Use case: How Bing Maps satellite imagery finds ancient sites
Blog|11 January 2019

Not only can Bing Maps help you with your business and location intelligence, but it can help you unlock your inner archaeologist!
Cyrille Chaidron, Lecturer of Archaeology at the University of Picardy in Amiens, France, has developed a unique use case leveraging satellite and aerial imagery from Bing Maps – the discovery of archaeological sites across the UK and France. As part of a series of courses he offers at the university, students are invited to use Bing Maps to help locate and identify historical landmarks hidden beneath the ground. The results are remarkable.

A Roman villa under a farm near Amiens, Northern France
He explains how Bing Maps has helped him to make new discoveries: “The quality is perfect and, depending on the nature of the soil, the results are spectacular.” He notes, “discoveries can be counted in hundreds or even thousands; it all depends on the area you are working on. It allows us to explore the question of land use from the Neolithic era to the contemporary era through the traces left on the ground.”

Series of Celtic or Roman ditches and enclosures, UK
When one looks at the examples provided it is clear to see the outlines of ancient settlements and roman villas in striking detail. This is in part helped by the great quality of imagery that Bing Maps uses via its satellite imagery providers around the globe. With a zoom level of up to 30cm per pixel and high-resolution imagery, Bing Maps helps Cyrille and his students, and other organisations around the world, with insights and business intelligence.

The field on the left shows a probable Roman military camp, Dumfries and Galloway Scotland
For example, council planners and building firms can utilise the imagery to provide insights on building distribution, and real estate vendors can show home buyers their prospective house and the surrounding area in more detail than a standard road-level map. Forestry and environmental organisations have the ability to analyse the distribution of various terrains and changes in the landscape, and, utilising the imagery in conjunction with the Elevation API can provide vital data in the industries of flood prevention and aeronautics.
Grey Matter is the EMEA and APAC distributor for Microsoft Bing Maps and has a specialist mapping team who can discuss your use case and advise on the best licensing model. Email them: [email protected] or call the team direct on +44 (0)1364 655133.
Contact Grey Matter
If you have any questions or want some extra information, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch ASAP. If you have a specific use case, please let us know and we'll help you find the right solution faster.
By submitting this form you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Website Terms of Use.
Related News
How developers can keep on top of the latest tech trends
We’re at a critical point in the future of technology. As a developer, you’re charged with remaining at the forefront of the latest trends and technologies. And with the emergence of the likes of AI, machine learning, blockchain and so...
Microsoft celebrates 50 years of innovation
Microsoft, a name synonymous with technological advancement and innovation, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company has transformed the digital landscape with pioneering products and services that have shaped the way...
Navigating the cloud marketplace: opportunities and insights
Grey Matter Talks Tech season 1 episode 4 Looking for the best route to market for your app? Tune in to our latest podcast episode. We chat to one of our Microsoft specialists, Chris Chandler, about the growing impact of...
A summary of our time at ESET World
To help you stay up to date on the latest security trends and product updates, it’s important for us to stay in the know. We like keep you well informed of trends, important industry changes and key products that might...