If you go down to the community excavation today you’re sure of a big surprise- strange bar codes are popping up all around the site!
These two-dimensional bar codes are being pioneered by the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, who are using this new mobile phone technology as part of their outreach initiative at the Oystermouth Castle community excavation. The codes provide the public with location-specific web-hosted audio guides and links so that visitors can view current finds and hear current audio news, and it is hoped in the future, video footage of the excavation.
The bar codes, known as QR codes – QR stands for “Quick Response” – are common in Japan, where they are currently the most popular type of two-dimensional codes. Most current Japanese mobile phones can read this code with their camera. QR Codes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards or just about any object that users might need information about.
How does it work?
Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can scan the image of the QR Code causing the phone’s browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL.
For more information on QR codes visit Wikipedia
If your phone does not possess a QR reader there are numerous free readers to download on the web.
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- QR code located next to trench 3
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- QR code linked to website
