Our Partners Directorate of Overseas Surveys Partnership

Directorate of Overseas Surveys Partnership

The Directorate of Overseas Surveys (DOS) Collection was identified as a potential goldmine of historic climate change data by an international team from Stockholm University and the University of California (Berkeley). With their collaboration, the DOS Project was grant-funded by the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, through which we launched a pioneering automated digitisation programme.  

Saving the Archive

The DOS Collection comprises almost 1.7 million images, taken throughout British colonial territories between 1946 and 1994. This photography provides a unique historical perspective and is in effect a 'Doomsday Book' of the Commonwealth. The 3D stereoscopic aerial photography in the DOS Collection records the changing urban and rural landscapes of large parts of the Commonwealth throughout the second half of the twentieth century. 

In 2012, the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) saved the DOS Collection from certain destruction following the sudden closure of its previous host museum, quickly moving the photographs and related documents to Edinburgh. Three years later NCAP was approached by Andreas Madestam and Anna Tompsett of Stockholm University, who expressed an interest in working with NCAP to unlock the Collection's enormous potential for climate change research. It took another three years before funding for the prospective project was found, from the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, at which time Solomon Hsiang at the University of California (Berkeley) also became involved.

An international partnership

This collaboration led to the DOS Project officially starting in 2021, a major partnership between Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the Department of Economics at Stockholm University and the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics at the University of California (Berkeley). In a little over two years, the entire DOS Collection - nearly 1.7 million images - was digitised thanks to the innovative use of specially adapted robots.

Following the digitisation by NCAP, our international partners are digitally stitching together the images to create merged, georeferenced mosaics that resemble modern satellite imagery. The metamorphosis of these black and white paper prints into digital mosaics will transform the availability of historical data that records global environmental change over the past century. The data will increase understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental change - including biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change.

Stockholm University - external  University of California (Berkeley) - external

IN THIS SECTION

A large modern, multistorey building is the focus of the image. It is primarily made from glass sheets, with white panelling between them. Our view is partially obscured by large, low bushy trees, which are spaced in between areas of grass. Decorative paving is laid directly in front of us and leads to a low, sweeping glass entranceway.

National Archives and Records Administration

In 2017, 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.

Approximately 60 figures stand in a loose group in front of a large, grey stone building. Shrubs grow on either side of the group, and appear to be climbing up the building. The figures are arranged across a stepped patio area and tiered garden. Some figures smile gently. They wear a mix of military type uniforms - there are four or five variations. For example - a navy blue fitted jacket, pencil skirt and grey tights, or a dark khaki green jacket with gold coloured buttons, and straight legged trousers.

The Medmenham Association

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

The city of Edinburgh, as seen from Calton Hill. The bright blue sky is crossed with stripes of cloud. In the lower half of the image buildings of varying heights and widths are clustered together, seen from above from our placement on the hill. On the left of the image is the Dugald Stewart Monument. It is composed of a circle of columns on a podium.

The University of Edinburgh - external

NCAP is committed to collaborating with staff and students at the University of Edinburgh, to further understanding of our collection and provide valuable research opportunities.

A large industrial building is the focus of the image. It has large white panelled doors which are sitting open. The main body of the building is shiny black panelling. Some areas have fencing and mesh panels. The building is partially obscured by two mature trees. There is a luminous blue sky behind the building, and some snow on the grass surrounding it.

Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre

NCAP has been an early adopter of EIDF, providing them with our huge dataset of 30 million images to work with while accessing their critical mass of expertise in return.