Alistair Carty with his scanner at Rievaulx. © Kippa Matthews.

Cutting edge laser scanning technology will be shedding new light on Rievaulx Abbey on Sunday July 17 2005 as part of National Archaeology Week (July 16-24).

The 900-year old ruins, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire will be showcasing a simple-looking metal box that will be busily capturing Rievaulx's majestic ruins in 3-D glory.

The development is the result of a partnership between English Heritage and Glasgow-based specialists, Archaeoptics, to investigate the use of scanning technology on large monuments like Rievaulx Abbey.

"Originally laser scanning was developed in America to measure whether new buildings deviated from drawing board specifications,” explained Alistair Carty, Technical Director of Archaeoptics, “but we saw the potential to use it on ancient sites.”

A 3-d image of Rievaulx - the result of a 10-minute scan.

“Over the past five years we've worked at places as diverse as Orkney's ancient tombs, Stonehenge and Wharram Percy, near Malton,” he added. “We'll be demonstrating the technology at National Archaeology Day and describing its immense potential."

The technology uses an integrated camera and laser, firing 1,000 pulses per second, to scan objects and generate 3-D images. Depending on its distance, the device can scan down to sub-millimetre precision.

Such detailed information is seen as vital because conservation work relies on detailed measurements. Rievaulx's original blueprints have long since vanished and laser scanning, allied to conventional techniques like photogrammetry, enables a building's true form to be studied.

"The aim of our National Archaeology Day event is to show people that protecting sites such as Rievaulx depends as much on modern technology as it does on age-old skills,” said John Lax, English Heritage Visitor Operations Manager. “To see the ruins appear in 3-D on a computer after a few minutes scanning is absolutely amazing."

Alistair Carty with his scanner at Rievlaux. © Kippa Matthews.

As well as the new technology the event will also feature some rather more familiar archaeological procedures. The clanking of trowels will accompany the demonstration of traditional conservation skills such as masonry, hand brick-making, wood-carving and geo-physics.

The day will also feature a live dig in the ancient refectory to unearth new evidence of Rievaulx’s possible industrial past as a charcoal store. A period-clad craftsmen using medieval techniques to make authentic "pilgrim badges" out of pewter will also be on hand to remind visitors of the once roaring trade in pilgrimages to Rievaulx.

The Archaeology Day at Rievaulx Abbey runs from 11am to 4pm on July 17. Entry is £5 adults, £4 concessions and £3 children. Visitor information on 01439 798228. For more on Archaeoptics visit www.archaeoptics.co.uk

National Archaeology Week takes place between July 16 and 24 and takes in heritage sites right across the UK. To find out how you can take part in excavation open days, guided tours, exhibitions, lectures, ancient art and craft workshops and much, much more visit the National Archaeology Week Events Page of the Council For British Archaeology website.