Applied Maritime Archaeology

Module overview

This thirty credit module introduces the theoretical, ethical, logistical, technical and legislative issues involved in applying archaeological methods to underwater and coastal environments. It provides a broad grounding in the principles of maritime fieldwork, from survey design and project planning through to data acquisition, interpretation and reporting. Through case studies and applied instruction, students examine how archaeological strategies are developed for submerged and intertidal contexts. The module introduces terrestrial, coastal and marine survey approaches, including geospatial survey techniques and the principles of marine geophysical prospection, alongside practical training in site recording and documentation. Structured practical sessions and field-based exercises develop professional competencies in search, survey, recording and data management, including practical digital skills for data capture, visualisation and analysis. Non-divers participate on an equal footing through complementary roles in recording, survey coordination and project supervision. The module underpins practical training and fieldwork and complements the thematic perspectives explored in the Semester 1 core unit, Maritime Aspects of Culture. Assessment is composed of two linked components: a group presentation developing a survey plan and methodology, followed by an individual Written Scheme of Investigation (final report) analysing and interpreting survey outcomes in relation to the research questions and objectives.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

The organisational, logistical, health and safety, and project management frameworks necessary for professional maritime fieldwork.
The strategies, procedures and techniques of survey, excavation and recording in intertidal and underwater environments.
Post-fieldwork data processing, management, visualisation and interpretation, including geospatial datasets
The strengths and limitations of maritime fieldwork methods in different environmental and archaeological contexts.
The ethical and legislative frameworks within which responsible maritime archaeological fieldwork is carried out

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify appropriate methodologies matched to site type, materials and condition
Assess a maritime site and design an appropriate survey strategy based on research objectives and environmental conditions.
Process, interpret and present survey data using appropriate analytical and visualisation tools.
Apply a variety of survey methods including data collection and processing
Undertake independent research in the above areas in the execution of a field survey

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Evaluate different research strategies and methodological approaches.
Plan, design and implement data collection and presentation.
Critically evaluate and apply new practical, theoretical and digital skills.
Produce academic/commercial standard reports and presentations

Learning and Teaching

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 •Use of digital data resources including geospatial platforms •Use of library resources •Use of online resources

Study time
Type	Hours
Fieldwork	70
Practical classes and workshops	30
Independent Study	90
Preparation for scheduled sessions	30
Lecture	15
Completion of assessment task	65
Total study time	300

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

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

Journal Articles

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assessment

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 complete a group survey project and write up independent reports.

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Group presentation	40%
Report	60%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	60%
Presentation (Case study)	40%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Presentation (Case study)	40%
Report	60%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External