Imagine having a bird’s eye view of the world. The original Iron Age occupants of the hillfort at Castle O’er wouldn’t know what it looked like from above. Even today, it’s impossible to fully appreciate the ramparts from ground level. Using aerial photography we can discover a new view of the past.
Modern archaeology techniques
Archaeologists use low-altitude aerial photography by remote-controlled drone or microcopter. These give them a fresh look at ancient sites. It can provide new angles and new insights when combined with:
- 3D terrain modelling
- laser scanning
- archaeological plans
- historic maps
Understanding Castle O'er
The Iron Age hillfort of Castle O’er is set within a landscape of smaller farmsteads and large stock enclosures. It is likely that a large cattle ranch was operating in the early centuries of the first millennium AD. It may have been supplying the Roman Fort at Raeburnfoot, garrisoned to protect the road network.