“We have learnt so much from this project, not only in terms of our ability to document such a complex and important artefact, but also the needs of different stakeholders and the gains to be made through collaboration. The scan we took and visualisations produced are phenomenal, but they only gain true significance in light of the knowledge and questions of the curatorial and research team”
Professor Fraser Sturt, University of Southampton
Context and challenge
The Mary Rose, King Henry VIII’s flagship, sank in 1545 and lay preserved on the seabed for nearly 450 years before its dramatic recovery in 1982. Today, the vessel represents one of the most significant maritime archaeological discoveries in the world and preserves the largest collection of Tudor objects ever recovered.
As the ship continues to undergo long-term conservation, the Mary Rose Trust identified the need for a new, high-resolution digital dataset. Existing records were no longer sufficient to support detailed structural monitoring, advanced research questions, or evolving public engagement needs. A new digital baseline was required to help conservators better understand ongoing degradation processes and to safeguard the vessel for future generations.
Investment in action
In September 2025, the Coastal and Inland Waters Heritage Science Facility (CIW), based at the University of Southampton, partnered with the Mary Rose Trust and Stockholm University to deliver a comprehensive new, high-resolution digital record of the hull of this iconic warship.
Enabled by previous AHRC Capability for Collections (CapCo) investment and current RICHeS funding, CIW was able to deploy advanced recording technologies and specialist expertise that would otherwise not have been accessible.
Innovative methods
The recording strategy combined terrestrial laser scanning and high-resolution photogrammetry to produce a single, unified dataset of exceptional accuracy. The team adapted equipment configurations and workflows to minimise disruption while maintaining conservation-grade quality data.
Interior laser scanning was carried out using a terrestrial scanner mounted on a pneumatic pole, allowing access to confined and low-light areas without compromising the vessel or its environment. These bespoke solutions refined CIW’s workflow for recording large, complex heritage assets under restrictive conditions.
The resulting datasets were processed and integrated to create a highly accurate 3D digital model of the Mary Rose hull, representing the most comprehensive record of the vessel produced to date.
Unlocking outcomes
This project demostrates how sustained investment enables interdisciplinary collaboration between facilities, museums and academic partners. By combining technical expertise with curatorial and research knowledge, the partnership delivered outcomes that no single organisation could have achieved alone.
The new digital record establishes a robust baseline for long-term structural monitoring of the Mary Rose. By enabling precise comparison over time, it supports improved understanding of material degradation and the identification of emerging risks, strengthening evidence-based conservation decision-making.
Beyond conservation, the dataset will underpin further research into shipbuilding techniques, vessel use and maritime warfare. Public-facing versions of the 3D models will enhance digital learning resources and museum interpretation, improving the public understanding of the ship and the complexity of its ingoing preservation.
The integrated workflow developed for high-resolution scanning in conservation-sensitive environments is also transferable to a wide range of maritime and terrestrial heritage assets. As a result, the benefits of this investment will go beyond the Mary Rose, supporting the future of heritage science research, conservation practice and public engagement at national and international scales.