- Frank Allewell wrote:
Chris at one stage you were kicking around the idea of doing a full aerial survey including the Fugitives trail, did you get any further with it?
If not the advances in Drone technology may make life easier.
SG Aerial imagery as well as GE ( and other Satellite imagery providers ) has improved to a large degree and is available / accessible.
Paradoxically much older aerial photography may provide more information
An archaeologist friend of mine recently discovered some of the missing graves by utilising photography from late 1930's / 40
IF one was really serious then what one would need is hyyperspectral / multispectral imagery and LIDAR
( to look for changes in the vegetation due to changes in the soil composition and LIDAR for very accurate relief -- height / topography )
Now things start to add up quickly ( do you know a few millionaires ? )
I do have a GPS trail from when I walked the Fugitives Drift ( which I supplied to ACT )
So much changes over time -- human occupation / vegetation / erosion -- landforms / effects of livestock ( treasure hunters with metal detectors )
Have a look for a thesis by Jennifer Russell ( UKZN ) that discusses some of these changes.
PS ; Such a survey will really only help IF you know what you are looking for and have an understanding of Archaeological GIS
This would need to go hand in hand with a very careful reading of ALL the primary source / first hand first person reports / from ALL the participants.
It would also entail a proper professional archaeological survey which would need to some extent to be intrusive
( As well as the time / motion type study doen by Ron and Peter )
See the work that was done in the US for the Little Big Horn.
IF the massive luxury five star development planed for the area goes ahead then there may well be an opportunity for some "digging"