Integration of air photo interpretation and field survey projects

Specialist interpretation and accurate mapping of aerial photographs can create a sound framework on which to base other forms of archaeological survey. This has become routine in many developer-funded assessments but has rarely happened on an extensive scale in Britain. It is proposed that there are historical reasons for this as well as there being present-day differences in interests of the principal funding bodies. Recent survey of the East Anglian Fenland allows results of a long-term programme of field walking to be combined with those from interpretation and mapping of aerial photographs. Examples identify the efficacy and limitations of each form of survey and demonstrate the considerable increase in archaeological information that is gained by integrating the two. Field survey and air photo interpretation in the Fenland were carried out in succession rather than in parallel and can readily highlight how each method can assist the other. This leads on to suggest ways in which our designs for archaeological surveys can be improved.