2nd International Conference of Aerial Archaeology: From Aerostats to Drones: Aerial Imagery in Archaeology
3-5 February 2016, Belgian Academy – Rome
Key-note talk
Expanding the Boundaries of Aerial Archaeology: from Balloons to Drones
In addition to traditional platforms for low-level sensing (balloons, kites, etc.), in the last decade new and more complex automated systems (UAVs) have become available. The success and market expansion of these platforms has been a driving force for the development of active and passive sensors specifically designed for UAVs. In the last few years archaeologists have started testing both platforms and sensors, particularly for the following applications: 3D documentation of archaeological excavations; 3D survey of monuments and historic buildings; survey of archaeological sites and landscapes; exploratory aerial survey; and the archaeological survey of woodland areas. The scale of these applications have ranged from site-based to landscapes-based (approximately up to 10 km2 in extent). The role of such platforms in the archaeological survey (excavations and landscapes) and in diagnostics is of great interest and is inexorably growing.
