Initial LIDAR Findings!

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Ancient Landscapes |

We now have some early results back from the LIDAR survey.  We chose a couple of small areas within our 12 sq km to test the quality of the data we were getting back and we have been thrilled with the results.  Here is an example.

The image shows an area south of Winsley. The land slopes down towards the River Avon – the curving feature bottom left is the Kennet & Avon canal. We knew from fieldwork that the remains of an ancient field-system survived in this area, largely obscured by trees. The layout of these fields is now clear – long substantial banks or ‘lynchets’ running NW-SE, diagonally across the test area, with the minor banks that divide the fields showing faintly, at right-angles to the main lynchets. Clearly the LIDAR laser pulses have got through the tree cover under winter conditions (flight was on 11th January) and successfully modelled the ground surface.

 

The map to the left shows the same area (south of Winsley) as the image above.

You can click the image and the map to see a larger version.

Images copyright of Bradford on Avon Museum.  The LIDAR survey for the Ancient Landscapes project was conducted by the Environment Agency.

Read our earlier blog post to find out more about LIDAR.

 

Get involved!

There are many ways to get involved with the project: looking at aerial photographs, field walking, helping to plot the findings on maps, to name but a few.  For those interested in helping with the project, we will also be running training sessions on reading aerial photographs, identifying earthworks, and other skills.

If you are interested in getting involved with this exciting project, please contact Roy Canham on 01225 866748 or at roycanham@btinternet.com.

If you’re not sure what you could do to help, read our How To Get Involved blog post.

If you aren’t able to help, but you want to keep up to date, then please follow our blog.  We’ll be holding public talks and other events later in the year, so look out for announcements here.

Click for details of our first Public Talk to be held on Wednesday 24th April at 7:30pm in Bradford on Avon Library.