Besides providing a cool view of archaeology in action, aerial photography of excavations and, especially, potential excavation sites documents surface anomalies (soil coloration, vegetation patterns, subtle changes in elevation, etc.) indicative of underground structures. Combination of data from ground surveys, GPS analysis, aerial photography, and geophysical surveys (including surveys of magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity) into a detailed super map of relevant sites provides the modern archaeologist with a wealth of information–so much that new excavations can be pinpointed with high accuracy and precision, allowing efficient use of time and money. In a seminar presented to Barcelona students, staff, and UP volunteers participating in the 2014 Pollèntia excavations, German geophysicist Cornelius Meyer (Eastern Atlas GmbH & Co.) provided numerous examples of such super mapping of sites across Europe. Mayer described the advanced geophysical mapping described above as a movement from the older process of surveying archaeological features to mapping of an archaeological landscape.
In Summer 2014, the UP team adds its contribution to the mapping of the Pollèntia site in Mallorca through aerial photography and videography using cameras mounted to a balloon and a quadcopter drone. Leader for the aerial survey is Fr. Ron Wasowski, CSC, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Portland.
The balloon survey is accomplished at low altitudes using a helium balloon controlled by four handlers. This photography is best suited to relatively flat ground with few trees and obstructions. The complementary drone survey requires less person power (an operator and a spotter) and allows survey of more complicated terrain. The UP copter drone can easily fly at three times tree height in Ca’n Fanals, the old farm site containing the Roman necropolis, and can be maneuvered over ruins and excavations.
Today, July 15, Fr. Ron and crew are conducting a balloon photo survey of Ca’n Copido, the old farm site north of the necropolis in Ca’n Fanals, as well as a limited survey of Ca’n Fanals itself–complicated by the number of olive trees on that old farm site. Tomorrow, the UP photo-surveyors will survey the entire grad of Ca’n Fanals using the drone. On Thursday, Fr. Ron and his drone head to the Forum to record the current excavations by the University of Barcelona group.
