NAS Part II Project Guidance notes
Introduction
Participants may choose to do
their survey as part of an existing project, or to initiate their
own. The following notes are intended to give some guidance to
those participants in the NAS Programme who are thinking of
proceeding to NAS Part II.
Aims
The main aims of the Part II project report are to:
- demonstrate that the participant has understood the survey
techniques introduced during NAS Part I
- present the work in the form of a short report
- enable others to be able to identify the location, understand
and use the report as a basis for further research
A few common questions answered
Does the report have to be done on an indivivdual basis?
No. The data can be collected individually, as a pair (a good
idea for underwater sites), or as a group.
Does the report have to be submitted individually?
No. The report can be submitted as a group, but we have to be
satisfied that everyone has contributed to the data collection
and report compilation.
Does the report have to be on a new or 'real' site?
No. The report has to be the work of the individual or group,
but could be a regularly visited site, or on a structure in, e.g.
Horsea Island Dive centre, Stoney Cove or even your own boat. It
is the development of skills that is important, although a survey
of a 'real' site will have additional archaeological benefits.
The site could have been surveyed a number of times
previously.
NB There is value in repeating
surveys on some sites over a number of years in that the process
of change or possible decay can be monitored.
Joint projects
In such cases each individuals
contribution must be clearly identified. Drawings, diagrams and
photographs should have a personal accreditation. We suggest that
if the data is collected as a group, consider submitting
individual reports as a way of adding your personal approach to
the report.
Choosing the topic
The subject of the survey can be
anything related to nautical archaeology. If in any doubt about
the subject contact the NAS office for advice. We are not looking
for a summary of sites dived or visited, or an account of other
peoples work.
Underwater examples
The potential is enormous, but
the following examples should give you some ideas, e.g. a ship
wreck site, a scatter of artefacts, an isolated find such as a
cannon or anchor, part of a harbour wall or installation, lock
gate, river crossing, bridge footings, submerged settlement or
building, etc. Reports based on remote sensing methods could also
be used provided attention is paid to position fixing, etc.
Inter-tidal zone sites
Around the coast, in rivers and
lakes there are many 'hulks' that lie abandoned. The majority
will not have been recorded and are under threat from a variety
of sources. They make very good structures to survey and are of
archaeological interest. Reliable information will be added to
local and national Sites and Monuments Records (SMRs).
Above high water
Suitable examples are harbour
installations, bridges, or boats held in museums or part of
ethnographic collections.
How much is required?
It is not the aim of the report
to be a 200 page dissertation or to be a one page site summary,
but it is at the same time difficult to be specific about numbers
of words, diagrams, measurements, etc. We don't want every report
to be identical.
As a general guide the report should be based on
data collected over a couple of weekends diving, or a morning's
surveying, but this will be dependent on the specific site, e.g.
depth of water, accessibility, and how quickly you can gather the
data. The amount of data will also depend on whether the project
is done by an individual or a group. As an example, if a 'hulk'
is chosen as the subject for the survey we would expect no more
than a cross section, or a measured outline of the hull. We would
expect more detail from a larger group. Diagrams, drawings and
photographs should have scales and conform to accepted
conventions.
Assessment
The report will be assessed
against a number of criteria set out on the Part II Evaluation
Form. It is possible that the initial submission will fail to
reach the required standard. If this is the case the report will
be returned to you for amendment, with the reasons clearly
identified. There isn't a limit to the number of submissions.
Participants are advised to contact the NAS office for guidance
during the initial stages of the report to avoid
disappointment.
Survey method
The survey method should be
'pre-disturbance', that is before any excavation is carried out,
or before any artefacts are removed from the site. It is
understood that the site may well have been disturbed by others
before the survey began. The survey method chosen should be
appropriate to the site. Whatever method(s) is used there should
be a short description and explanation of the reasons for the
choice in the report.
It must be possible to re-locate
the site and appropriate steps should be taken to ensure this is possible.
Ideally you should give a Lat/Long, or 'eastings/northings'
position. Depending on the position of the site relative to known
or charted features a range of techniques might be used,
including:- (D)GPS, EDM, Total Station, Sextant, Range Bearing
Compass, Theodolite, transits, sketch, or photograph, etc. Datum
points should be identifiable regardless of whether they are
likely to be temporary, e.g. points on cannons, anchors,
buildings should be described, or made more permanent, such as
'pitons' driven in to rock, etc.
Submitting a draft
It is important to keep in
contact with the NAS office and get advice on anything you feel
uncertain about. A draft version can be sent for comment before
the final version is submitted for assessment.
The final report
The final survey drawings will
normally consist of a two dimensional plan of the site with a
scale (in metres) together with an indication of Magnetic or True
North, the name of the draughts-person and the date the drawing
was completed. If the survey is to be carried out on a structure
such as a building or ship, the report should include a brief
description of its construction and present condition.
A sketch, diagram, or photograph
with a recognisable scale would be a suitable record. It should
include overall dimensions and at least one 'projection' (i.e.
plan), profile or section, drawn from the survey data. The
specific survey area should be linked to an overall site plan
which in turn should be linked to regional and national maps.
The basic measurements required to record a hull proile
are:
- Right angle offsets taken from the upper edges of each plank
(on one side only)
- Breadth measurements between corresponding planks
- Offset from centre of keel to centre line
The report should also include information on the dates that
surveying took place, the names of those who took part, (diving
details if applicable), weather conditions, and any environmental
factor that could be relevant to the understanding of your
results and planning future investigations of your site. An
important aspect of the report will be an assessment of the
information you have collated and the methods used. The drawn
survey should be done in ink with neat legible lettering to the
drawing and in explanatory keys. The accompanying documentation
should be typed if possible, or if not the handwriting must be
legible.
Important note: Your report will be abstracted from
the field measurements you took - known archaeologically as the primary
record. This primary record underpins your report, and should be submitted
alongside it. Your report may be rejected if this material is not included
as an appendix.
On successful completion of your report you should send your
Training Record card for signing.
Confidentiality
Subject to your agreement a copy
of your report will be taken for the NAS archive.
Dissemination
We will encourage you to publish
your report in the NAS Newsletter, or other appropriate journal.
Where appropriate we will send a copy of your report to be
included in the local and national Sites and Monuments Records.We
will also encourage you to use the survey if it is suitable as a
basis for producing a report to the criteria set for NAS Part IV.
The original Part II Survey of Whitewall Creek used as an example
in these notes was expanded by the author and became part of the
RCHME's publication 'Nautical Archaeology on the Foreshore, Hulk
recording on the Medway.'
Safety
Wherever you intend to undertake
your survey, whether it is underwater, in the inter-tidal zone or
above high water, most sites will have some specific risks.
Remember you are doing a task,
not simply observing. It will be likely you will be working in
contact with a structure that is
not in good structural condition. It is important to assess these
risks in the planning stage of the survey. NAS would recommend
that you conduct a risk assessment of the site before you start.
Basic safety on underwater sites
This guidance should be taken in addition to your normal dive
planning programme.
Make sure you are fit to dive,
that your equipment is in good working condition and that it has
been tested or inspected according to the manufacturers
recommendations, particularly your regulator and cylinder.
If you are using unfamiliar survey
equipment, make sure you understand how to use it before you dive. Get
instruction if in doubt. Carrying additional equipment that you
are not used to can upset your diving routine. Even tape measures
can be hazardous particularly in poor underwater conditions.
Consider clips for equipment so
that your hands are free to deal with buoyancy, flooded mask,
etc. Make sure your buddy understands the task, particularly if
they are not directly involved in the survey. Consider who will
be looking after your buddy when you are concentrating on taking
measurements, photographs or generally recording 'your' wreck.
Hazards that may be due to the
nature of your site include corroding metal edges, spikes, nails,
all of which can puncture or tear suits or you. It makes sense
to dive conservatively, don't push your comfortable diving envelope
at the same time as you are learning to do new tasks underwater!
Basic safety on intertidal sites
The intertidal zone can pose as
many problems as an underwater site. Access can be slow and
difficult, and there is the risk of getting stuck in mud or quick sand,
as well as being cut off by the tide.
Sites such as abandoned hulks provide
a number of specific hazards. The structures are often badly
eroded and in danger of collapse. Ships fastenings and loose
structural elements provide a potential for a wide range of
injury.
It is recommended that you conduct a risk assessment of
the site and make any necessary arrangements for your safety.
Consider the following points particularly if the site is
unfamiliar or isolated.
- have access to immediate first aid
- provision of a mobile phone.
- know the route to the nearest hospital A & E department,
remember not all hospitals have them
- local doctors telephone number
Safety equipment
Equipment that might improve personal safety, depending upon the nature
of your site includes:
- non-slip, hard soled foot wear
- wet weather equipment
- life jackets
- safety harnesses
- safety helmets
- safety boat
- ladders
- walk ways/duck boards
Sites above high water
Consider all of the above that are
appropriate to your site.
Part II Project : Evaluation
You must include the following information in your report:
- Name of candidate
- Title of project
- Date submitted
Survey criteria: Skills or information required
- Basic archaeological survey techniques have been
demonstrated, e.g. trilateration or datum off sets, etc.
- Survey techniques selected are appropriate to the site, e.g.
a reasonable degree of accuracy has been achieved and
quantified.
- The selection of survey strategy is explained.
- At least 50% of the survey data was collected by the
candidate.
- Original survey data and dive logs (where applicable) are
appended to the report.
- The data is clearly recorded and in a format which someone
else could use to reproduce the survey.
- The site plan is accurate and legible and uses acceptable
drawing conventions (hachures, contour lines, scale, north arrow.
etc.
- The site plan is related to regional and national maps.
- Photographs, diagrams, sketches (if applicable) are presented
with appropriate scales and/or explanatory text.
- Introductory information on the site is given (date,
significance, history of research at site and reason for
study.
- The survey method and results are evaluated.
- The report is entirely the work of the candidate or has been
identified in the event of a group project.
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