Roman Urban Survey: The Mapping and Monitoring of Complex Settlement Sites with Active Aerial Photography

Abstract

In this chapter we focus on the methodology for approaching large and complex sites by way of active aerial photography survey. The example of abandoned Roman town sites is used to present aspects of best practice when dealing with the survey strategy, discovery, mapping and monitoring of such settlement sites. Examples from the Radio- Past project, as well as from other long standing research projects, are being used to illustrate some of the potential of this method and to stress the need for integration with other techniques. Some issues are mentioned regarding restrictions in the widespread application of oblique aerial photography for studying such sites, while new developments regarding aerial photography from low-altitude platforms are placed in their wider research context, as well as in the framework of future heritage management.