Our Partners Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

The National Collection of Aerial Photography has been working with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales to digitise tens of thousands of aerial photographic images held in The National Monuments Record of Wales, to transform access to this unique imagery.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) was founded in 1908 in the wake of the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882. It has a leading role in developing and promoting understanding of the archaeological, built and maritime heritage of Wales, holding a unique collection of photographs, maps, images, publications and reports within its archive.

 

Aerial Photography Project

RCAHMW holds c.1 million aerial images covering Wales, largely produced by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Ordnance Survey. A large proportion of the earliest aerial images held by RCAHMW were produced during Operation REVUE, a significant post-war survey of the whole United Kingdom carried out by the RAF. These images provide a valuable record of the changing Welsh landscape through the second half of the twentieth century.

Thanks to our collaboration with RCAHMW, access to over 100,000 images of locations around Wales will be preserved, rehoused, digitised and made accessible online for the first time via our online platform.

Visit the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales website.

RCAHMW

IN THIS SECTION

A long, low profile building fills the frame. It has lots of square edges and sharp angles, and our view of it is partially blocked by spindly trees and dense, low bushes. The photograph has been taken at night, and the clear, dark blue sky glows behind the building. Three rows of windows are illuminated with orange light from inside.

Directorate of Overseas Surveys Partnership

Working with Stockholm University and the University of California (Berkeley), this partnership delivered a pioneering digitisation programme.  

Edinburgh International Data Facility

Our research collaboration with the EIDF facilitates access to high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling the development of advanced algorithms and creation of analytics-ready datasets.

Irish Defence Forces

NCAP has been working with the Irish Defence Forces to digitise tens of thousands of aerial photographic images and associated records held by the Irish Military Archives.

The Medmenham Collection

With significant elements of the NCAP collection originating from RAF Medmenham, our relationship with the Medmenham Collection remains a valuable one.

National Archives and Records Administration

In 2016, NCAP began a partnership with NARA to copy its extensive holdings of aerial photography, with a particular focus on images from the Second World War.