Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973! Wessex Archaeology has been proud to work with National Curators Historic England, Cadw, Historic Environment Scotland, and a wide range of organisations, volunteers, and licensees over the last 15 years, exploring Protected Wrecks and assessing wrecks that could be considered for protection under the Act.
Wessex Archaeology has investigated and recorded 39 of the 53 Protected Wrecks in English waters, five of the six wrecks in Welsh waters, and eight of the wrecks in Scottish waters, now protected as Historic Marine Protected Areas. In some cases, our work directly contributed to the decision for designation.
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018
Throughout this work, we have built up our expertise and knowledge base, and have continued to collaborate with local diving groups, researchers, licensees, volunteers and other individuals.
Innovative recording techniques have contributed to our understanding of these fascinating sites. Work has included: geophysical survey, surface supply and scuba diver surveys, diver tracking, unique software for recording dive investigations, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) surveys, photogrammetry, dendrochronological sampling and pH testing. We have produced desk-based assessments for Protected and undesignated wreck sites, and developed thematic studies that cover wider areas.
Work by Wessex Archaeology has led to significant further research and has had considerable impact. Surveys on Protected Wrecks have laid the ground work for projects that have gone on to become large-scale excavations or outreach projects such as dive trails.
By Andrea Hamel, Senior Marine Archaeologist