Project summary
- Client: Kent County Council
- Location: Dungeness, Kent
- Project duration: April 2022-ongoing
- Sector: Minerals
Notable numbers
- Four sections of shipwreck were recovered along with several loose timbers
- Over 50 samples were taken for dendrochronological analysis
In April 2022, the remains of a wooden shipwreck were discovered during dredging operations at Cemex’s Denge Quarry in Kent - which happens to be more than 300m from the coast. Having been involved in marine aggregates, the quarry workers knew the timbers could be of archaeological importance, so made contact with Wessex Archaeology and reported the find through the Marine Aggregate Industry Archaeological Protocol for unexpected discoveries.
Following an initial assessment on-site, our experts recorded the recovered timbers and, along with external specialists, sought to establish the ship’s history. We now know there were probably up to four wrecks at the bottom of the quarry but most of the timbers were part of a carvel ship that was built in the late 16th century. A significant discovery, it is one of very few English-built ships from this period that are still in reasonable condition. Unfortunately, there is very little evidence regarding why the ship came ashore in the first place although we suspect it was either abandoned or damaged during a storm event.
Our investigations were made possible thanks to funding provided by Historic England following an emergency application led by Kent County Council.
Above: Photographing and recording the ship's timbers
Gathering evidence to solve the mystery of the shipwreck
After the quarry workers had lifted the timbers from the water, our first response was to assess them in person to ascertain their significance and create a forward plan. Our experts assumed, from this first inspection, that the timbers were likely from the 16th century.
Next, we carried out two days of emergency recording alongside dendrochronology sampling. While the results were pending, our marine specialists temporarily stabilised the wreck and produced a photogrammetric model of the hull ‘as found.’ The sampling results later confirmed that the ship had originated in the 16th century.
During the fieldwork phase, which took place across July and August 2022, our marine archaeologists recorded the finest timber details through photography, sketches and drawings, further photogrammetry and using an Artec digital scanner. They also produced timber records using Rhino software. Once the recording was finished (and following discussions with Kent County Council and Historic England), the timbers were returned to the quarry lake and covered with re-deposited aggregate to enable continued preservation and possible study in the future.
In the lab, experts from our environment department analysed soil samples taken from between the timbers to check for environmental evidence, such as insects and pollen. Our geoarchaeology experts, meanwhile, explored the coastal morphology to understand the development of the landscape and whether the ship had come to a halt on a former beach (now a quarry) or was swept through some kind of water channel. We also asked external archivists to check for records of the shipwreck.
Once the current post-excavation stage is complete, a report will be available from the Archaeological Data Service.
Working against the clock to record the timbers
The main challenge for our marine archaeologists was recording the timbers, which are highly intricate, complex structures, within the limited time available. With work coming to a close at the quarry, we had four short weeks to record the timbers and return them to the quarry lake. We quickly assembled a small team of in-house experts and conducted a thorough and detailed recording in the time available.
Another notable challenge was keeping the timbers constantly wet. The outer layers often feature the most useful information, such as tool marks or tree bark, but these can become damaged if they dry out. To keep the wood protected, in what happened to be the UK’s warmest year since records began, our archaeologists drew water from a purpose-built pond to feed an improvised watering system.
Above: To maintain preservations of the timbers moisture levels were constantly monitored and maintained.
Project legacy
Recording the timbers in four weeks was a major achievement. Along with detailed documentation, we created a virtual replica of the ship that can be utilised in the future for further analysis, reconstruction and promotional purposes.
The shipwreck captured the imaginations of people far and wide and was featured on BBC Two’s flagship archaeology series, Digging for Britain. Viewed by over a million people, the discovery went on to feature in the media including the Financial Times. Our marine archaeologists also authored a series of blogs delving into various aspects of the shipwreck’s discovery and research.
As a company, we gained from this project in two ways. Firstly, we forged positive relationships with many external specialists, including dendrochronologists, archaeological timber experts, archivists and historians. We also built a lasting relationship with Damian Goodburn, an internationally recognised ship specialist.
Secondly, we developed our staff members by giving them the knowledge to use the 3D scanner. Our lead marine archaeologist captured all the imagery needed and, once the fieldwork was complete, coached his colleagues in how to use it, providing a valuable opportunity for learning.
