What Is The New Roman Castleford Digital Experience At Queens Mill?

Ever walked through your town and wondered what it was like hundreds, or even thousands, of years ago? It's easy to forget that beneath the pavements and shops, there's a whole load of history. Well, for anyone curious about Castleford's past, getting a glimpse of its Roman heritage just got a whole lot easier and way more fun.

Wakefield Council has launched a brand new digital experience called 'Roman Castleford Uncovered', and it's basically a time machine on your phone or tablet. This interactive project lets people explore the town's ancient Roman history without even leaving the house. But for those who want the full experience, there's a special launch event to kick things off.

A digital trip back in time

So, what's this all about? Imagine being able to see Roman Castleford as it stood 2,000 years ago. This isn't just about reading plaques in a museum; this is a fully interactive digital experience. The project, launching on Saturday 13 September at the historic Queens Mill, offers a new interpretation of local history. Using your smartphone, you can wander through a digital reconstruction of the Roman Fort, see what the Roman Bathhouse was like, and even explore the 'Vicus' - that's the civilian settlement that grew up around the fort. It's a creative way to bring history to life, especially for those who think history is just about dusty old books. This digital interpretation makes the Roman heritage of Castleford feel immediate and real.

The whole idea is to make the town's rich past accessible to everyone. The launch event is the perfect opportunity to see it first, but the best part is that from 15 September, you can access the whole thing from anywhere. Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, put it perfectly:

"This exciting project showcases the Roman history of the town, focusing on the archaeological collections that are on display in our museums." "It will be online and accessible via smart phones or tablet devices, so people will be able to explore Roman Castleford from their own home."

This means you can be sitting on your sofa and still be uncovering archaeological finds from the Castleford Museum. It's a brilliant new way to engage with the past and get more information about the town's amazing Roman story.

How does the tech work?

This isn't your average history tour. The project uses cutting-edge gaming technology to create its interactive world. Think about the detailed graphics and immersive environments in modern video games - that's the kind of tech being used here. It's been developed with local digital experts One to One Development Trust, who worked alongside the Castleford Civic Society and Castleford Heritage Trust to ensure the historical details are spot on. This creative collaboration means the digital experience is both fun and factual.

One of the coolest features is the use of augmented reality. What's that, you ask? It's where digital images are overlaid onto the real world through your phone's camera. You might have seen it in games where characters pop up in your living room. With 'Roman Castleford Uncovered', you'll be able to interact with an Augmented Reality Roman soldier. How amazing is that? It's a completely fresh interpretation of museum exhibits. This interactive digital experience allows for a much deeper connection with the Roman objects on display.

Here's a quick rundown of what you can do:

• Explore incredibly detailed, reconstructed scenes from Roman Castleford.
• Find and interact with digital versions of real archaeological finds from the Castleford Museum, like Roman coins and pottery.
• Get a selfie (maybe?) with an Augmented Reality Roman soldier who appears in your world.

This access to virtual Roman objects allows people to examine things like ancient coins up close, in a way you never could in a traditional museum setting. It transforms static history into a hands-on adventure.

A quick lesson on Roman Castleford

Why was Castleford so important to the Romans anyway? Well, back in the first century, it was a key strategic location. The Romans built a fort here because it was an important crossing point over the River Calder. After the soldiers moved on, a proper Roman settlement continued to thrive until the 4th Century. It wasn't just some sleepy outpost; it was a place where people made high-quality goods. Archaeologists have found evidence of craftspeople making things like fancy spoons and jewellery. Imagine that - a bustling town making luxury items almost two millennia ago!

And let's not forget the Roman Bathhouse. This wasn't just a place to get clean; it was a social hub, a bit like a modern-day spa or community centre. It was a place for soldiers and civilians to rest and recover. The new digital experience allows you to explore the Roman Bathhouse, giving you a real sense of what daily life was like. Understanding this history gives a new appreciation for the town. This project provides a fantastic interpretation of that Roman heritage.

Who made this creative project happen?

A brilliant project like this doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It's the result of hard work and collaboration. Wakefield Council led the charge, teaming up with local history experts from the Castleford Civic Society and Castleford Heritage Trust. The technical magic was provided by the One to One Development Trust. This whole initiative is part of a bigger project called 'Our Heritage Our Stories', which was made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It's fantastic to see a grant being used for such an innovative and creative project that celebrates local Roman heritage.

The aim is to showcase the incredible collection of Roman objects held at the Castleford Museum, from pottery to Roman coins. By creating this interactive experience, the history and the archaeological finds become accessible to a much wider audience. It's a smart way of using technology to preserve and share history.

How you can get involved in this event

Fancy checking this out for yourself? The big launch event takes place on Saturday 13 September at Queens Mill. It's the perfect chance to be among the first to try out the new digital experience. For more information or to book a spot at the launch, you can visit the Heritage Open Days website.

If you can't make the launch event, don't worry! You won't miss out. The Castleford Museum will be running sessions all the following week, from 15-20 September (the museum is closed on Wednesdays), where you can pop in and have a go. And from 15 September, you can get access to the 'Roman Castleford Uncovered' experience directly from your own smartphone or tablet. All the information you need is on the Wakefield Council website. It's an unmissable event for anyone interested in history, technology, or just finding out more about Castleford's amazing Roman past.