Applied Maritime Archaeology

Module overview

This fifteen credit module will introduce you to the theoretical, ethical, logistic, technical and legislative issues that have to be addressed if the theory and practice of archaeology are to be successfully applied in the investigation of sites underwater and/or in the coastal zone. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the logistical aspects of excavation strategy, as well as the equipment and techniques necessary for search, survey, excavation and recording underwater and/or in the inter-tidal/coastal zone. The course includes practical sessions on excavation and aspects of recording (see below). Non divers can participate on an equal footing to divers through alternative or associated activities related to recording and project supervision. This module is designed to underpin practical training and fieldwork, thereby complementing the more thematic approach explored in the first Semester Core Unit: ‘Maritime Aspects of Culture’. Assessment involves completing a portfolio of work that reflects the current requirements of applied maritime archaeology work in a professional context.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

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

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify appropriate methodologies matched to site type, materials and condition
Produce plans and other forms of output with the data from the above techniques
Evaluate a maritime site and design a survey strategy
Undertake independent research in the above areas in the execution of a field survey
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
Evaluate different research strategies

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
Completion of portfolio items
Use of online resources
Use of library resources

Study time
Type	Hours
Practical classes and workshops	14
Wider reading or practice	20
Preparation for scheduled sessions	10
Lecture	36
Demonstration	10
Completion of assessment task	50
Follow-up work	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

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

Journal Articles

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Textbooks

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Report	60%
Group presentation	40%

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