Aerial Photography: Archaeological Interpretation and Mapping for Research and Heritage Protection

Aerial Photography: Archaeological Interpretation and Mapping for Research and Heritage Protection

Aerial photographs, and the mapping derived from them, should form an intrinsic part of any assessment of the historic environment and a significant proportion of archaeological sites are identified through aerial survey. This course informs historic environment professionals of the potential and practical use of aerial photographs for research and heritage management. This course runs from Wednesday 9 to Thursday 10 July.

Description

Aerial photographs and the mapping derived from them should form an intrinsic part of any assessment of the historic environment and a significant proportion of archaeological sites are identified through aerial survey. The applications of aerial photography range from understanding and recording large archaeological landscapes to the discovery and management of historic monuments.

This course will provide the participants with the skills and knowledge to use aerial photographs and to understand where aerial photography and air photo mapping might be used alongside other investigative techniques in the management of the historic environment. It will also enable the user to get the most out of the air photo collections available to them and to make informed decisions when commissioning work.

The course introduces the main applications of aerial photographs for heritage management (including the strengths and limitations of this source of information). Participants will explore how to use different types of photographs to maximum effect. Participants will investigate the ways in which archaeology shows on aerial photographs and problems of interpretation caused by non-archaeological processes. Practical guidance also will be given on how to produce a map of archaeological features visible on aerial photographs.