West Lothian Archaeological Trust

Kite aerial photo of Cairnpapple Hill: Henge and cairn, West Lothian: http://www.armadale.org.uk/cairnpapple.htm
A near infra-red kite aerial photo outlining the foundations of a building at Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire: http://www.armadale.org.uk/rufford.htm
Near ultra-violet kite aerial photo of the levelled former Etna Brickworks site, Armadale, West Lothian.

The West Lothian Archaeological Trust was formed on 19 April 2012 and registered as Scottish Charity[1] No. SC043118 on 26 April 2012, having been known informally, since 2007, as West Lothian (Aerial) Archaeology. The Trust also has an interest in sites in England, especially Gloucestershire, where it is known as Stroud Aerial Archaeology.

In May 2013, the Trust was approved as an Associated Partner.[2] of ArcheoLandscapes Europe (ArcLand), part of the European Union's Culture Programme, to represent its area of expertise. Also in May, the Trust launched The Scottish National Aerial Photography Scheme (SNAPS)[3]

In 2016, the Trust became a member of the successor to ArcLand Europe, ArcLand International.

Goals of the Trust

The aims of the Charitable Trust, as officially registered, are for 'the advancement of heritage and science' by[4]

Work of the Trust

West Lothian Archaeology specialises in kite aerial photography (KAP) from the near ultra-violet through to the near[5] and thermal infrared[6][7] (Thermography). KAP is one of many techniques of aerial archaeology and was first used in an archaeological context by Henry Wellcome over 100 years ago. For a detailed consideration of kite aerial photography in the near-UV and near-IR, see the online publications of Geert Verhoeven which are listed in the external links below. On-site aerial photography complements the non-invasive methods of geophysical survey (archaeology) and images can be used to create virtual 3D models and animations.[8]

Kite aerial photography is a simple, cheap, technique. A Camera, or phone, is suspended on a kite line about 20m from the kite, on either a Picavet suspension (see Kite aerial photography) or using a simple selfie stick. Details are given in the Scottish National Aerial Photography Scheme reference 3.

The work of the Trust is published on its Community and Heritage Website[9] of Armadale, West Lothian and on its Kite Aerial Remote Sensing Facebook page[10]

The Trust maintains a register of archaeological/heritage kite aerial photographers in the UK and Ireland.[11]

Kite aerial thermogram revealing features on/under a grassed playing field. The relative roles played by thermal inertia, differential transpiration and evaporation are unknown.
Kite aerial photograph of the multivallate ringfort at Rathrar, Co Roscommon, Ireland.

References

  1. ↑ "Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator". Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  2. ↑ "ArchaeoLandscapes Europe". Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  3. ↑ "The Scottish National Aerial Photography Scheme". Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  4. ↑ "West Lothian Heritage: Newsletter of West Lothian Heritage Services". West Lothian Council. Autumn 2012. p. 8.
  5. ↑ "Links: Other IR / UV KAPers". Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  6. ↑ Kite Aerial Thermography, International Society for Archaeological Prospection, Newsletter, 29, 9-10, November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Thermal prospecting on vegetation" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  8. ↑ "Low Altitude Aerial Photography and Visualisation of Heritage". Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  9. ↑ "Armadale Community and Heritage Website". Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  10. ↑ "Kite Aerial Remote Sensing".
  11. ↑ "The Register of Kite Aerial Photographers and Remote Sensing Specialists (UK & Ireland)".
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