The
aim for the museum's inspirational trip to the Isle of Thanet was to follow up on new Isotope research conducted on Bronze age artefacts
from south-eastern Sweden at Gothenburg University for a coming exhibition about
trans-Atlantic trade and travelling during that era. We contacted the Isle of
Thanet archaeological society to assist us in our research about the area and
they graciously made the time to show us around Kent to view the different
archaeological sites connected to maritime trading during the Bronze age.
The
museum’s exhibition will disseminate the new knowledge provided by Gothenburg
university together with our own experience of trip to Isle of Thanet. We met
up with Peter Clark from the Canterbury archaeological trust, who provided us
with valuable information about the Dover ship. This knowledge will enable us
to provide a 3D-model of the ship. Together with Lund’s university and their
students in digital archaeology we will produce a 3D-film of the Dovership. Telling
a story of how Scandinavia was connected to a wider trading society along the
Atlantic coast and where the Isle of Thanet probably operated as a transit hub.
The
exhibition is experimental and dynamic. It will continue to grow and change if
there is new evidence to present. The research is presented with a mix of
traditional displays of artefacts and new technology will emphasis on
presenting the acquired knowledge to a new target audience. The public will
have the opportunity to view the bronze artefacts involved in the isotope
studies conducted by Gothenburg university, together with other objects
connected to the Bronze trade. The public will be able to view some of the
artefacts closer on iPads as they have been turned into 3D-models which displays
details difficult to see in a showcase. If the visitor wishes to learn more
about the Bronze Age it could do so on a multi touchscreen, which is filled
with information about different aspects of the everyday life during that time.
This information is available to download to a smartphone or iPad on site.
Jeanette Gimmerstam
Digital curator
Österlens museum
