About this Event
Close to sunset one evening in 1929, Père Antoine Poidebard flew his plane almost parallel to the ground, under low cloud cover, to photograph archaeological sites in Syria, their features accentuated by the sun’s concentrated, raking light. He would later call this procedure “flying under a screen of clouds.” Aerial photography has been responsible for the discovery of more archaeological sites than any other survey method, thanks to visionary scholars and enthusiasts, like Poidebard, and their bold experimentation with balloons, kites, airplanes, drones, and satellite imagery. In this lecture, presented in connection with the ISAC Museum special exhibition , Marie-Laure Chambrade, exhibition curator, will provide an overview of the history of aerial imagery and its application to the archaeology of West Asia, ranging from survey purposes to excavation follow-up and monitoring endangered heritage. She will highlight portraits of pioneers in the field, the close connection between aerial archaeology and military intelligence, and principal advancements of this century-old discipline.
* Registration is for in-person attendance only; the lecture (7–8pm) will be proceeded by a viewing of the special exhibition (6–7pm) and followed by a wine reception and further opportunity to visit the special exhibition (8–9pm). This lecture will also be livestreamed on the ISAC YouTube channel.
* The special exhibition is on view from April 25 to August 18, 2024.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum, 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, United States
USD 0.00
