Introduction to maritime archaeology archives

The Special Collections has become a centre for archival records relating to maritime archaeology.  It already holds a number of collections and is working to develop its holdings documenting the historical development of maritime archaeology.

Honor Frost was a pioneer in the field of underwater archaeology and in its pursuit as a scientific discipline. The Honor Frost Archive includes significant material for her maritime projects in France, Sicily, Malta, Egypt, and in the Eastern Mediterranean (Lebanon, Syria and Turkey), together with material relating to Honor's research on stone anchors and photographic material recording her excavations and travels. The archive also has an especially complete record for the Marsala ship expedition, as well as original drafts and offprints of all her key publications on maritime archaeology, together with a comprehensive set of draft lectures, c.1961-2007. Correspondence that Honor maintained with other key figures in the field of underwater archaeology such as Frédéric Dumas, Lucien Basch and Paul Adam is also contained. Due to her practice of keeping drafts or carbon copies of letters sent, there is often outgoing correspondence to supplement that of letters received.

Sean McGrail was a key player in the establishment of the Centre for Maritime Archaeology at the University. His collection contains his working papers for a variety of archaeological projects with which he was involved.

Lucien Basch An nautical archaeologist and maritime historian. This extensive collection is currently being worked on and will be made available in due course.

Nicholas Flemming A maritime geoarchaeologist. This collection is currently being worked on and will be made available in due course.