Operated by East Boldre Community Stores Limited.
Community Benefit Society, number 8481
Gravestone Recording
Of the more than 500 burials on the chapel site, just 54 gravestones remain. Many are badly eroded, making their inscriptions difficult or impossible to read. Thanks to funding from National Lottery players, we have been able to create a detailed digital record of the stones before further deterioration occurs. The project builds on work carried out at St Michael’s, Lyndhurst in 2019 by computational archaeologist Dr James Miles of Archaeovision.
All 54 gravestones have now been recorded using Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), which enhances worn inscriptions, and photogrammetry, which has produced detailed 3D models of each stone.
The work was supported by National Park Authority archaeologists Gareth Owen and Hilde van der Heul. Gareth brought experience from the St Michael’s project, while Hilde coordinated one of the volunteer gravestone-cleaning teams.
Before recording, volunteers carefully cleared brambles and ivy and cleaned the gravestones in accordance with War Memorials Trust guidelines, revealing previously obscured text.James then captured the gravestones using RTI and photogrammetry techniques:
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Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) reveals surface details that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Multiple photographs are taken with light projected from different directions, creating changing highlights and shadows. These images are combined to reveal fine surface detail, making it possible to read and accurately record worn inscriptions.
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Photogrammetry creates a detailed 3D model by combining multiple photographs taken from different angles. The technique requires only a camera and allows each gravestone to be digitally viewed and examined from any direction.
Imaging Results and Biographies
The gravestones are laid out along three sides of the narrow strip of land at the back of the chapel site. The layout below reflects this. Tap on the boxes below to see the imaging results and to find out more the people each gravestone commemorates.
LEFT HAND SIDE
RIGHT HAND SIDE
