Unlocking Roman Castleford Through Digital Technology

People will soon have the opportunity to explore the Roman history of Castleford through a virtual experience, as announced by Wakefield Council.

The Roman Castleford Uncovered project will enable users to use smartphones or tablets to virtually visit the town's bath house and fort as they appeared 2,000 years ago. Participants can also view Roman artifacts and interact with a virtual Roman soldier.

Castleford, established as a fort and river crossing in the 1st Century, was a significant Roman settlement until the 4th Century.

A spokesperson from Wakefield Council stated that the project highlights the town's Roman history, focusing on archaeological collections in local museums.

The interactive exhibition showcasing Roman artifacts found in and around Castleford was developed using gaming technology.

Councillor Hannah Appleyard, responsible for culture, leisure, and sport at Wakefield Council, mentioned that the online platform will be accessible via smartphones or tablets, allowing people to explore Roman Castleford from their homes.

The Roman Castleford Uncovered initiative was a joint effort involving digital specialists One to One Development Trust, Castleford Civic Society, and Castleford Heritage Trust, utilizing cutting-edge gaming technology.

Judi Alston, creative director at One to One Development Trust, described the project as an opportunity to digitally showcase museum collections and artifacts in detail through various technologies and creative approaches.

Funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is part of the Our Heritage Our Stories initiative.

The free Roman Castleford Uncovered project is set to launch on Saturday, September 13, at the Queen's Mill heritage centre, according to Wakefield Council.