When people think of archaeology I’d wager that their first
thought goes to digging a big hole in the ground (more or less). Whilst this is
a huge part of archaeology (and arguably more fun than doing research in the
library…), there’s just so much more. With the introduction of more modern and
sophisticated types of technology, archaeologists are exploring the hidden past
in new and exciting ways.
One of these ways is underwater, and the archaeology
associated with watery contexts. First and foremost this can mean in the sea.
History is full of sunken ships – the map below shows just a few of the ships
sunk off the Cornish coast.
The advent of scuba diving means that archaeologists (and
anyone else!) can dive much deeper and for longer, in order to investigate the
history lying on the ocean floor. This is often called Maritime Archaeology, as
it investigates the history of maritime activity, although this discipline encompasses
much more than just shipwrecks. Underwater archaeology doesn’t have to mean
that any thoroughness or accuracy of data collection is lost – the below photo
is a brilliant example of dedication to accurate recording.
Of course, you don’t need a wetsuit and some scuba gear in
order to find archaeology in the water. In prehistory it was common for metal
items to be deposited in hoards – in either a watery context or buried in the
earth [3].
It’s been suggested that hoards were the result of storing wealth for
safe-keeping in times of trouble.
However, other hoards (especially those in water) are more
likely to have been deposited for religious or ritual reasons; water will
corrode metal – not great if you’re only trying to keep it safe. It’s also
interesting to think about the similarities to Arthurian legend, and the story
of the Lady of Lake offering Excalibur aloft – is this imagery a result of Iron
Age hoarding and ritual deposition?
Another hotspot for submerged archaeology is rivers. The
foreshore of the river Thames is the longest open-air archaeological site in
London (when the tide is out), with much of this being freely accessible to the
public. A fantastic project hosted by the Museum of London is the Thames Discovery
Programme, which is attempting to map and record all the foreshore archaeology.
The TDP have a great “Riverpedia” site, and anyone can volunteer to help observe
and record (provided that the requisite training days have been attended), as
well as join in on Guided Foreshore Walks.
I volunteered with the TDP for a couple of days, and it’s
some of the best fun you can have in London for free. Click here for more information about the TDP, or the Nautical Archaeology Society. And the next
time you’re talking about archaeology – remember it’s not just digging holes in
the dirt!
[1] Image from http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/maps/shipwrecks.htm
and if you’re walking along the SW coast path in Cornwall, there are several
watch-stations that have much more information about wrecks in the area.
[3] e.g. The Frome Hoard
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