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A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology Martyn Barber

A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology By Martyn Barber

A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology by Martyn Barber


£19.00
Condition - Very Good
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Summary

This book was inspired by a centenary marking the first aerial photographs of an archaeological monument in Britain. How a single balloon flight and the resulting photographs fit into the context of the history of aerial photography is revealed in this fascinating new book.

A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology Summary

A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology: Mata Hari's glass eye and other stories by Martyn Barber

This book was inspired by a centenary marking the first aerial photographs of an archaeological monument in Britain. Those photographs are inevitably of Stonehenge.

How a single balloon flight and the resulting photographs fit into the context of the history of aerial photography is revealed in this fascinating new book. The main emphasis is on how aerial photography came to be such an important tool for archaeologists over the last 100 years. However, the beginnings and development of aerial photography within military and civilian contexts are explored in depth, especially the contribution of pioneering aeronauts and aviators such as Samuel Cody who designed man-lifting kites and J L B Templer who was crucial to the development of military ballooning.

During the First World War the true potential of aerial photography as a reconnaissance technique was realised. The Second World War saw even greater resources invested in aerial photography and the training of skilled specialist staff to interpret the millions of photographs taken from aircraft. Nevertheless, after the First World War it was realised how something that had developed within the context of warfare could serve non-military uses, including archaeology.

Between the wars, aerial photography had a considerable impact on our understanding of the past, particularly once the significance and extent of cropmarks became apparent - the airborne camera could record sites and landscapes that were often invisible from the ground. As examples of recent and current archaeological work are explored, it becomes apparent just how far we have progressed in the use of aerial photography to record and interpret past landscapes.

The book includes nearly 200 colour and black and white photographs, ranging from images of early balloon exploits and intriguing photographs from the Boer War to reconnaissance views from the World Wars and modern aerial shots of archaeological sites.

A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology Reviews

'It is rare these days to see an authoritative archaeological book written with wit and charm. Martyn Barber has clearly enjoyed researching and writing this splendid book and has left us with an intensely detailed, passionate and impressive account'
'well-researched, informative and thoroughly entertaining'
'It is very comprehensive, not only on the history of the subject but also on technical aspects and elements of interpretation'
'For archaeologists, this is a book that stimulates thoughts about the value and potential of aerial photography - after reading it, you feel things are still underestimated. But its mix of flying history, archaeology and anecdote should give it wider appeal, making a strong case for the continuing pursuit of the past from the air'

About Martyn Barber

Martyn Barber is a Senior Investigator, Aerial Survey & Investigation at English Heritage. He is the author of Bronze and the Bronze Age (2003), and co-author of The Neolithic Flint Mines of England (1999) and The Creation of Monuments (2001).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Picture Credits

1. `...summer scenes of fairy-land...': Archaeology and the aerial view

2. `...interesting as curiosities...': The Stonehenge photographs and the Royal Engineers

3. `Quick! The Kodak!': Victorian and Edwardian aeronauts and aerial photographers

4. `...a diary of German doings': Aerial photography and the First World War

5. `...the rough edges disappear': The first archaeological discoveries from the air

6. `...the allurement of strangeness': Aerial archaeology takes off

7. `an easy...war of women's work': Air photo intelligence and the Second World War

8. `The endless Variety of Objects': Aerial photography into the 21st century

Notes

Further information and bibliography

Index

Additional information

GOR006789088
9781848020368
1848020368
A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology: Mata Hari's glass eye and other stories by Martyn Barber
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Historic England
20111031
304
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - A History of Aerial Photography and Archaeology