Eye in the Sky Will Provide Fresh View of Amphitheatre

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The ballon has just undertaken it's survey (7 May) - here are some picture of the UAV in action.

NB All times and dates are subject to the weather - high winds, poor visibility or other adverse conditions will almost certainly result in the delay of the survey.

A balloon carrying hi-tech camera equipment will be floating in the sky above Chester Amphitheatre later this week as archaeologists – assisted by Stewart Ainsworth from TV’s Time Team - try to unlock the secrets of the site.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is one of the various techniques being used by English Heritage and Chester City Council to increase understanding of this internationally important heritage site as part of a three year partnership project.

A photograph of Yorkminster Cathedral using the same UAV as the one to be used at the amphitheatre - 
A photograph of Castle Howard, near York, using the same UAV as the one to be used at the amphitheatre
Photographs of [left] Yorkminster Cathedral, and [right] Castle Howard, taken by a similar UAV to the one being used at the Amphitheatre. Click for the full size images to open in a new window. Images used by permission of www.skycell.net - ©skycell.net

Because the amphitheatre is in a built-up area, legislation prevents fixed wing aircraft from flying low over the site. However, the UAV will allow archaeologists to view the landscape from new angles and perspectives – providing fresh clues to its past.

Stewart, who is a senior landscape archaeologist with English Heritage, as well as a member of Channel 4’s Time Team, will be co-ordinating the photography between Friday, April 30 and Sunday, May 2.

He said: “The team will be using an unmanned aerial vehicle to collect unusual and informative digital imagery.

“The technique involves hoisting a digital camera onto a tethered balloon above the site. The balloon is attached by cable to a small wheeled trolley which is operated by two people on the ground.

“The highly controllable UAV will allow us to take pictures from anywhere up to 400ft above the ground and can easily be moved around to provide different angles and perspectives.”

The photography generated by this technique will be used to:

  • help unravel the development of the amphitheatre from Roman times to the present day
  • form a visual record of the site prior to excavations, which start in June
  • provide new material that can be displayed on site and at the Visitor Centre (located opposite the amphitheatre)
  • Help create a computerised reconstruction of the site

The equipment can only be used in winds of less than 7mph, so exactly when the balloon takes to the sky will depend on the weather. However, the exercise should provide an interesting spectacle for residents, tourists and shoppers over the bank holiday weekend.

The three-year project was launched by the city council and English Heritage earlier this month. The aim is to find out more about the site’s Roman and early Christian past using a combination of research and excavation.

It is hoped the project will be an exciting community event involving schools, local residents and visitors. It is also expected to attract an additional 40,000 tourists a year to Chester, create and sustain 140 new jobs and bring £5 million a year in investment to the local economy. The findings of the project will be used to draw up a plan for the future conservation of the site.