Specialist training courses and workshops

Aerial Survey and Investigation run a number of specialist training courses and workshops aimed at both professionals and interested amateurs. The content of our courses takes the student through the whole process of aerial archaeology from taking photographs (in reality or virtually using video) to interpretation and synthesis of the information on aerial phohotgraphs.

Students are introduced to a range of archaeological features from the Neolithic to the 20th century which can be seen on aerial photographs as earthworks and stonework as well as sub-surface features visible as cropmarks. They are taught how to distinguish non-archaeological marks such as those caused by geology, agriculture and photo blemishes. The uses of aerial photographs for landscape and site based archaeological survey, conservation and architectural recording are covered. Students also learn the uses of aerial photographs for different kinds of thematic archaeological research such as industrial, coastal and military landscapes. They also learn how to map and to analyse multi-period archaeological landscapes. The aim of our courses is to provide an enjoyable and informative experience for our students and is geared, according to the needs of the participants, so that they can go away and use aerial photographs for their own projects, research or work.

There is a strong emphasis on practical work in our courses and students participate in a wide range of interpretation exercises, site transcription and landscape analysis using aerial photographs and NMP maps. Annual courses are run for the general public and professionals at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education as well as for students at a number of universities such as Bristol, Sheffield and York.

Recent and forthcoming outreach courses and events include:

The images used on this page are copyright English Heritage unless specified otherwise. For further details of any photographs or other images and for copies of these, or the plans and reports related to the project please contact the NMR English Heritage's public archive.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us at: AerialSurvey@english-heritage.org.uk.