Foreword

The use of repeat photography in geomorphology has become a well-established technique for illustrating landscape changes. Its use has, however, largely been restricted to relatively ‘natural’ landscapes in large parks in the American west such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. In this volume, authors Mary J. Thornbush and Sylvia E. Thornbush apply the techniques of what they refer to as ‘photogeomorphology’ to the very different landscapes of urban portions of England and Scotland. In this well-illustrated and fascinating volume, the authors use the techniques of photogeomorphology to document changes to historic structures in Oxford, England, and to urban churchyards in England and Scotland via detailed photo-documentation of changes to headstones/ gravestones. Bringing to bear their expertise in applied geomorphology (M. J. Thornbush) and urban archaeology (S. E. Thornbush), the authors illustrate how ‘archaeogeomorphology’ provides a more thorough understanding of the physical and cultural landscape than traditional observations. They do so through the use of quantitative studies of urban heritage sites as well as qualitative studies of the historical archaeology of urban churchyards. Together, the techniques and expertise on display in this book make a compelling argument for the desirability of broader applications of photogeomorphology in other locations around the world. I congratulate the authors on the spirit of enquiry on display in this book, and strongly commend it to readers across the fields of geomorphology, physical geography, landscape and heritage studies, and urban archaeology.

David R. Butler
Texas State University System Regents’ Professor of Geography
University Distinguished Professor of Geography
Honorary Professor of International Studies
Department of Geography
Texas State University
San Marcos
Texas 78666
USA