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Archaeological Detectives at Baden Powell School, Poole

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:39:36 +0000

Last Friday Gemma Ingason and Katie Card joined pupils at Baden Powell and St Peter’s Middle School to each deliver five one-hour workshops on the Tudors for Year 5 and World War Two for Year 6.

Pupils at Baden Powell and St Peter’s Middle School enjoying the workshop

The sessions began by introducing how maritime archaeologists find out about the past by using different methods such as diving, research and geophysical survey.

Year 5 became detectives identifying artefacts from a mystery box and trying to work out who their owner was. Children examined coins, medieval pottery, wooden pulley, nit combs and a potato. They discovered the owner was a Tudor sailor. Students discussed what life would have been like on board a Tudor ship.

Meanwhile in Year 6, the children identified fragments recovered from the seabed and tried to work out what they came from. They were excited to discover that the artefacts belonged to a German aeroplane called a Junkers JU 88.

One lucky pupil from each class donned an authentic aviator’s suit. The class discussed the different parts of the uniform, including a scarf map, knife tied to the suit with a string and woolly gloves.

The children were brilliant and very much enjoyed learning about their maritime past.

Trying on an authentic aviator’s suit

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WA Coastal & Marine team participate in underwater excavation of Neolithic settlement in Eastern Mediterranean

Wessex Archaeology — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:39:48 +0000

In September two WA Coastal & Marine staff set off for Israel to participate in a seven day course of underwater excavation and training. Dr Jonathan Benjamin and John McCarthy of our Edinburgh office joined a team of eight marine archaeologists with representatives from Ireland, the UK, Norway, Denmark, Bulgaria, Germany and Canada. The training excavation was organised by SPLASHCOS, a European network. The programme was also supported by assistance from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies and the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, the Israel Prehistoric Society and the Ecoocean Society. The excavation was led by Dr. Ehud Galili, one of Israel's most respected archaeologists, who first discovered the village.

Prof. Galili takes a moment to instruct an Early Stage Researcher on underwater archaeological techniques.

The full schedule consisted of excavation and recording at the submerged Neolithic village at Atlit Yam combined with a series of lectures and field trips to museums and archaeological sites. Atlit Yam is one of the world's most important submerged prehistoric sites; a world class archaeological site, above or below the sea. The remains consist of the foundations of an extensive village dating to around 9,000 years ago that contain structures, burials, wells and a megalithic monument, all at a depth of around 10 metres below the sea. A published presentation of the site can be found in chapter 22 of Benjamin, J. (ed.) 2011 Submerged Prehistory, Oxbow Books.

Jonathan taking samples from the palaeosol around the well (photo:Karolyn Gauvin).

Professor Galili giving an evening lecture on management of maritime heritage in Israel (photo:Frederick Feulner)

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Surveying in Shetland

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:28:42 +0000

Dr Stephanie Arnott and Genevieve Shaw recently returned from conducting geophysical surveys of several wrecks around Shetland, as part of a project for Historic Scotland. Steph tells us about their trip:

“Gen and I travelled to Shetland in late September to survey several wrecks. Our brief was to survey a number of shipwrecks, covering sites from a variety of ages and types. The wrecks ranged from unidentified vessels with a rough location to well-known wrecks that have frequently been dived. Some were situated in deep water whilst others were located close to the shore in shallow waters.

On the boat: surveying the wreck of a 1745 gunship called Drottingen of Swenge (Queen of Sweden).

We surveyed eight wrecks in total, seven on the eastern side of Shetland and one just off the Out Skerries.

Gen (left) and I prepare to deploy the
sidescan sonar towfish in Lerwick Harbour.

Collecting the data on the boat could be a challenge, particularly when we surveyed wrecks close to the coastline. For example we surveyed the Wrangels Palais, a sailing ship which ran aground in dense fog in 1687 on the Out Skerries. Its proximity to the cliffs meant that even though the sea was not rough there were still large waves breaking on the rocky cliffs alongside us.

Inside the heart of Lerwick Harbour we surveyed two World War Two wrecks with a tragic story. In 1943, the decks of these two torpedo boats were loaded with extra fuel for a rescue mission to Norway. Somehow, a gun accidentally fired, setting light to the fuel on one of the ships, and destroying both. Sadly, eight crewmembers were lost in the blaze. Today, the engines of one remain above the seabed and there are numerous smaller items at both sites.

Gen has just started to process the data we collected and will be providing detailed interpretations of each of the wreck sites for Historic Scotland.”

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Public urged to search the shore and share their stories in Western Isles

Wessex Archaeology — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:07:46 +0000

Fishermen, beachcombers, divers and local people in the Western Isles are being urged to report anything unusual they’ve spotted at the shoreline or under the sea to a new archaeological project, launched this week.

The project – a partnership between RCAHMS, WA Coastal & Marine, Historic Scotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – is searching for the prehistoric and historic remains of the coastal and marine areas of the Outer Hebrides.

Rising sea levels and coastal erosion make the search for previously undiscovered archaeology in the Western Isles a priority, as there is always the real danger that it could be lost for good.

A key feature of the project is getting local people involved in sharing their knowledge of potential sites of archaeological remains and involving them in research work.

The team hopes to make some discoveries of previously unknown sites as a direct result of 'tip-offs' from the local community.

That’s why they’re inviting local people to a talk this week to find out more [Taigh Chearsabhagh Arts Centre on North Uist at 7pm on 12 October 2011] and holding regular sessions in a local venue to encourage people to come forward with their stories.

By working with local people the project aims to explore the rich coastal and maritime history of the Outer Hebrides which spans thousands of years.

Evidence of the remains of ancient settlements, fish-traps , even tree stumps that may now lie submerged, and other finds and fragments from the inter-tidal zone, are all part of the puzzle that the project wants to hear about, in order to piece together stories of the past.

The sorts of things the team are looking for are often discovered by accident when landing a boat or walking along a shoreline when there’s a particularly low tide.

Speaking on behalf of the project partners, RCAHMS archaeological investigator Alex Hale said:

“The Outer Hebrides have been lived on for many thousands of years and they contain a rich prehistoric and historic legacy.

“Because of the islands’ importance to seafaring over the centuries, many of the remains of buildings and settlements are found around the coastal fringes - including under the sea and in lochs. Due to rising sea-levels and the power of the sea, these remains are now at risk of being lost.

We hope that local people who might live or work on the shore and the sea – and anyone with a good knowledge of the islands – will come forward with stories and information.”

Deborah Anderson from CNE-Siar’s Western Isles Archaeology Service said, “The archaeology of the Outer Hebrides is remarkable in the extent of its survival, however there is considerable pressure on sites from coastal erosion. Over the last 10,000 years a substantial area of land has been submerged by rising tides including areas of prehistoric land surfaces, which could hold early settlement remains.

Recent discoveries of prehistoric sites in the intertidal areas indicate that there are still pockets of preservation in some places. By integrating the land based coastal archaeological evidence and the information we acquire from locals through this project, we will better understand how people lived and worked on our islands over the last 9,000 years.”

Dr Jonathan Benjamin of WA Coastal & Marine added “We have already received a warm welcome in Stornoway and we are looking forward to meeting people interested in the history and archaeology of Uist.”

For more information about the project or to have a chat about getting involved, people can email marine@rcahms.gov.uk or visit the Outer Hebrides Coastal Community Marine Archaeology Pilot Project website.

-ENDS –

Notes for Editors

1. OHCCMAPP is a community-oriented project: a partnership between WA Coastal & Marine, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Historic Scotland, CNE-Siar and the communities of the Outer Hebrides.www.wessexarch.co.uk/projects/marine/scotland/outer-hebrides/ohccmapp

2. RCAHMS is the National Collection of materials on Scotland’s built environment that connects people to places across time. It is the first port of call for information about the built environment of Scotland, from prehistory to the present and records the changing landscape of Scotland and collects materials relating to it. www.rcahms.gov.uk

3. WA Coastal & Marine is a non-profit company and a registered charity with offices throughout England and Scotland. In addition to working closely with developers as an archaeological consultancy, as a charity WA is established to promote the education of the public in the subjects of culture, arts, heritage and science through the pursuit of archaeology. www.wessexarch.co.uk

4. The role of Western Isles Archaeology Service is to identify and protect the archaeological resource of the Outer Hebrides, promote a greater awareness and understanding of the Islands’ rich archaeological heritage and encourage a sustainable approach to managing change within the Historic Environment. www.cne-siar.gov.uk/archaeology

5. Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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Exploring the SS Great Britain

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:48:24 +0000

Last week, one of our Learning and Access officers, Sarah Phillips, visited ss Great Britain in Bristol.

The purpose of the visit was to find out how the ship’s educational work developed and grew. Today the ss Great Britain is a popular visitor attraction for schools and the public and a valuable resource for learning about Britain’s maritime history.

ss Great Britain

The famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the ss Great Britain. The ship was a world first when she was launched in Bristol in 1843, a technological marvel in ship design. The ship had a wide variety of roles in her life, from luxury transatlantic passenger liner to transporting Welsh coal.

During the early 20th century, she was damaged and ended up in the Falkland Islands. In 1970, she was brought back home and this marked the start of an amazing project to conserve and restore the ship back to her former glory.

Today, the ss Great Britain resides in the Bristol docks. You can explore the ship, which tells the story of what life was like for passengers when it transported people rather than coal.

We got the opportunity to go aboard, and enjoyed investigating the nooks and crannies of the ship, including the stables! The grand dining room looked like it came straight from an Agatha Christie novel. The visit was extremely useful and Wessex Archaeology thanks the staff at ss Great Britain for taking the time to show them around.

If you are looking for research material, you can also visit the ss Great Britain’s recently opened Brunel Institute, which hosts a fascinating archive and library covering maritime history, archaeology and of course the work of the famous engineer Brunel.

To find out more visit the ss Great Britain’s website, or read about our excavations in advance of the new conservation and education centre in 2007.

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Wessex Archaeology on the BBC's One Show

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:34:21 +0000

Work undertaken by Wessex Archaeology will feature in a documentary entitled “Mystery of the Women on the HMS London” on BBC1’s The One Show this Friday at 7.00pm.

The documentary, presented by Dan Snow, explores the 17^th century English warship, the HMS London lost in the Medway in 1655 as it sailed out to battle against the Dutch. It appears there was a disastrous accident, which led to several tons of gunpowder exploding, sinking the ship. The recent discovery of the remains of several females on the ship is a strange occurrence – what were these women doing in this usually male environment?

Wessex Archaeology carries out diving fieldwork on the London for English Heritage as part of the Protection of Wrecks Act contract. The film offers the opportunity for you to see this amazing wreck, as the cameras follow our divers under water.

The item is scheduled for the 2^nd of September on BBC1’s One Show at 7pm.

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WA Coastal & Marine at the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS) 2011 Meeting

Wessex Archaeology — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:15:00 +0000

WA Coastal & Marine, through our Edinburgh office, presented a poster (displayed below) at the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS) first annual science meeting held in Edinburgh, August 22-24.

Although MASTS originated with an emphasis on fisheries and marine biological sciences, it includes physical oceanography, coastal geomorphology and marine archaeology.

WA Coastal & Marine staff were in attendance to highlight the potential for interdisciplinary research and management in Scotland’s seas, and the use of marine data for archaeological purposes as well as WA's role in helping sustainable development in the marine environment. In addition to presenting a poster, WA also took part in the Marine Protected Areas workshop where discussions were held between curators from Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, as well as scientists and developers alike.

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Grateley Primary School Aspirations Day

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:15:46 +0000

On Friday 8^th July Victoria Cooper from the Wessex Archaeology Coastal and Marine team visited Grateley Primary School to take part in their Aspirations Day.

Aspirations Day included a wide range of demonstrations and activities, from aikido to wood turning and visits from a helicopter pilot and a local farmer, amongst others. The aim was to inspire pupils to think about new hobbies and interests and was a fantastic opportunity to speak to them about seabed archaeology.

From the very youngest children to the top class, they all loved the opportunity to handle real artefacts. However there was some disappointment that archaeologists don’t dig up dinosaurs! Luckily, the mammoth fossils proved sufficient, although some were a bit squeamish at the prospect of holding the bones and teeth. Everyone had a go at guessing artefacts in the water table and the day ended with a number of inspired young archaeologists in the making.

If you’re interested in learning more about seabed archaeology – check out our Explore the Seafloor website.

Water activity table

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New Book on HMS Drake

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:34:55 +0000

HMS Drake, a site investigated by Wessex Archaeology, is the subject of a new book.

On 2 October 1917 HMS Drake had just escorted a convoy across the Atlantic when she was torpedoed by U-79. The torpedo blew a hole into one of the four boiler rooms instantly killing all but two of the crew at work. Then listing dangerously to her starboard side the vessel limped round the southern tip of Rathlin Island. Anchored in Church Bay Drake rolled over onto her starboard side and sank. HMS Drake has lain off Rathlin Island ever since.

In 2006 Wessex Archaeology conducted an undesignated site assessment of HMS Drake for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (previously Environment and Heritage Service of Northern Ireland). Despite damage from the torpedo attack, the divers discovered the wreck in good condition and were able to identify many different features of the wreck.

A recent article in Belfast Telegraph recounted the sinking of the Drake detailed in Ian Wilson’s book HMS Drake: Rathlin Island Shipwreck. This new book recounts the life, times and death of the Drake and is available to order from Rathlin Island Books.

Find out more about HMS Drake including a link to a report of Wessex Archaeology’s investigation.

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WA Coastal & Marine featured on BBC Alba

Wessex Archaeology — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:57:58 +0000

Dr. Jonathan Benjamin and Dr. Andrew Bicket from WA Coastal & Marine (Edinburgh Office) appeared on BBC Alba's news programme, An Là on 20 July 2011.

In the interview, Jonathan explained how preliminary research suggests that submerged areas of the Western Isles may hold clues about the islands' earliest inhabitants in addition to later maritime heritage. Jonathan and Andy were on Lewis at the invitation of the council, and held a public lecture in the council chambers on Monday 18th July 2011.

Wessex Archaeology is a registered charity, with outreach and educational objectives and offices throughout England and Scotland.

The piece which is in both Gaelic and English, is used here with permission.

Jonathan Benjamin and Andy Bicket

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