This buried Iron Age settlement site, in the Valley of the River Ouse in Bedfordshire, shows as marks in growing crops. It is not visible to the observer on the ground. Photo interpretation and accurate mapping in advance of planning application for gravel extraction allowed its precise location and economical evaluation to comply with the requirements of the County Planning Department Archaeological Service. Mapping of entire archaeological landscapes (link here to the landscape shown on the Planning Inquiry page) from air photos allows comparison between sites in the same region, and nationally, to assess their importance and archaeological significance. Air photo Interpretation provides a valuable and cost saving preliminary assessment of any landscape prior to further, ground based, archaeological investigations.

Aerial photos reveal archaeological remains

Traces of past landuse, such as settlements, industries, burial sites, pits and field systems show clearly on air photos. This is often the only way these features can be recorded. When the environmental conditions are favourable, buried features such as ditches, walls and pits cause the crops to grow differently over their locations. These 'crop marks' show clearly in the photo (left) as dark green lines in the lighter coloured crop. Shadows cast by upstanding earthworks, and the colour differences in topsoils also reveal the position and shape of archaeological sites.

A skilled aerial photographic interpreter can differentiate archaeological and natural features, and rectify the features to an Ordnance Survey map base. This interpretation and mapping is used directly by our clients as an accurate guide to locate trenches for evaluation and areas for further survey.

Air Photo Services Ltd supplies mapping to clients in a variety of digital and paper-based formats.