2003 conference report
Saturday 8th November, University of Portsmouth
The NAS Conference provides an
annual update on the archaeological activities of members and
non-members, and aims to appeal on both a national and
international level. In 2003 there were 11 speakers and over
170 attendees at the conference. A summary of events and
abstracts is given below:
Frau Metta Caterina von Flensburg "The project, 30 years
on"
Jon Parlour
Jon's talkk detailed the survey
and excavation of the FMCvF over the past 30 years. How the
discovery of a ships bell in 30 metres of water has kept a small
and dedicated group of divers busy for 30 years. Highlighting the
continuous improvement of techniques and use of emerging
technologies on the site. Demonstrating the opportunities
provided to branch members and guest divers to apply their diving
and develop their interest in underwater archaeology.
Putting the Swan to bed: a review of 10 years' archaeology on
a 17th century pinnace off Duart Point, Mull
Dr Colin Martin, Licensee of the Duart Point Designated
Wreck
This summer saw a final season on
the pinnace Swan, a small warship built for Charles I in 1641 and
lost off Mull while serving the Commonwealth in 1653. Much of the
ship's structure has survived and parts have been recorded in
situ. The stern area was particularly well preserved,
encapsulating many of its interior fittings and some of the
ship's decorative carvings. This structural evidence, and the
methodologies used to interpret it, will be discussed. Associated
work on armament, ballasting, small finds, human and animal
bones, and environmental material will also be described. The
site has now been stabilised and will be monitored over the
coming years.
Submarine Wrecks of the English Channel
Innes McCartney
This highly informative talk
focused specifically on the identification of U-boat wrecks and
the impact on traditional war-histories of submarine research in
the English Channel.
A British wreck in Argentina: The HMS Swift
Dolores Elkin, PROAS, Argentina
In 1982 the remains of the
British sloop of war HMS Swift, sank in 1770, were discovered by
local divers in the coast of Puerto Deseado, Southern Argentina.
After several interventions in the site a team of archaeologists
from the National Institute of Anthropology became in charge of
the project, giving birth to professional underwater archaeology
in the country. This presentation summarised the different
research topics, which are being addressed, the main results
achieved to date, and the implications of the Swift project in
terms of cultural significance and legislative issues for UK and
Argentina.
Adopt a Wreck Annual Award presentation
The first Adopt a Wreck award was
presented by Phil Harding of Channel 4's Time Team, to BSAC
Branch 317/s and The Gibraltar Museum for their fascinating
research into a wreck off Gibraltar formerly know as the 'Inner &
Outer' and now identified as HMS Erin. Phil Smith of the winning
team gave a fascinating talk on their research and
discoveries.
A runner-up prize was awarded to
Steve Hunter of H2O Dive Club in Leeds for their work on the
Catalina Flying Boat wreck off the coast of Largs, Scotland.
A complete list and descriptions of adopted wreck sites is
available from this site, see link below:
Wreck site list
Researching the Oregon, a late 19th century sailing ship
Chris Inham
Detailed work on the adopted wreck site the Oregon
'Clenchers' in Guernsey and 'kravels' in Sweden: Recent
shipwreck research either side of the great transition.
Dr Jon Adams, University of Southampton
The wrecks of several medieval,
clinker-built ships have been discovered in St Peter Port
harbour, Guernsey. Their large size and international context is
throwing new light on medieval shipbuilding as well as Guernsey's
role in European trade. If these vessels represent the 'beginning
of the end' of the long-lived Nordic technology, a recent find in
the deeper waters of the Baltic has provided a dramatic early
example of the carvel technology that superseded it. Viewing them
together helps dissolve some of the supposed mystery surrounding
the transition as well as providing a maritime slant on the dawn
of modern Europe.
The Newport Ship - A Year On
Nigel Nayling, University of Lampeter
An archaeological watching brief
on a development on the right bank of the River Usk in Newport,
South-East Wales, led to the excavation and recovery of the
substantial remains of a medieval, clinker-built ship. This
presentation reviewed the results of fieldwork, and provided an
update on progress since the end of excavations. For further
information on the remarkable find and the work of the
Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust.
The Newport ship website
Investigating HMS Impregnable
Julie Satchell, Hants & Wight Trust for Maritime
Archaeology
This paper presented a brief
history of HMS Impregnable, the site survey work undertaken and
the results of research to date. HMS Impregnable was lost in 1799
in Hayling Bay. The vessel had been speeding towards Portsmouth
after escorting a convoy from Lisbon. Trapped in shoal waters the
ship could not be brought off and was stripped and salvaged. The
remains of the vessel were originally located and dived in the
1980s. The HWTMA was keen to follow this and carry out further
work on this wreck. During the Eastern Solent Marine Archaeology
Project a mixed team of professional and amateur divers surveyed
the site. Research into the history of the vessel and contact
with local groups that had dived the site previously are now
helping to reveal further interesting information.
What the Romans did for us: Concrete
Chris Brandon
Over 2000 years ago the Romans
discovered that they could build structures in the sea using
hydraulic concrete, concrete that sets underwater. The discovery
revolutionised harbour design and subsequently Roman
architecture. How did the Romans make this concrete and how did
they build underwater in the open sea? To answer these questions
and others a study of the ancient concrete remains around the
Mediterranean was instigated entitled ROMACONS. The project
involves taking core samples from large concrete harbour or other
marine structures and analysing them using a consistent range of
tests. This presentation described this amazing technology, the
study project and preliminary findings.
Monitoring the Kinlochbervie wreck site
Barry Kaye
Assessing what chemical, physical
and biological processes are occurring on a site, and how they
impact the site is central to the development of any site
management programme. At the Kinlochbervie wreck site a number of
simple monitoring strategies were employed in an attempt to
understand the environment of the wreck. Techniques included test
stakes, drifters, and corrosion potential measurements. The
results indicated that the environment of the site is somewhat
different to what was expected, and correlated well with the
nature and preservation of the finds.
Kinlochbervie talk transcript
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