Rafaq Castle, UAE – Skyscape Survey

One of dozens of watch towers dating from the 17th to 20th century that protect the coast and mountain routes in the Emirates. This ‘castle’ sits on vertical cliffs, making recording difficult, but with Skyscape know-how; not impossible. In addition a number of new structures in the vicinity were located on the ground, using the aerial imaging platform to locate the sites.

To collect orthographic data and record the elevations over the cliffs, producing contour plans and elevations.

Hilal Khan
Department of Antiquities; Ras al Khaimah

First professional archaeology drone flights in UAE

Skyscape survey (David and team) is doing an excellent job in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Documentation of Jazirat Al Hamrah (17th century traditional town, covering 54 ha) was started as a pilot project. A careful strategy and very professional recording system (including drone survey) was developed to document the traditional architecture of the town (450 structures). The work methodology which was employed not only resulted in a very comprehensive record but also meets the need of other… Read more “First professional archaeology drone flights in UAE”

Ahmed Hilal - Director

Archaeology Department, Government of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Competent and Comprehensive

I found Skyscapes Survey to be both friendly and extremely competent, all their technology is first class and they were stringent in all checks and on-site procedure. Our projects involved the exposure of two previously unrecorded sites: 20-30m diameter cairn and a an substantial enclosure so drone survey was essential to comprehend just what we had! We also survey Banked enclosures, and their knowledge and skill allowed for detailed topographic and interpretive imaging I would recommend them to anyone for a… Read more “Competent and Comprehensive”

Dr Murray Cook

Rampart Scotland

Attention to detail

Forestry Commission Scotland recently commissioned Skyscape Surveys to undertake the survey and visualisation of the Iron Age hillfort of Dun Deardail in Glen Nevis. We were very impressed by their professional approach to both flight planning and health and safety issues – and the resulting low altitude aerial photography and photogrammetric terrain model demonstrated both an attention to detail and a flair for innovative and aesthetic illustration. Discussing the site and our requirements both in advance of and subsequent to… Read more “Attention to detail”

Matt Ritchie

Forestry Commission Scotland

An amazing result

In the summer of 2016, our team had a fruitful collaboration with David and Skyscape Survey on our Romanian excavation site at Sultana Malu Rosa- The site dates to the Late Neolithic period (c. 4500-3900 cal.BC). This collaboration was an amazing result and experience for us, and consisted of a UAV topographic survey of our site and mapping the archaeological features and the landscape, some of these images and video footage was also used by our team to create a… Read more “An amazing result”

Dr.Catalin Alexandru Lazar

National History Museum of Romania