Discovering and Understanding Marine Archaeology

What marine heritage covers

The types of heritage involved include:

• submerged landscapes
• wrecks
• aviation crash sites
• dredged artefacts

Making new discoveries

Investigating the seabed has involved the techniques of marine archaeology, and archaeologists also take advantage of other sciences such as marine geology and dating.

With the growth in seabed development, such as the offshore renewables sector, important information can be gained from surveys carried out for these projects, and the fact that this new information should enrich our collective knowledge and understanding is captured in National Policy Statements and the UK Marine Policy Statement.

New knowledge can also come from both chance discoveries and voluntary archaeological activities by divers and, on Protected Historic Wreck Sites, through the work of Licensees.

Historic England's focus

What we do know is held in the maritime element of the National Record of the Historic Environment – maintained by Historic England, which has often relied on chance finds in the past. In recent years, we have been able to organise specific research projects to survey and investigate our seabed using marine archaeology techniques to enhance this record.

Historic England’s marine area of responsibility for recommending heritage assets for designation or managing such sites lies within the Territorial Sea Limit of England, i.e. 12 nautical miles from shore, giving an area in extent many times that of the land. Historic England is actively involved through marine planning, and we provide advice to Government, developers and individuals regarding the historic environment as might be found within the English inshore and offshore marine plan areas (i.e. to 200 nautical miles offshore or the median line with any adjacent maritime State).

Enhancing our understanding

Historic England helps to ensure that discoveries are recorded and assessed by developing protocols for reporting finds made, for example, by the Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment, and the wave and tidal energy industries. Historic England is also a major partner in research programmes to enhance our understanding of submerged landscapes around our coasts and seas, and sponsors research on known wreck sites and produces guidance based on our research.

To further deepen our understanding of attributing significance to post-1840 wrecks, we commissioned consultants Fjordr to research a possible methodology for the national importance of post-1840 cargo vessels, which are a common type of wrecked vessel encountered in English waters. The study focused on the Tees area.

We have also commissioned research into understanding more about the social and economic value of the marine historic environment, to help us further promote these values.

We commissioned a survey and resulting report to increase understanding of a potential Roman shipwreck site at Pudding Pan, off the Kent coast. Please note that this initial report will appear in the Research Reports Series database in due course.

Research encourages protection and accessibility

Founded on research, Historic England’s advice, for example, on Marine Licensing and England’s Historic Environment and Ports and the Historic Environment, helps avoid potential damage to marine archaeology. We have also commissioned research on best practice for historic environment activities in Marine Conservation Zones.

We commissioned research to assess how to enhance the protection of underwater heritage assets against heritage crime, as well as a project to produce a Common Enforcement Manual (CEM) for Heritage Crime at Sea. The CEM provides easy access to the substance of the regulatory framework in England and bespoke operational protocol for observation, investigation, and interdiction (if permissible) and communication with relevant organisations.