How 1930s aerial photography helped researchers reconstruct the ancient city of Persepolis
In short: This video explores how the Oriental Institute’s Center for Ancient Middle Eastern Landscapes used historic aerial surveys to build a 3D model of Persepolis. It highlights the enduring value of early aerial archaeology in understanding ancient landscapes and architectural layouts.
Between 1935 and 1937, archaeologist Erich Schmidt conducted pioneering aerial surveys of Iran using a plane named Friend of Iran. These photographs, later published in 1940, captured archaeological excavations and landscapes that have since been significantly altered. By providing a bird's-eye view, these images revealed ancient road networks and the spatial relationships between settlements and their environments.
Researchers at the Center for Ancient Middle Eastern Landscapes (CAMEL) have now integrated these 1930s records with modern technology to create a 3D model of Persepolis. This digital reconstruction allows viewers to explore the site's architecture and compare its current state with the conditions documented over eighty years ago.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Persepolis From the Air
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