Six Views Of Each Square Kilometre

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 in Ancient Landscapes |

One of our project team, Ritchie Brown, has developed some really superb methods for handling the Lidar data. Using a very complex Geographical Information System (GIS) called GRASS, he has produced high quality image files which reveal the surface detail in superb quality.

Click the images below to view larger versions

We need these images to plot all the landscape archaeology brought to light by the Lidar survey. An advantage of working with digital data is that we are not dependent on sunlight as in aerial photography. We can vary the light source by azimuth (compass bearing) and elevation (height in the sky) and we can throw in vertical exaggeration to enhance our view of low profile features.

Using these controls, Ritchie has produced six ‘views’ for each kilometre square of Lidar data. This gives those doing the plotting the very best chance of getting all the archaeology onto the final plan. See the two images of a field near Little Ashley where a series of earthworks change considerably as the light angle is varied. The square feature near the top is a reservoir standing about 6 metres high, and you can use the highlight and shadows around this to work out what’s going on!

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 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 throughout the year, so look out for announcements here.