Department of Archaeology and Centre of Historical & Archaeological Aerial Photography (CHAL)
- Study and management of about 100.000 historical and archaeological aerial photographs
The In Flanders Fields Museum, Ghent University and the Province of West-Flanders have launched the “Centre of Historical & Archaeological Aerial Photography (CHAL)” in January 2014. The three partners collaborate on the study and use of historical and present-day aerial photographs in archaeology. The historical aerial photography from the First World War is a unique source of information. A massive amount of reconnaissance images was made by the different fighting parties, of which a considerable amount survives today in the archives.The photographs offer unique opportunities for scientific research, for museal applications and for touristic developments of historical sites on the former battlefields of WWI in Flanders. Because they show us the landscape of 100 years ago, they are also indispensable sources of information in heritage management and spatial development of the area. In recent years, also historical aerial photographs from the second World War are added to the collection, covering Belgium but also interesting theatres of war abroad.
CHAL also studies and manages the elaborate collection of oblique aerial photographs that were made for archaeological purposes by pilot Jacques Semey. About 72.000 images were made above mainly East- and West-Flanders, a unique source of information.
