From Shipwrecks to Sphagnum - Geaorchaeology in the Marine Zone
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2017-10-06

This paper will explore the challenges and advantages of undertaking development led geoarchaeology in the marine zone by using results derived from wind farm developments around the UK coasts Over the last few years a notable change has occurred in the attitude towards marine geoarchaeology in the development led offshore archaeological field in the UK. Thanks to support from Historic England and an increased understanding of taking a staged approach, developers have, if sometimes reluctantly, started to understand why geoarchaeological analysis and assessment must take place and how the information contributes to the wider research framework. The research potential for microfossils, such as the ubiquitous Sphagnum and other environmental indicators from the North Sea is very high. Studies such as the North Sea Palaeolandscape Project (University of Birmingham, 2011) and Vince Gaffney’s Mapping Lost Worlds are providing good background knowledge across large areas. In contrast to the broad approach of the research projects, development led archaeology is mostly tied to the cores and material collected by developers for their own purposes which are often from a relative defined area and tend to avoid the soft fine sediments with the highest preservation potential. Therefore, we as geoarchaeologists must find the best way forward in utilising the information we can gather from the geotechnical core material while encouraging more comprehensive geoarchaeological assessments and analysis to take place. This presentation will summarise the current status of offshore marine geoarchaeology in the UK by focusing on a number of case studies where wind farm developers have not only protected the more visible shipwrecks within their development area but also supported the study of less obvious indicators of submerged landscapes and environmental indicators preserved below their wind turbines.

Christin Heamagi Maritime Archaeology Ltd, Southampton, UK