News
Marine Antiquities Scheme nets 100 finds in first year
More than 100 archaeological and historical marine finds have been submitted during the first year of the Marine Antiquities Scheme. This is an initiative launched to protect and improve our knowledge of the nation’s underwater heritage by encouraging the voluntary recording of items found in English and Welsh waters
A host of unique finds have been recorded by divers, beach walkers, recreational anglers and other marine users. Archaeological and historical discoveries ranging from Neolithic flints and Roman serving wares to post-medieval candlesticks and remnants of modern ordnances have been submitted, with location information and photographs of the items.
Launched in July 2016, the Marine Antiquities Scheme (MAS) is a joint initiative, funded by The Crown Estate, modelled on The British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and managed by Wessex Archaeology.
The scheme was established to enhance awareness of the nation’s marine heritage by helping characterise the archaeological nature of the marine environment. It also allows finders to learn more about their discoveries and gives the public access to data for research. The Crown Estate funds the MAS as part of its responsible management of the seabed and for the benefit it delivers in helping to derisk future opportunities using the seabed, such as offshore wind and other developments.
Central to MAS is a simple-to-use app that makes recording finds easy and gives finders immediate feedback, as well as instructions on their statutory obligations including the need to report wrecks to the Receiver of Wreck, an official of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Following the submission of a new find, a support team of archaeological experts undertake research on each item to learn more about its origins and history. The information is then published on the MAS database, which is accessible to anyone interested in the history hidden under the waves and provides opportunities for wider research.
To date, the majority of the finds have come from Kent and Essex, reflecting the especially active diving communities in those areas.
The Crown Estate’s senior development manager, Matthew Clear, said: “I am delighted that the MAS reached 100 finds in its first year, it is a clear sign that there is a strong appetite for the voluntary reporting of underwater discoveries. The positive uptake of the scheme by divers, fishermen, and other coastal visitors has delivered a wealth of information which supports our responsible management of the seabed, and aids us in derisking future opportunities and encouraging investment.”
Wessex Archaeology’s Toby Gane adds: “We have had some very interesting post-medieval ‘onion bottles’ dating to around 1700 and what looks like a German salt glazed stone wear jug from a similar period, along with later dated square gin bottles, and pottery finds from the 19th and 20th centuries.”
While many finds are newly discovered, the scheme also enables those with legacy finds, recovered and reported in previous years, to submit them to the MAS database.
One such find was a salt-glazed stoneware barrel costrel, almost certainly German and probably dating to the 17th century. It was originally recovered in 1966 during a dive at a depth of approximately 60 feet. It was found along with two lots of cannon, cannonballs and lead sheeting at a site near the Channel Islands.
More unusual items reported include the remnants of a ships funnel or ventilator that was to be used in an art exhibition and a symmetrical 19th century surgeon’s pestle.
The MAS app is available to download from relevant app stores for iOS and Android phones and tablets.
Finders can also submit information on-line via an electronic recording form located on the scheme’s website www.marinefinds.org.uk.
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
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