English Heritage (EH) has revealed that it is working in conjunction with electronics giant Sony to trial new technology said to have the potential to increase learning at its Wroxeter Roman City site in the West Midlands.

In the long term, if the project proves viable, it could be extended to further sites throughout the country. The trial comes after an approach from Sony with particular reference to its PSP (PlayStation Portable) technology. The company has trailed the units, content and impact in schools, but this will be the first time it has attempted to overcome the problems presented by operating on a heritage site and incorporating the technology into a site like Wroxeter.

Using features such as semacodes (similar to barcodes), video, live broadcast, streaming, recording and photography, the PSP embraces fully interactive learning on a gaming platform. In future users will be able to drive the content, live documentaries will be able to be filmed and beamed back to schools, and experts from EH will be able to beam talks and tours to schools and onsite users. Sony sees walls being able to be re-built and layers of ground removed to reveal hidden archaeology, while historical characters and the sights and sounds of EH properties in their heyday should be able to be recreated with full audio, video, sign and text.

2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the re-discovery of Wroxeter Roman City, with workmen commencing the excavation of the site's baths complex in February 1859.