Aerofotografija Lietuvos archeologijoje

LTAerofotografija yra seniausias nedestrukcinis archeologinių tyrimų metodas, naudojamas nuo XX a. pradžios. Jis paremtas nežymių reljefo, grunto ir augalijos pokyčių fiksavimu ir interpretavimu. Lietuvoje šis metodas pradėtas taikyti XX a. ketvirtame dešimtmetyje, o intensyviau naudoti pradėtas tik XX a. paskutiniame dešimtmetyje. Perspektyviausios tolesnės aerofotografijos raidos kryptys Lietuvoje yra geležies amžiaus gyvenviečių vietų paieškos bei archeologinių objektų ir pačių archeologinių tyrimų fiksavimas. Reikšminiai žodžiai: aerofotografija, archeologija, žymuo, Lietuva, dronas.

ENAerial photography is the oldest nondestructive field method that has been used for surveying archaeological heritage. It is based on the impact that archaeological layers and features buried underground have on the ground level, as well as vegetation and conditions of microclimate. The emergence of aerial photography was the direct result of technological progress brought about by the invention of aeroplanes and cameras. The foundation for aerial photography was first laid in France, where a hot-air balloon was lifted off the ground at the end of the 18th century. By the first half of the 19th century, the very first photographed image had been produced on a plate. Following these achievements, the French have also produced the first aerial photograph. Later inventions were made in the United States of America, including the photographic film, aeroplanes, colour photographs, and the helicopter. Most recent inventions, such as satellites, drones and digital photographs, have greatly expanded the possibilities in aerial photography. In 1899, the first aerial photograph of archaeological remains was taken in Rome, Italy; whereas, the first photograph that had also been published was taken in 1906: the image featured Stonehenge in England and included a view of buried features. During the interwar period, aerial photographs began to be taken from aeroplanes, which led to a considerable number of discoveries in archaeology. After the Second world war had passed, intensive development in aerial photography began to take place and was seen to accelerate from the 1960s to the 2000s, particularly in the socialist countries of central and eastern Europe.The experience of capturing images of archaeological remains from the air acquired over more than a century has allowed identification of the most beneficial applications of aerial photography. These include: survey, interpretation, recording, mapping, and visualisation. A common principle shared by the listed methods when employing aerial photography is the wide coverage of an archaeological site, meaning that the site can be recorded together with its immediate surroundings. Important tasks to be fulfilled during the creation of aerial images include marking the exact date when the photograph was taken and the orientation of the image in terms of cardinal directions. In archaeology, aerial photography has been generally employed in the search for new archaeological sites. Unknown sites are usually detected by considering differences in the colour of the soil that had been caused by five possible factors known as marks. [...].