RELICS OF THE PAST FROM THE AIR

RELICS OF THE PAST FROM THE AIR

- archaeological aerial photography in Odorhei region –

The methods of aerial photography for archaeological purposes was developed based on the empirical observations of the flights during WWI. During the following decades the method has been constantly developed, giving birth to a special scientific branch, the discovery of archaeological locations, which is aerial photography for archaeological purposes.

Aerial photography has been used with great success for decades in Western Europe, and in the last few years it has spread more and more on the eastern part of the continent as well, including Transylvania. In Odorhei region this method was in use especially in the discovery of watchtowers of the Roman line of defence, but in the same time we carried out research flights related to medieval forts, ditches, and churches, being able to observe other phenomena as well. We have used this method with success and efficiency in the research of the so-called long ditches from Szeklerland, but also in discovering the environment of medieval fortresses.

Last time we made aerial photographs in Odorhei region with an experimental purpose, taking pictures of few dozen topographic points, which have in their name elements like ’őr’, ’les’, ’vigyázó’ (guard, watch, heed), looking for the answer to the question: were there any kind of built elements on these locations of the Szekler defensive system. The evaluation of the images and the additional fieldwork led us to the conclusion, that in the case of near Õrhegy Satu Nou, the world war trenches, that can be seen today, have some antecedents in the form of a destroyed watchtower made of wood. At location this tower from the late Middle Ages or from the age of principality shows similar parameters to the belvederes that are built on today`s heights.

The aerial photographs were taken with the material support of the Communitas Foundation.

 András Sófalvi