Applied Maritime Archaeology

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Identify the organisational, logistic and managerial processes necessary to ensure successful fieldwork
• Define the strategies, procedures and techniques of excavation and recording in the intertidal zone and underwater
• Explain the ethical frameworks within which responsible maritime archaeological fieldwork is carried out
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of specific case studies.
• Undertake post- fieldwork data processing, including object recording

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Produce plans and other forms of output with the data from the above techniques
• Evaluate a maritime site and design a survey strategy
• Apply a variety of survey methods including data collection and processing

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Plan, design and implement data collection and presentation.
• Learn and apply new practical and theoretical skills
• Produce academic/commercial standard reports and presentations

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate different research strategies
• Identify appropriate methodologies matched to site type, materials and condition
• Undertake independent research in the above areas in the execution of a field survey

Terrestrial methods:

• Total Station, RTK GPS,
• Drone AAV,
• Photogrammetry
• Laser Scanning
• Traditional hand survey

Underwater Methods

• 3D recording
• Photography & Video
• Traditional hand survey
• Excavation, airlift, water dredge

Archaeological Illustration

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Practical workshops
• Student presentations
• Discussion seminars
• Fieldtrips/Fieldwork

Learning methods include:

• Directed learning through lectures/seminars
• Guided practical instruction
• Independent practical survey work
• Completion of portfolio items
• Use of online resources
• Use of library resources

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Historic England. Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment: The MoRPHE Project Managers' Guide..

Journal Articles

Tomalin, D., Simpson, P. & Bingeman, J. M. (2000). Excavation versus sustainability in situ: a conclusion on 25 years of archaeological investigations at Goose Rock, a designated historic wreck-site at the Needles, Isle of Wight, England. IJNA, 29(1), pp. 3--42.

Foley, B., Adams, J., Piechota, D., Giangrande, C. (2000). The Discoveries of ancient history in the deep sea using advanced deep submergence technology. Deep-Sea Research, 1, pp. 1591-1620.

Firth, A (1993). The Management of Archaeology Underwater. Archaeological resource management in the UK: An Introduction.

Bingham, B., Mindell, D., Wilcox, T & A. Bowen (2006). Integrating precision relative positioning into JASON/MEDEA ROV operations. Marine Technology Society (MTS) Journal, 40(1), pp. 87-96.

Ferrari, B. & Adams, J. (1990). Biogenic modification of marine sediments and their influence on archaeological material. IJNA, 19(2), pp. 139-151.

Singh, H., Adams, J., Mindell, D. & Foley, B. (2000). Imaging Underwater for Archaeology. Journal of Field Archaeology, 27(3), pp. 319-328.

Adams, J. (2002). Excavation methods under water. Encyclopaedia of Historical Archaeology, pp. 192-196.

Textbooks

Ransley, J., Sturt, F., Dix, J.K., Adams, J. & Blue, L. (2013). People and the Sea. A Maritime Archaeological Research Agenda for England. York: English Heritage/Council for British Archaeology.

Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (1998). Code of Practice for Seabed Developers.. int Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee/RCHME.

Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (1993). Still at Sea.

Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (1989). Heritage at Sea: Proposals for the Better Protection of Archaeological Sites Underwater. London: JNAPC/National Maritime Museum.

Muckelroy, K (1978). Maritime Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Green, J. (2009). Maritime Archaeology, a Technical Handbook. London: Academic Press.

Adams, J. (2013). A Maritime Archaeology of Ships. Innovation and Social Change in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Oxford: Oxbow Books.

Bowens, A. (ed.) (2008). Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice. Oxford: Blackwell.

Assessment strategy

Informal feedback will provided throughout the module via lectures, practicals, seminars, workshops and tutor supervision. Detailed and constructive written feedback will be given for all assignments submitted.

The module assessment revolves around the application of maritime archaeological thinking and techniques, to real-world situations. Students will select five portfolio outputs from a given list (example below), and complete the tasks required over the duration of the course. The portfolio tasks will comprise a mixture of written and practical elements to demonstrate analysis, and the application of techniques. Some of the tasks will be based upon field trips to appraise archaeological sites, while others will be based on objects/artefacts held within the archaeology department. Where practical, diving work will be included in a manner that assesses archaeological output, not diving technique.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External