Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire

Photograph taken 1906 © Copyright Crown copyright.NMR ref: su 1242/64

This is the earliest air photograph of Stonehenge and shows the damage already being caused to the site by uncontrolled access and trackways. The henge dates to circa 2,000 BC and is thought to have served a ritual or religious function. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).

Location

Wiltshire Stonehenge

Period

Edwardian (1902 - 1913)

Themes

"Wills, Shaw and Friese-Greene Ready to Film". This was a publicity shot for the foundation of the Aerofilms aerial photography company. It was taken at the London Aerodrome, Hendon. Francis Lewis Wills was a former Royal Naval Air Service Observer and co-founder of Aerofilms. Claude Friese-Greene, holding the cine-camera, was technical director for Aerofilms in its early days, but is best known as a pioneering cinematographer. We know very little about Shaw, the pilot, probably an AirCo employee.

Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire

Location

Period

Themes

Tags