The scheduled monument of Bishop’s Dyke in the New Forest, Hampshire, is considered to be an outstanding example of a ‘park pale’, a ditch-and-bank enclosure that marked the boundary of a medieval deer park.
Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Forestry England to undertake a before-and-after survey of a breach within the enclosure. The monument was subject to safeguarding works, to allow vehicles to cross without damage, so that vital wetland restoration could be undertaken.
After establishing a network of GPS surveyed Ground Control Points (GCPs), we used a DJI Matrice 350 drone equipped with a DJI L2 Lidar Sensor and surveyed the site from the air. The resulting dataset enabled the creation of contour plots, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles across the earthworks and a Plant Health Index (PHI). Once the safeguarding works were complete, we used the same flight path to generate a dataset to compare. This allowed us to assess the impact of the works and to conclude that the historic fabric of the earthworks remained intact. However, the survey for the earthworks extending to either side showed where the monument is being worn by animal activity and footpaths, data that will help future management.
Drone derived data is also an excellent way to enhance public engagement, especially when put into a storymap (click to see in full-screen).
