Interpretation of an historical site (b)

Interpretation of an historical site – reconstruction drawings

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/2008-09/history/blaenavon/flash/world-of-work/eng/wow_d1.html

What evidence can be used to create a reconstruction drawing?

Look at the colour reconstruction drawing of Blaenavon Ironworks created for Cadw.  Discuss how useful such images are to help us understand historical sites and visualise the past.

Michael Blackmore created the drawing in 2002.  How do you think the artist went about creating this drawing? What do you think the artist used to help him decide what to include in this picture?

Think about the evidence you have seen. Would the artist need to investigate the site and look for evidence? What type of evidence do you think the artist would have found most useful? Would he have used the lithograph from 1801? Is everything in the drawing a true record of what happened in the ironworks in around 1863?

If you were to create a reconstruction drawing of an historical site what evidence would you use to create your image?