'Touching History' is an applied heritage conservation project I am conducting as a researcher. This initiative forms the core of my Master’s dissertation, and I am seeking financial support to complete the vital fabrication and distribution phases of this research.
Rock art represents one of the most abundant and vital sources of indigenous history in Africa. Whilst South Africa fiercely protects these sites as national heritage, their remote and rugged locations, combined with their strictly visual nature, render them entirely inaccessible to individuals with physical disabilities and the visually impaired. Consequently, an entire demographic is structurally excluded from experiencing, studying, and enjoying their own joint cultural heritage.
To address this inequity, my research aims to recreate these indigenous artworks using non-invasive 3D scanning and tactile digital fabrication. By capturing precise topographical data from cave walls without any physical contact, I am developing high-fidelity, 3D-printed tactile panels. This methodology ensures that the historical integrity of the original sites is meticulously maintained, whilst transforming a purely visual medium into a universally accessible educational tool. Furthermore, this initiative is carried out in cooperation with Blind SA.
The primary objective of this project is to make these tactile panels available in museums, entirely free of charge, ensuring that visually impaired individuals, disabled persons, and indigenous communities can actively engage with their heritage. The social and educational impact of this work is already gaining significant traction.
Whilst the conceptual framework, digital methodology, and initial pilot testing are firmly established, I currently lack the funds required to finalise the work I have started. Financial support is essential to scale the field scanning operations, procure the necessary materials for the 3D printing and fabrication of the panels, and facilitate their widespread installation in accessible public spaces.
Initial prototyping yielded small-scale replicas; however, evaluation has shown that these lack the essential topographical depth and contextual texture of the original rock surfaces. Furthermore, the reduced scale severely impedes spatial and formal recognition for visually impaired individuals. To address this, my research indicates that it is imperative to scale up the fabrication process and engineer highly detailed panels that are explicitly designed to meet the established thresholds for haptic engagement and tactile recognition.
Funding this project will not only facilitate the completion of my Master's research but will also create a permanent, physical backup of our rock art, preserving vital spatial and textural data against ongoing environmental degradation for future generations.
I have been meticulously developing this methodology and conducting the foundational research for this project since 2022, refining the transition from non-invasive 3D scans to haptic surfaces. Please note that the accompanying images, which detail the developmental replicas and cave wall topographies, are entirely my own intellectual property and strictly represent my ongoing academic fieldwork.
