Offshore Legacies: are we making the most of the marine development dividend?
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 17/06/2019

Development‐led projects have been a feature of UK marine archaeology for at least 20 years. This has caused an influx of resources and technical capabilities that could hardly have been anticipated in the mid‐1990s. Archaeologists have benefitted in terms of access to the historic environment, skills and employment. Many important discoveries and investigations have occurred as a direct result of offshore development. But has the impact of this dividend been proportionate to the investment? Archaeology has three objectives: to conserve physical evidence; to advance understanding of past societies; to engage the public. How does marine development‐led archaeology rate against these three objectives as it matures? This presentation will consider the strengths and weaknesses of archaeological practice in the marine zone, together with potential threats and opportunities as we look to establish a longterm legacy for marine development‐led archaeology.

Antony Firth (Fjordr Ltd)