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Historic Aerial Photographic Archives for European Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

David C. Cowley  and
Birger B. Stichelbaut
David C. Cowley
Affiliation:
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), UK
Birger B. Stichelbaut
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Belgium
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Abstract

This article reviews the potential of archives of historic aerial photographs for European archaeology. Their roles in primary site discovery, in monitoring condition and material change, and in understanding landscape development with particular reference to the implementation of the European Landscape Convention are discussed. The major sources are briefly described and their characteristics outlined. The impacts that differing national and regional research traditions and heritage policy have on the use of these archival collections is discussed in the framework of issues of variable accessibility and approaches to ensuring appropriate uses, including identifying limitations.

Cet article examine le potentiel que les archives de photos aériennes historiques réservent pour l'archéologie européenne, et analyse le rôle de ces archives dans la découverte primaire de sites, dans le suivi de l'état et le constat de changements importants ainsi que dans la compréhension du développement des paysages avec une référence particulière à l'exécution de la Convention Européenne du Paysage. Les sources principales avec leurs caractéristiques sont brièvement décrites. L'impact des traditions de recherche nationales et régionales et d'une politique du patrimoine différentes sur l'utilisation de ces collections d'archives est considéré dans le cadre d'une discussion sur l'accessibilité variable et sur les démarches garantissant l'utilisation appropriée, y inclus les limitations identifiantes. Translation by Isabelle Gerges

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet das Potential von Archiven historischer Luftbilder für die europäische Archäologie. Es wird ihre Rolle bei der Neuentdeckung von Fundplätzen, in der Überwachung des Zustandes und der materiellen Veränderung wie auch im Verständnis der Landschaftsentwicklung unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Anwendung der Europäischen Landschaftskonvention diskutiert. Die Hauptquellen werden kurz beschrieben und ihre Charakteristika dargelegt. Weiterhin werden die Einflüsse, die unterschiedliche nationale und regionale Forschungstraditionen und Akzente der Denkmalpflegepolitik auf diese Archive haben, im Rahmen wechselnder Zugänglichkeit und Ansätzen der Sicherstellung einer angemessenen Nutzung, einschließlich der Definition von Begrenzungen, diskutiert. Translation by Heiner Schwarzberg.

Keywords

historic aerial photographslandscapeEuropean landscape conventionaerial reconnaissancesite discoveryaerial archivesphotographies aériennes historiquespaysageConvention du Paysage Européenreconnaissance aériennedécouverte de sitesarchives aériennesHistorische LuftbilderLandschaftEuropäische LandschaftskonventionLufterkundungEntdeckung von FundplätzenLuftbildarchive
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , 2012 , pp. 217 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © European Association of Archaeologists 2012 

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