The digital model of Skara Brae was created through a process of laser scanning, using ultra-fast, high-resolution laser scanners which capture 3D spatial data in the form of a point cloud. To capture a photorealistic model, hundreds of overlapping images of the site were combined with the spatial data (photogrammetry).
The model - which is available now for anyone to view on Sketchfab - allows visitors to explore the Neolithic site, including the opportunity to gain virtual access to 'House Seven', the best-preserved house at Skara Brae and one not normally accessible to the public.
Skara Brae is over 5,000 years old. It was first uncovered by a storm in 1850. It is the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe, with preserved details including furniture inside the houses.
According to HES, the technology used to create the model also has an important role to play in protecting the site for the future. Since 2010, Skara Brae has...