Trust are about to begin work on rolling out the Visualization Project to the rest of the caves. So, from Monday, 9 March, through to Friday, 20 March, (including the middle weekend) they will be on site at the caves with their laser scanning and specialist photographic equipment for the data collection phase. (Please note: these dates are currently provisional but unlikely to change).

We are planning to be there with our own equipment to run RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) sessions at the same time. This will mean that volunteers – as well as hands-on experience with RTI – will be able to find out more about various other techniques being used for the data collection at the caves and see the work in action.

We will be setting up RTI sessions for whenever during the fortnight they are wanted. In addition, our colleagues from SCAPE (Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion) – who are well practiced in the RTI technique and have a wealth of experience in all aspects of coastal archaeology – will also be available to help on all days except Mon 9th, Thu 12th and Mon 16th.

The normal pattern will be to gather at the SCC (Senior Citizens Centre, 79 Main Road, East Wemyss, KY1 4RQ) and from there head down to the caves at an agreed time. We will aim to process the collected RTI data on the same day so that you can try out that part too and see some results online, but there’s no obligation to stay for that. There will be tea/coffee available at the SCC but you might want to bring some lunch with you.

You’ll need warm clothes and sensible shoes for possibly muddy and rough terrain. You don’t need any special equipment – we have all that – but you might want to bring a torch if you have one. No previous experience is necessary – training will be given. The training will be hands-on – everyone who comes will get a chance to participate.

Please could you let Sue Hamstead know as soon as possible if you want to come to any of these sessions? If so, could you also let her know what time (from 10am onwards) you are able to arrive?

Sue Hamstead,
SWACS Education Officer
S.D.Hamstead@leeds.ac.uk