Máté SZABÓ
(University of Pécs, Aerial Archaeological Archive, Hungary)
The whole Roman Frontier in the area of Hungary was a river border. In the project of Culture 2000 we got a possibility to importance conduct a systematic research along the Danube. One of our main purposes was the aerial archaelogical reconnaissance of the Roman Frontier line in Hungary that can complement our former information.
After all, what does „river border” mean exactly in aerial archaeology? The border of the Roman Empire is occasionally still acts as a border today. The reach of the Danube in Hungary is 417 kms. There are three countries in the borderland of the researh area: Austria, Slovakia and Croatia. The vicinity of the borders sometimes restricted aerial survey, but the ordinances of the European Union could improve the situation. The river is also a very important commercial line which attracts industrial and civil investments. On the Roman Frontier we can find big cities, including Budapest and its agglomeration too. All of these result restricted and built-up areas, as well as claims for permissions.
From the viewpoint of aerial survey we could use only the remaining areas. Finally we needed good weather condition, good agricultural status and flight parameters…
The aerial survey has taken three years in Hungary, along the Danube. We found new archaeological sites, for example an ancient city, roman roads and watchtowers and we could specify our former data. We combined our experience with new methods in aerial survey. Despite the restricting factors, I think our results verify the importance of the research and the future work.