LiDaR Project - Carneddau Landscape Partnership

Project Purposes

This project uses specially commissioned lidar data – a 3D scan of the ground surface using laser sensors mounted beneath a light aircraft. It identifies and maps important new information about the Carneddau, particularly by uncovering evidence of ancient land use, settlements and landscape features. Volunteers can help to discover exciting archaeological features and be trained in new digital and fieldwork skills.

There are many important archaeological sites on the Carneddau that we know about, but the detail of the lidar shows there are hundreds more to be discovered and recorded. The lidar project is helping to reveal an amazing and widespread landscape of ancient settlements and field systems.

The data capture phase is complete. It has created a lot of exciting new data for over 300 square kilometres of landscape. The project is developing a portal and training resource for volunteers to view and use the lidar data. In person training sessions are being held to help understand the features visible in the new data and what they look like out in the landscape.

Lidar data is being used to help identify invasive scrub vegetation, erosion and other features in the landscape. The data is enabling us to understand and care for the natural and cultural heritage features of the Carneddau more successfully.

Volunteers taking part in Lidar Training at Penmaenmawr Museum

What is LiDaR?

Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging. Laser sensors capture detailed measurements to create 3D digital models. Out survey of the whole Carneddau landscape and its surroundings was made using sensors mounted beneath a small propellor plane, capturing hundreds and thousands of measurements each second.

The data has been used to create a high-resolution digital model of the Carneddau Landscape.

The data was flown in the winter when the leaves were off the trees and vegetation such as bracken had died back. This gives the clearest view of the ground surface and ca even allow certain types of vegetation cover, like woodland, to be removed digitally from the model. This reveals features on the ground beneath it that can’t be seen on aerial photographs.

What are we doing?

Using LiDaR to scan the landscape to note where there needs conservation attention and to note historical and archaeological features that haven’t been previously found
Develop an online portal for volunteers, professional workers and the public to be able to see the lidar maps and data.
Offer personal training sessions with community volunteers on different technological levels to be able to look at the features that were found through lidar and to be able to add information and photographs.
Use the data to work with partners of the scheme to note work that needs to be prioritized and to develop projects to get to grips with the work priorities.

Why is this important?

Gorse and Bracken are spreading in many areas where archaeological features are concentrated, making important sites hard to find and to appreciate. Both speices are destroying archaeological remnants. Their roots are pushing walls and mounds away from each other. The lidar data will help us indicate (and bash!) the Himalayan Balsam, restore peatlands, eradicate the invasive Rhododendrons and note areas that have eroded footpaths presents.

We’re already aware that there are many important features on the Carneddau landscape that haven’t yet been brought to people’s attention. Therefore, discovering and recording these features will give us a better understanding of the Carneddau’s story and it’s context to the landscape. The new data will also give us a better understanding of ancient and modern land use by the local people.

The LiDaR project will play a vital role when mapping the historical features on the Carneddau landscape. And in turn, they will help to make conservation and management plans for the future so that archaeological features are preserved effectively.

Coming soon - LiDaR Portal

Discover new features from the comfort of your home through the LiDAR project portal.

How can you get involved?

Take part in our in-person or online lidar training opportunities to find out more about the technology and how to use it. Fieldwork sessions will help link the digital findings to features on the ground.

Take part in one of the project’s guided archaeological walks or informative talks.

Check out our events page for upcoming fieldwork, walks and talks.

Take part in our in-person or online lidar training opportunities to find out more about the technology and how to use it. Fieldwork sessions will help link the digital findings to features on the ground.

Check out our events page for upcoming fieldwork, walks and talks.

Take part in one of the project’s guided archaeological walks or informative talks.