From 12th May to 18th June, HERITΛGE hosted its Digital Tools Summer School programme, bringing together 24 participants from Africa, Asia, and Europe.* The programme combined online and in-person training and equipped heritage professionals with practical skills in GIS, photogrammetry, 3D modelling, and terrestrial laser scanning.

From 12 May – 6 June the trainees took part in an  online Training Program, while from 8 – 18 June those attending the Field School on the ground worked with trainer Cornelis Stahl in and around teh two of Nafplio, in the historic region of Argolida in Greece.

The Summer School engaged with 21 capacity building cases from across the globe, involving museums, universities, heritage organisations, and architectural firms. Institutions included the Khama III Memorial Museum in Botswana, the Uganda National Museum, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, and the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, as well as international organisations such as UNESCO and the World Monuments Fund. Universities including Addis Ababa University, the University of Cologne, and the University of Lincoln also contributed to the knowledge exchange. These cases reflected a wide spectrum of heritage practice, from community-based hubs to global conservation bodies.

Participants also explored 22 case studies, with 11 notable examples showcasing the breadth of cultural heritage sites and objects. Highlights included the Royal Cemetery at Serowe Hill in Botswana, the Church of Nativity of St. Mary in Ethiopia, a 3D model of a traditional Shona pot in Zimbabwe, Villa Pisani and an ancient Roman aqueduct in Italy, the Naous Roman Temple and the bell tower of Mar Chayna Church in Lebanon, and Beit Hanina’s historic oil press in Palestine.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

The first module introduced Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Over two weeks, participants explored the use of open-source software QGIS to manage and analyse cultural heritage data. They learned how to source and style datasets, georeference manuscript maps, create new spatial data, and apply geoprocessing tools such as buffers and intersections. By the end of the module, each participant had produced a map tailored to their own heritage project, demonstrating their ability to use GIS to present and analyse spatial data.

Photogrammetry

The second module focused on photogrammetry. In a week and a half, participants developed skills in image-based 3D reconstruction, creating orthophotos and point clouds using Agisoft Metashape Professional. Combining photography, computer vision, and GIS, they produced 3D models that will aid in heritage documentation, monitoring, and communication. This workflow allowed participants to cover the full cycle from image acquisition through data processing to model publishing.

3D Documentation 

For those attending in person in Greece, the Summer School expanded into hands-on training with UAVs and terrestrial laser scanning. Participants learned to operate drones for site documentation in line with European regulations and were introduced to different scanning technologies for generating detailed point clouds. Using open-source software such as CloudCompare, they processed their data to create high-quality deliverables, including interactive 3D models and visualisations.

The group also visited six cultural locations in the Peloponnese, where they applied their skills in real-world conditions. These included Moni Metamorfosi and Mycenaean Graves at Asini, Ottoman fountains in Nafplio Old Town, the Old Windmill at Drepano, and the churches of Saint Konstantinos and Profit Elias. Fieldwork at these sites allowed participants to test both photogrammetry and laser scanning methods, and to see how these tools can support heritage documentation, preservation, and public engagement.

By the close of the Summer School, participants had developed a strong foundation in GIS, photogrammetry, and 3D documentation techniques. They left with practical tools to apply in their own contexts, from community-led heritage initiatives to national museums and academic institutions. Just as importantly, they joined a global network of peers committed to safeguarding cultural heritage across continents.

Read more about HERITΛGE’s summer schools here.

*Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Kenya, Italy, Lebanon, Palestine, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. Twelve participants travelled to Tolo, Greece, for a 9-day intensive on-site programme, while others joined remotely.