Virtual Reality Learning Lab

We explore the possiblities of VR as a tool for learning

Limescoop Brittenburg

A Roman fortress reappears through virtual binoculars. Visit Katwijk and look back in time.

Limescoop fort Brittenburg

The Limescoop (/liməˈskoːp/) are virtual reality binoculars that visualize the Roman fort Brittenburg. These virtual binoculars were developed on behalf of the Werkgroep Romeinen Katwijk (working group Romans Katwijk) by VR Learning Lab, 100%FAT and Xinas with advice from archaeologist and publicist Tom Buijtendorp.

Buitensluis Katwijk, 2022

Partners

VR Learning Lab | Project management; archaeological accountability; front-end software, 3D modeling and animations

100%FAT | Hardware, electronics and back-end software

Xinas | Development of 3D model fort Brittenburg

Tom Buijtendorp | Advice on the reconstruction of Fort Brittenburg

Client & financing

The client is Fons Verheijen, on behalf of the Werkgroep Romeinen Katwijk (working group Romans Katwijk) of the Erfgoed Platform Katwijk (Heritage Platform Katwijk). The working group has presented nine plans around the representation of the Limes and the Romans in Katwijk. The first realization is the Limescoop.

The project was financed by the ArchiScienza Foundation and the province of South Holland.

Romans in Katwijk

This Limescoop takes you back to the fourth century AD, when there was a Roman fort at the outflow of the Rhine near Katwijk. On the mainland, this fortress, the Brittenburg, formed the western end of the 3,500 km long Limes, the northern border and defense zone of the Roman Empire.

Today, the Brittenburg has disappeared – partly demolished and partly washed away – but with the Limescoop you can view the fort again, including the inhabitants of the fort and the landscape of that time. This way, the Romans are visible again in Katwijk and we do justice to the World Heritage status that the Limes has received.

This Limescoop takes you back to the fourth century AD, when there was a Roman fort at the outflow of the Rhine near Katwijk. On the mainland, this fortress, the Brittenburg, formed the western end of the 3,500 km long Limes, the northern border and defense zone of the Roman Empire.

Today, the Brittenburg has disappeared – partly demolished and partly washed away – but with the Limescoop you can view the fort again, including the inhabitants of the fort and the landscape of that time. This way, the Romans are visible again in Katwijk and we do justice to the World Heritage status that the Limes has received.

Digital reconstruction of the Brittenburg and the nollen landscape

Based on the investigation of the sources and the archaeological reconstruction by Tom Buijtendorp, and the visual translation including perspective, figures and landscape by Aiace Pisaroni, both the fort and the original environment could be virtually recreated. In the fourth century, the fort stood in a nollenlandschap (hummock landscape): the old low rolling dunes overgrown with grass, herbs and shrubs. The 3D model of Fort Brittenburg was created by Rob Westra of VizVis and Xinas. Daan Hobbel and intern Stephan Houwaart from VR Learning Lab focused on the entire front-end software including the 3D environment and animations. The realistic day and night cycle, varying animations and the ability to look around and zoom yourself make every viewing experience unique.

Virtual binoculars

The creative engineers at 100%FAT developed the unique hardware (design), electronics and software back-end of these binoculars. This new design (suitable for virtual reality) is based on their existing augmented reality binoculars; the FAT Scope. This new variant is also suitable for installation outside and in public spaces.

Short history of the Brittenburg

The Rhine forms a long and natural border. That is why Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) chose to make the Old Rhine the northern border of the Roman Empire, after his predecessor Caligula (37 -41 AD) had already visited it.

At the end of the 3rd century, most Romans left the area around the Brittenburg. The Roman Empire had to deal with a political and economic crisis and pandemics. You can imagine that the security at the border was weaker during that period. Some forts were abandoned and fell into disrepair. The village surrounding the Brittenburg and other buildings near the fort were destroyed. During this time other peoples were able to settle in the area.

The Brittenburg was rapidly renovated and renovated in the fourth century. The renovated fort was a lot narrower. The reconstruction of the fortress would fit very well into the building campaign of Emperor Valentinian (364 – 375 AD). Valentinian wanted to strengthen the border again in a short time. According to historian Ammianus, two generals were even fired because they did not build fast enough! The hasty rebuilding of the fortress may explain the reuse of the original gate – despite it being in a corner due to the new size of the fortress – and the fact that the new walls were not given any intermediate towers.

The Brittenburg may have been occupied by local mercenaries in the fourth century. The area was within the Roman sphere of influence, but in the course of the fourth century the majority of the population consisted of Franks. After several raids they were allowed to settle here in exchange for military services.

In this (Dutch) video from the AWN, Tom Buijtendorp tells more about the history of Fort Brittenburg.

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Archeological basis

For this project, the state of the Brittenburg and its surroundings have been digitally reconstructed as they were in the 4th century. We base ourselves on the latest research, conducted by Tom Buijtendorp and published in 2018 in the book Brittenburg: Verdronken hoeksteen van het Romeinse Rijk (Brittenburg: Drowned Cornerstone of the Roman Empire), and the additions to this with color scheme, figures and landscape by Aiace Pisaroni. We have visualized the state of the fortress and its surroundings in the fourth century, because ruins of this later version of the fortress have been described more extensively in history.

Buijtendorp and Pisaroni have based their findings on scientific analysis, historical sources and comparable archaeological remains. There are hardly any archaeological remains of the fort. The fortress was drowned due to coastal erosion and a risen sea level. Moreover, the ruins have been reused as building materials by the local population over the centuries. For example, the tuff stones of the Brittenburg may have been reused around the year 1000 for the construction of the famous Burcht in Leiden! Its tuff stone cladding corresponds to Roman wallwork.

Over the centuries, various ‘detectives’ have investigated the Brittenburg. Buijtendorp has re-examined sources that had previously been discarded and demonstrated that we can take them seriously. For example, the fact that the inhabitants of Katwijk used to refer to sea side (which is to the west of Katwijk) as the north has previously caused quite a bit of confusion. Additional maritime research was conducted in 2018 with Ghent University and the Flemish Marine Institute (VLIZ), and logistical assistance from the Dutch archeology association AWN.

In this video from the AWN you will see a report about the investigation into the location of Brittenburg. Do you want to know the whole story? Then read the book about the Brittenburg by Tom Buijtendorp.

Play Video