Discovering archaeological sites - how is it done?
Simple answer - learn to fly.
Whether by light aircraft, hot air balloon, or drone, looking from far above the ground enables patterns to be spotted that you just can't see close to.
Why is this?
Whether by light aircraft, hot air balloon, or drone, looking from far above the ground enables patterns to be spotted that you just can't see close to.
Why is this?
- the shadows cast by slight differences in ground levels in low sunlight can be seen best from a distance
- any ancient holes or ditches that have got filled in over time will hold groundwater. The foundations of buried walls that have been pulled down or fallen down hold less water. Consequently, crops growing on these features will grow taller or shorter
- The same considerations, namely shadows and crop growth differences, will lead to frost marking out 'hidden' features in winter
- Slight differences in soil colour might occur between natural deposits and archaeological ones
- Differences in levels caused by buried features will also affect the way surface water behaves across a site and can produce interesting puddles after heavy rain.