Archeologist’s Latest Tool: Drones

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and all their forms – drones, multi-rotors, and quad-copters – has exploded in recent years. This explosive growth, coupled with increased affordability, has transformed the way industries approach business.

The film and photography industry are such an example; drone technology now provides access to views that were previously the domain of helicopters and fixed wings.

The advantages of drone-based imaging are many, and unmanned aircraft are fast becoming an indispensable tool to various industry professionals, including archaeologists. Drones offer archaeologists the ability to survey existing and future excavation sites in detail as well as provide a different perspective to workers on the ground.

Transforming the Science of Archeology 

By using UAVs for surveying, archaeologists capture a wider view of an entire site and can also identify possible areas of interest. While drone use is especially helpful before the start of an excavation, some professionals in the field are now using them during digs.

One reason drones have become a crucial piece of equipment in archeology is their ability to provide low altitude shots, close ups, wide angles, and oblique shots. Archaeologists have long employed balloons and kites fitted with cameras to get aerial shots of the site. But now drones, such as DJI’s Phantom and the Yuneec Typhoon, capture these same shots extremely well and deploy quickly.

Other benefits of drone use in archeology include the ability to fly in most weather conditions, something that is not always possible with balloons or kites. Drones are also capable of reaching less accessible areas such as wooded areas or the interior of caves.

Plus, these vehicles can capture/record detailed two and three dimensional data of large areas that would otherwise require a lot of time and effort when done by people on the ground.

Aside from the limitations caused by battery life, drone system operating costs are negligible once they are up and running.

In addition to flying stability, drones appeal to archeologists because of their relative affordability. Additionally, archeologists also cite the fact that the machines are lightweight and easy to transport. Plus, their size and discrete nature is perfectly suited for sites that receive visitors.

The Future of Drone Use in Archeology

The majority of archaeologists employing multi-rotors in the field appreciate that they are relatively easy to fly and operate and come ready to use out of the box.

This ease of use means that many archeologists are fast becoming comfortable piloting these crafts – taking off, landing, and taking pictures with ease. Other archaeologists prefer to hire qualified drone pilots. The scope and difficulty of each particular project usually determines if a professional operator is needed.

In terms of future trends, most industries like archeology will continue to benefit from advances in drone technology that help extend flight durations. Continued advances in automation will also be a significant factor as well as improvements to imaging technology.

The ability to use imaging data to recreate archeology sites as 3D models or digital terrain is an indispensable part of any archeologists work and yet more is on the way.

For example, drone-mounted systems such as ground penetration radar would be a major advance not only for surveying known locations but for finding new and, as yet, undiscovered sites of historical importance.

The future is bright

While most archeologists and academic researchers using drones are already familiar with flying the UAV’s, there is still a place for commercial drone services to thrive within this industry. It is clear that drone use has already transformed archeology work, and future trends point to the science’s increased reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles.