Flying through Sardis: New Views of an Ancient City

Inexpensive but sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have transformed many aspects of archaeological research at Sardis. They have given us stunning new views of the dramatic and complex landscape of the site, and helped us discover and record ancient features that were previously inaccessible or challenging to draw with conventional tools. This video, by archaeologist John Sigmier, explains some of the ways we have used these high-tech flying machines for photography and more in recent years (Fig. 1). Other videos, although without narration, are found here.

  • Fig. 1

    Video introducing the use of drones in archaeological research at Sardis. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)