(Image: submitted)
A MAN buried in a North Yorkshire churchyard more than 140 years ago has been ‘brought back to life’ through world-leading digital technology.
The speaking avatar of George Lister, one of 154 people whose remains were removed from Fewston churchyard during the development of the Washburn Heritage Centre, was unveiled to members of the centre on October 6.
Created by the award-winning FaceLab team at Liverpool John Moores University, the digital reconstruction uses advanced avatar technology to recreate the appearance and voice of Mr Lister, who was buried in 1882.
The FaceLab team's presentation at the Washburn Heritage Centre (Image: submitted)
The project builds on earlier research into the Fewston Assemblage, a major archaeological and historical study launched after the remains were exhumed in 2009.
As part of that initial work, facial reconstructions of George Lister and Elizabeth Dibb were created from their skulls, funded by the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation.
At the unveiling event, Dr Jessica Lui, project manager at FaceLab, and colleague Thomas Dickinson introduced George’s avatar, allowing visitors to hear him ‘speak’ for the first time.
Local author Steph Shields explained the extensive research undertaken to write the script, ensuring the vocabulary and dialect reflected those used in the late 19th century.
The words were voiced by George’s great-great-great-grandson, Graeme Lister, who spoke about the experience of giving voice to one of his ancestors.
Those attending described being spellbound by the technology and its ability to connect modern audiences with a member of the Fewston Assemblage whose life ended in Victorian times.
The stories uncovered through the project are also featured in Life and Death in the Washburn Valley: The Story of the People of the Fewston Assemblage, which contains biographies of George Lister, Elizabeth Dibb and 20 other individuals researched and written by volunteers.
The Fewston Assemblage research project has revealed a wealth of information about life in the Washburn Valley during the 19th century.
The remains were reburied in September 2016 following years of archaeological analysis and family history research carried out by volunteers and academics.
A second phase of research is now under way, examining daily life in greater detail and documenting the stories of 16 more individuals connected to the assemblage.
The internationally significant project was supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Washburn Heritage Centre celebrates the people, landscape and history of the Washburn Valley through a programme of talks, exhibitions, walks, visits and social events organised by volunteers throughout the year.
There is a tea room within the centre which specialises in homemade cakes and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October and on Sundays in the winter months.
Visit www.washburnvalley.org for more information.