LONDON, June 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Space-age technology is to be used for the first time, to help protect Scotland’s centuries-old cultural and prehistoric sites.
Cultural watchdog, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), teamed up with the European Space Agency (ESA) and remote monitoring specialists, Moniteye, in a project to explore the challenges faced in protecting historic sites from threats, such as coastal erosion and ground movement.
The project will establish how satellite capabilities can assist in monitoring and managing the impact of potential threats.
It will build on the current use of innovative space and satellite techniques within heritage management, and will also use satellite radar data for the first time in Scotland, to measure terrain movement.
The project will focus on specific case studies, including Skara Brae, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, and the area of designed landscape, laid out in the early 18th century around Mavisbank House, in Midlothian.
HES said, “Skara Brae is vulnerable to coastal erosion, related to climate change, while Mavisbank Policies are affected by localised slope instability, which can be exacerbated by changes in rainfall patterns.”
Mairi Davies, climate change manager at HES, said, “This exciting new project will take a new and innovative approach to understanding and managing the climate change risk to Scotland’s historic sites.
“At HES, we are very much at the forefront of investigating and researching the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future.”
Scotland’s culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said, “The satellite data used in this partnership with the European Space Agency, is a fascinating example of how space technology can help preserve, monitor and manage change at our historic sites.”– NNN-AGENCIES
