Full text: Transactions of the Symposium on Photo Interpretation

EXPERIENCES WITH AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS 
IN THE STUDY OF CASTLES 
by A. I. J. M. SCHELLART 
Muiderberg, the Netherlands 
Abstract Aerial photography as applied to the investigation of special aspects of the study 
of castles is comparatively recent. Both vertical and oblique photographs can, by their partic 
ular characteristics, contribute to the knowledge of the medieval art of fortification. 
In several cases verticals have made the scientific study of castles possible. Also they have led 
to the discovery of remnants of castles which have completely disappeared. 
Obliques can indicate the situation of a castle in the surrounding countryside and explain 
just why a particular place justified the construction of a fortification. For documentation of 
excavations they are unequalled. 
Résumé La photographie aérienne n’a contribué qu’assez récemment à éclairer certains 
aspects de l’étude des forteresses anciennes. La recherche sur les ouvrages défensifs du Moyen- 
Age bénéficie à la fois des caractéristiques des vues verticales et de celles des vues obliques. 
Les vues verticales ont constitué souvent la base indispensable à une étude systématique des 
forteresses anciennes. Elles ont permis d’en découvrir dont il ne restait pas de traces visibles 
au sol. 
Les vues obliques peuvent justifier la présence d’un château-fort dans un lieu donné, en 
situant l’ouvrage dans l’ensemble du paysage. Pour la documentation de fouilles elles sont 
sans pareil. 
Zusammenfassung Die Verwendung von Luftbild-Aufnahmen bei dem von verschiedenen 
Gesichtspunkten ausgehenden Studium von Schlössern ist verhältnismässig neueren Datums. 
Beides, Vertikal- und Schräg-Aufnahmen können durch ihre speziellen Eigenschaften einen 
Beitrag liefern zur Kenntnis von mittelalterlichen Befestigungs-Anlagen. 
In manchen Fällen ermöglichen Vertikal-Aufnahmen das wissenschaftliche Studium von 
Schlössern. Sie führen auch zur Entdeckung von Rudimenten von Bauten welche vollkommen 
verschwunden sind. 
Schrägaufnahmen können die Lage einer Burg in der umgebenden Landschaft angeben und 
erklären, warum gerade ein gegebener Ort den Bau einer Befestigung rechtfertigte. Für die 
Beweisführung von Ausgrabungen sind sie von unvergleichlichem Wert. 
Investigations into the oldest types of medieval castles in Holland and their 
location have been greatly facilitated by the introduction of the use of aerial 
photographs more than ten years ago. The author has compiled a number of 
examples of traces of these castles being found on aerial photographs. Many of 
these were taken from publications, while others were discovered during re 
search for this study. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, by specific exam 
ples, the usefulness of aerial photographs in such a study. 
It is well known among historians who are concerned with the investigation 
of castles, that the oldest medieval fortifications in Holland (as in other coun 
tries) had a circular or polygonal groundplan. Few of these castles can be 
found in good condition to-day. The ravages of time and warfare, and changes 
in the art of war, have resulted in their disappearance or in their being radically 
changed. Thus sources of information and data, other than the actual building
	        
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