Overview

This book was inspired by a centenary marking the first aerial photographs of an archaeological monument in Britain. Those photographs are inevitably of Stonehenge. How a single balloon flight and the resulting photographs fit into the context of the history of aerial photography is revealed in this fascinating new book. The main emphasis is on how aerial photography came to be such an important tool for archaeologists over the last 100 years. However, the beginnings and development of aerial photography within military and civilian contexts are explored in depth, especially the contribution of pioneering aeronauts and aviators such as Samuel Cody who designed man-lifting kites and J L B Templer who was crucial to the development of military ballooning. During the First World War the true potential of aerial photography as a reconnaissance technique was realised. The Second World War saw even greater resources invested in aerial photography and the training of skilled specialist staff to interpret the millions of photographs taken from aircraft. Nevertheless, after the First World War it was realised how something that had developed within the context of warfare could serve non-military uses, including archaeology. Between the wars, aerial photography had a considerable impact on our understanding of the past, particularly once the significance and extent of cropmarks became apparent – the airborne camera could record sites and landscapes that were often invisible from the ground. As examples of recent and current archaeological work are explored, it becomes apparent just how far we have progressed in the use of aerial photography to record and interpret past landscapes. The book includes nearly 200 colour and black and white photographs, ranging from images of early balloon exploits and intriguing photographs from the Boer War to reconnaissance views from the World Wars and modern aerial shots of archaeological sites.

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9781848020368

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Reviews

'an intensely detailed, passionate and impressive account' -- Toby Driver Archaeological Journal vol.168 '...this is a valuable book. More than that, it is accessible and rich in quotes and anecdotes' -- J.A.Baird Cambridge Archaeological Journal 20121001 'the reader is rewarded with some astounding images, archival treasures and transcripts' -- Toby Driver Archaeological Journal, vol. 168

'...this is a valuable book. More than that, it is accessible and rich in quotes and anecdotes' Cambridge Archaeological Journal 20121001 'For archaeologists, this is a book that stimulates thoughts about the value and potential of aerial photography - after reading it, you feel things are still underestimated. But its mix of flying history, archaeology and anecdote should give it wider appeal, making a strong case for the continuing pursuit of the past from the air' 'It is rare these days to see an authoritative archaeological book written with wit and charm. Martyn Barber has clearly enjoyed researching and writing this splendid book and has left us with an intensely detailed, passionate and impressive account' 'It is very comprehensive, not only on the history of the subject but also on technical aspects and elements of interpretation'

Author Information

Martyn Barber is a Senior Investigator, Aerial Survey & Investigation at English Heritage. He is the author of Bronze and the Bronze Age (2003), and co-author of The Neolithic Flint Mines of England (1999) and The Creation of Monuments (2001).

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