Site-seeing: Aeriality, Archaeological Survey and Objectivity in Coastal Peru

Summary

Far from being mana from the future, aerial imagery has been integral to both the practical and conceptual dimensions of archaeological survey almost from its inception. In this presentation, I argue that aerial photography captured via private and state-funded reconnaissance in the 1930’s and 40’s played a transformational role in the emergence of regional approaches in Peru’s desert coast in the mid 20th century. I discuss how the use of aerial imagery has both enabled and constrained the interpretation of archaeological phenomena and participated in the construction of the objects of archaeological survey – sites, artifacts, and landscapes. I then consider how more recently available products – high resolution, multi-spectral satellite imagery, UAV photography and near-surface remote sensing – participate in the same processes.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeological Surveys in Light of New Technologies   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15048