A ground-breaking resource, which uses artworks dating back to the late 18th century as a tool to help manage risks to Devon’s coastal heritage, has just been published.
The CHeRISH Project, commissioned by Historic England and written by coastal scientist and art historian Professor Robin McInnes of Coastal & Geotechnical Services, contrasts 300 images and art from as early as 1770 with modern photographs.
A timescale of up to 250 years allows assessments to be made of changes in morphology, land-use and development long before the days of photographs. The images can also improve our understanding of long-term coastal change and the resulting risks to heritage assets along parts of the coastline of south-west England.
A series of illustrated lectures are being planned at suitable locations over the coming months.