Stonehenge aerial Photos

The first aerial photos of Stonehenge were taken 100 years ago from a tethered balloon. Photo English Heritage

English history is celebrating the centenary associated with very first aerial pictures of Stonehenge with a touring exhibition orifice at Neolithic site.

Dozens of vintage and modern-day pictures will inform the story for the very first pictures and explore the world of aerial photography in Victorian, Edwardian and wartime Britain, and certainly will glance at how they have actually aided our comprehension of 6, 000 many years of British record and pre-history.

“Aerial photography is best in assisting united states comprehend the peoples use and growth of the landscape around Stonehenge, ” stated Dave Batchelor, primary Stonehenge archaeologist at English history.

Stonehenge has-been photographed through the environment often times since the first photographs in 1906. Photo English Heritage

“This detailed comprehension can be used each day within handling of the Stonehenge World history website and contributes to the enjoyment of many a large number of site visitors every year.”

Lieutenant Phillip Henry Sharpe of this Royal Engineers’ Balloon part took the first three aerial pictures for the popular web site from a tethered balloon in 1906. He had been situated in the Sappers’ Balloon part located one mile from Stonehenge, where army ballooning and fixed-wing aviation developed prior to the Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF) had been established in 1912.

Following the pictures were published inside log associated with the community of Antiquaries in 1907 archaeologists slowly stumbled on realize the worthiness of aerial photography as an integral process to discover, record and interpret traces of history.

Aerial photography plays a significant part in modern archaeology. Picture English Heritage

“Today aerial survey is the single important device for the breakthrough of archaeological websites inside country, ” said Pete Horne, Head of Aerial study and research at English history.

Every year a huge selection of brand-new web sites are found through the English history nationwide Mapping Programme, ranging from Neolithic long barrows to Roman villas, medieval villages and World War Two defences.

“Experts study brand-new pictures in addition to old ones, making use of explanation, mapping and evaluation skills to draw out of the valuable information they have, ” added Pete. “As a direct result their particular study, we learn more towards past and gain a larger understanding of the changes that have taken place.”