Nottingham Caves Survey
Encyclopedia
The Nottingham Caves Survey is a research project being conducted by Trent and Peak Archaeology, at the University of Nottingham
. Spearheaded by Dr David Walker with Julia Clarke, the aim of the non-profit project is to scan every accessible cave from the 450+ man-made sandstone caves that are known to be present in the city of Nottingham
. The project is being funded primarily by both the Greater Nottingham Partnership
, who have an interest in utilising the caves for increasing tourism and helping grow the local economy, and English Heritage
, who are motivated by an interest in preserving the remaining heritage of Nottingham.
The project builds upon the data collected in the 1980s as part of the British Geological Survey
(BGS), where all the known caves of Nottingham were recorded into the BGS register. The Nottingham Caves Survey visits each cave listed in the BGS register, asks permission from the owner to view the cave, and if the conditions are suitable, seeks to scan the cave structure using a 3D laser scanner. The laser scanner builds up a 'point cloud' by collecting billions of survey points, which make up the black and white 3D images. Fish-eye photographs are taken from exactly the same position on the tripod around 360 degrees. The 'point cloud' can be merged with the photographs and manipulated to make plans, animations and fly-through videos, available on the project website.
The Nottingham Caves Survey is recording data from an eclectic range of cave systems, from the famous Mortimer's Hole and King David's Dungeon at the Nottingham Ducal Mansion
, the cave complexes of the renown Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
, Ye Olde Salutation Inn
and The Bell Inn
- three of the oldest inns in England - to the cave cellars of houses dotted around the city, as each are considered to have a unique story to tell.
The project has received widespread press, due to the possible implications on well known Nottingham lore like that of the famous legend of Robin Hood
, by such varied media outlets as ThisIsNottingham, BBC News, Science Daily and the New York Times. The project has also received positive attention for the environmental policies of the surveying team, as all the equipment is transported between sites in trailers by bicycles.
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
. Spearheaded by Dr David Walker with Julia Clarke, the aim of the non-profit project is to scan every accessible cave from the 450+ man-made sandstone caves that are known to be present in the city of Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. The project is being funded primarily by both the Greater Nottingham Partnership
Greater Nottingham Partnership
The Greater Nottingham Partnership was formed in 1994 by Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council with the aim of improving partnership working across the Greater Nottingham conurbation and attracting more government regeneration funding into the area.The GNP represents the...
, who have an interest in utilising the caves for increasing tourism and helping grow the local economy, and English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
, who are motivated by an interest in preserving the remaining heritage of Nottingham.
The project builds upon the data collected in the 1980s as part of the British Geological Survey
British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey is a partly publicly funded body which aims to advance geoscientific knowledge of the United Kingdom landmass and its continental shelf by means of systematic surveying, monitoring and research. The BGS headquarters are in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, but other centres...
(BGS), where all the known caves of Nottingham were recorded into the BGS register. The Nottingham Caves Survey visits each cave listed in the BGS register, asks permission from the owner to view the cave, and if the conditions are suitable, seeks to scan the cave structure using a 3D laser scanner. The laser scanner builds up a 'point cloud' by collecting billions of survey points, which make up the black and white 3D images. Fish-eye photographs are taken from exactly the same position on the tripod around 360 degrees. The 'point cloud' can be merged with the photographs and manipulated to make plans, animations and fly-through videos, available on the project website.
The Nottingham Caves Survey is recording data from an eclectic range of cave systems, from the famous Mortimer's Hole and King David's Dungeon at the Nottingham Ducal Mansion
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle is a castle in Nottingham, England. It is located in a commanding position on a natural promontory known as "'Castle Rock'", with cliffs high to the south and west. In the Middle Ages it was a major royal fortress and occasional royal residence...
, the cave complexes of the renown Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem
Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem in Nottingham is one of the 20 public houses which claim to be the oldest drinking establishment in England. Its painted sign states that it was established in 1189 AD...
, Ye Olde Salutation Inn
Ye Olde Salutation Inn
Ye Olde Salutation Inn is a public house dating from around 1240 that lays claim to being the oldest in Nottingham.-History:...
and The Bell Inn
The Bell Inn
The Bell Inn is a Grade II listed public house dating from around 1437 that lays claim to being the oldest in Nottingham.-Foundation and early history:...
- three of the oldest inns in England - to the cave cellars of houses dotted around the city, as each are considered to have a unique story to tell.
The project has received widespread press, due to the possible implications on well known Nottingham lore like that of the famous legend of Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
, by such varied media outlets as ThisIsNottingham, BBC News, Science Daily and the New York Times. The project has also received positive attention for the environmental policies of the surveying team, as all the equipment is transported between sites in trailers by bicycles.
External links
- http://nottinghamcavessurvey.org.uk
- The Nottingham Caves Survey on Youtube