Mini helicopters to patrol archaeological sites in Peru

Two prototypes of helicopters with high definition cameras attached are being used to study and protect Peruvian cultural patrimony sites.

Archaeological site in La Libertad [Credit: El Comercio]

After this year, archaeologists will no longer have to precariously perch on top of ladders to snap pictures of Peru/s archaeological sites. That job will be done by mini helicopters with cameras attached that are now being used to observe, photograph and protect ruins.

The prototypes are now being used in San Jose de Moro in La Libertad thanks to a partnership between the Catholic University of Peru and Harvard University.

Archaeologists hope to be able to finally make a complete record of the more minute details of the country/s countless archaeological sites and create a high resolution map of important ruins. In addition it will be used to increase security by allowing authorities constantly monitor the areas.

The General Director of Patrimony at the Ministry of Culture, Ana Maria Hoyle, told El Comercio, ¨The records we will obtain will be useful not only for research purposes but also to protect cultural patrimony which, in many places, is threatened by the growth of agriculture and land trafficking.¨

Last weekend, this technology was released for the first time at a meeting in La Libertad attended by all of the important archaeologists from the north of Peru and representatives from the Ministry of Culture. They observed the helicopters, which function like robots and are controlled by remotes.

TANN