Front Page

Chester
Norton
Nantwich
Lincoln
Pershore
Ely
Gloucester
Norwich
Wells
Westminster
Exeter
Ottery St Mary
Tewkesbury

Explore the history of our case study sites and the geometry of their vaults by clicking the relevant title or model on the map above.

About the project

Tracing the Past is an ongoing research project at the University of Liverpool investigating the design and construction of medieval vaults. It uses contemporary digital techniques such as laser scanning and 3D modelling to investigate these fascinating structures. Since 2014 we have surveyed and analysed numerous sites across England, focusing on religious buildings. Click on the links below to access highlights of our findings from individual sites and thematic sections on digitising, designing and constructing medieval vaults. Our research has been supported by an AHRC Early Career Research Grant lasting from 2018-21. Find out more here.

Digitising

Digitising

Explore the digital techniques we used to record vaults and analyse their designs.

Designing

Explore the geometry and design processes which we identified in medieval vaults.

Constructing

Explore the stonecutting and construction methods used in vaulting.

Blog posts

  • Talk and workshop series
    The Tracing the Past project at the University of Liverpool, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, has spent the past seven years recording and analysing vaults in England.…
  • MMV Second Symposium
    We are delighted to be hosting our second symposium focusing on research into gothic vaults, particularly that aided by digital tools. MMV2 will be an online event hosted by the…
  • Wells Tracing Floor (eCAADe 2020)
    In September 2020 we were due to visit Berlin to attend the eCAADe conference, however, COVID-19 shifted proceedings online. Our paper, written by the entire project team, documented and analysed…

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