Wessex Archaeology

Protocol for reporting finds of archaeological interest

Full text

Prepared by

August 2005

Purpose

In 2003, the British Marine Aggregate ProducersAssociation (BMAPA) and English Heritage (EH)jointly published Marine Aggregate Dredging andthe Historic Environment: Guidance Note. TheGuidance Note sets out the character andimportance of the marine historic environment,and describes best practice in dealing witharchaeological matters in the course of planningmarine aggregate dredging.

The Guidance Note includes details of measuresto mitigate the effect of marine aggregatedredging on the historic environment, includingthe implementation of protocols to report anddeal with finds made in the course of dredging.

Rather than have many different protocols, eachdesigned for different dredging areas andpotentially with varying provisions, BMAPA andEnglish Heritage decided it would be preferableto have a single unifying protocol applicable toall dredging areas, vessels and wharves. Theexistence of a single protocol would ensureconsistency and therefore encourageparticipation by everybody involved in themarine aggregate dredging industry. Consistencywould also make it easier for archaeologists and

other relevant parties to provide appropriateadvice.

The aim of the Protocol is to reduce any adverseeffects of marine aggregate dredging on thehistoric environment by enabling people workingin the industry to report their finds in a mannerthat is convenient and effective.

The archaeological finds made by aggregateworkers are important because they shed lighton our predecessor’s use of the sea and seabed.The information that these finds bring to lighthelps archaeologists to better understand whathappened in times long (and not so long) ago. Italso allows archaeologists to better protectaspects of our history that should be conservedon behalf of future generations. Archaeologicalfinds from the seabed also help the public tocatch a glimpse of the past in an otherwiseunfathomable environment.

Further information about marine aggregatedredging and the historic information is set outin Marine Aggregate Dredging and the HistoricEnvironment: Guidance Note (BMAPA/EnglishHeritage 2003).

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British Marine Aggregate Producers Associationand

English Heritage

Protocolfor

reporting finds of archaeological interest

August 2005

prepared byWessex Archaeology

Circumstances of Discovery

This Protocol addresses finds of archaeologicalinterest made in the following circumstances:

Scope

This Protocol is intended to address aggregatesdredged from the seabed off England, or landedin England. While the general principles arerelevant to marine aggregate dredgingthroughout the UK Continental Shelf, specificarrangements may apply in Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ireland in respect marine aggregatedredging.

This Protocol has been developed by the BritishMarine Aggregate Producers’ Association (BMAPA)and English Heritage (EH). It applies toAggregate Dredging Companies that are membersof BMAPA, and to such other Companies thatformally agree to abide by its provisions; bothBMAPA members and such other Companies arereferred to collectively as ‘Companies’throughout the Protocol.

This Protocol sets out best practice in thereporting of finds of archaeological interest. The

principles that are set out in this document canbe applied equally on a voluntary basis byindividual Companies, or be used to structuremore formal reporting requirements as part oflicence conditions. BMAPA member companieshave voluntarily committed to implementing theProtocol across all existing operations,irrespective of whether formal requirementsexist or not.

At all times the responsibility for implementingthis Protocol rests with the licensee of the areabeing dredged. This applies equally to Companyvessels dredging the licence area and toCompany-operated wharf facilities that receiveand process aggregate from each licence.Licensees will also be responsible for drawingthird parties’ attention to the requirements ofthis Protocol, where dredging or wharfoperations are undertaken externally. In theseinstances, licensees are encouraged to ensurethird-party compliance with the requirements ofthe Protocol, so far as is possible under thespecific contractual arrangements in place.

Companies may wish to obtain assistance inimplementing this Protocol by employing theservices of suitably experienced archaeologicalcontractors/consultants.

Monitoring this Protocol

In January each year, each Company shall submitto English Heritage a report on theimplementation of this Protocol in the precedingcalendar year. The report shall be prepared bythe Nominated Contact, and shall also include anaccount of dredging areas from which no reportshave been made in that year. Companies thatare members of BMAPA may choose to monitorimplementation of the Protocol by way of asingle report submitted by BMAPA on the basis ofinformation provided by each Company’sNominated Contact.

Raising Awareness

BMAPA and English Heritage shall undertake aprogramme of education and awareness-raisingto accompany the introduction of this Protocol.

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Discoveries onthe seabed

an anomaly (such asresistance on the dragheador interruption in the flowof aggregate) indicates thatan object or structure hasbeen encountered on theseabed.

Discoveries onboard

a find of archaeologicalinterest is made on thedredging vessel, eitherwithin the cargo or trappedin the dredge gear (draghead, screens etc.).

Discoveries atwharves

a find of archaeologicalinterest is made at a wharfwithin the discharged cargo,on the screens used forprocessing aggregate, on theprocessed material or rejectstone piles, or on debrismagnets.

Introduction

The Protocol has been designed to deal withdiscoveries made on the seabed, onboard and atwharves. A separate – but similar – series ofactions applies in each case.

The Protocol anticipates discoveries being madeby Staff, who report to a Site Champion on theirvessel or wharf, who then reports to aNominated Contact acting for the Company as awhole. The Nominated Contact for the Companywill liaise with English Heritage.

Terms and Roles

Nominated Contact

Each Company shall nominate one of their staffto act as the single point of contact for allcommunications regarding archaeology, referredto as the Nominated Contact.

The Nominated Contact will be issued with acopy of this document.

Site Champions

The Nominated Contact will, for each site orvessel operated by the Company, identify a SiteChampion to act as a first point of contact forstaff, and to liaise with the Nominated Contactin respect of the operation of the Protocol atthat site. On vessels, the Site Champion willnormally be the Master, though this need notpreclude Companies from identifying analternative member of staff.

The name and contact details of the SiteChampion shall be written on the Posteraccompanying this Protocol (see below).

Site Champions will be issued with a Flow Chartsetting out the actions to be taken when theyare told about a discovery.

All Staff

Companies shall draw the attention of allrelevant staff to the potential for archaeologicalmaterial to be found in the course of aggregatedredging and inform them of the possibleimportance of such finds.

Each Company shall display copies of the Posteraccompanying this Protocol on dredging vesselsand at aggregate wharves.

Vessels and Wharves Managed by OtherOperators

There may be instances where third partyvessels and wharves may either dredge orreceive aggregate from a licence area subject tothis Protocol (i.e. managed by a BMAPA membercompany). In these cases, the licensee shoulddraw the third party’s attention to therequirements of this Protocol, with a requestthat equivalent provisions for reportingdiscoveries be made – subject to the specificcontractual arrangements in place.

English Heritage

English Heritage shall be the principalarchaeological contact for each Company’sNominated Contact. English Heritage shall:

• advise on the identification of finds andthe character of their seabed locations;

• advise on material conservation of anyrecovered finds;

• liaise with other archaeological authoritiesand the Receiver of Wreck;

• liaise with The Crown Estate, in theircapacity as landowner;

• advise on proposals to further evaluateany finds;

• advise on proposals to mitigate the effectsof dredging on any finds.

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The Protocol

Timing

The Protocol requires actions to be taken by thevarious parties. The timescales within whichthese actions are taken may be critical tosafeguarding finds of archaeological interest,and to avoiding unreasonable disruption tocommercial operations.

Where Staff or an Officer on Watch noticesomething on a vessel, it is important that actionis taken immediately. The precise position on theseabed of a find or anomaly will be a key pieceof information. The occurrence should be notedand brought to the attention of the Master / SiteChampion straight away, so that positions can becalculated. It is important that positions arecalculated before any more dredging passes aremade in the vicinity of the anomaly / suspectedfind. Time may also be of the essence inchecking the dredging gear for any artefacts thatmay have become lodged in the draghead orscreens.

Where staff notice something on a wharf, thekey concerns are to safeguard artefacts beforethey are lost within the volume of materialbeing processed, and to establish the cargo – andhence the vessel and the area of seabed – thatthe find originated from. Immediate notificationof the Site Champion is required.

The Site Champion will be able to take theactions necessary to safeguard finds, andinformation relating to them, in the short term.It is important, however, that information ispassed on promptly so that decisions – whichmay have operational implications – can betaken for the medium term. It is expected thatthe Site Champion will inform the NominatedContact on the same working day that a find ismade.

On receiving a report, the Nominated Contacthas a number of obligations that requirediscussion with third parties, and regardingwhich the Nominated Contact may wish to takeadvice. Nonetheless, it is expected that theNominated Contact will inform English Heritagewithin two working days of receiving informationfrom the Site Champion. Where the NominatedContact is absent, Companies are expected toprovide a deputy fully capable of carrying outthe role.

Actions taken by Companies to safeguard findsmay constrain their operations. In order thatsuch constraints be removed as swiftly aspossible if they are not merited onarchaeological grounds, it is important thatCompanies receive archaeological advicepromptly. For their part, English Heritage maywant to obtain specialist advice, on specificfinds and their treatment for example. It isexpected that English Heritage will provideinitial formal advice to the Nominated Contactwithin two working days of receiving informationfrom the Nominated Contact.

In view of these arrangements, the overalltimescale between a find occurring, and formalarchaeological advice being provided, should beno more than five working days.

If anyone finds or takes possession of wreck,they are committing an offence if they do notreport it to the Receiver (Merchant Shipping Act1995 s. 236). Although the Act does not state atime limit within which notification must occur,it is a matter of policy that the Receiver expectsto be notified within 28 days of the findoccurring.

Types of Find

‘Finds’ are considered here to mean all forms ofartefact that can be found on the seabed. To bean artefact, the thing must have been made,modified, used or transported by people, i.e.their presence on the seabed is ‘artificial’ or‘cultural’ rather than ‘natural’.

For legal purposes, finds from the seabed fallinto two categories. ‘Wreck’ has a specific legaldefinition broadly encompassing all sorts ofmaterials that came to be on the seabed as adirect result of once being aboard or part of avessel.

All other finds are referred to here as ‘non-wreck’. ‘Non-wreck’ includes things such asprehistoric flint artefacts that were lost on landthat has since become submerged by rising sealevel, or artefacts that have been eroded fromsites on the shore.

A third category of find, ‘treasure’ as defined bythe Treasure Act 1996, is not relevant to thisProtocol, as the Treasure Act is limited in itsapplication to land above mean low water.

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Ownership of Wreck

Statutory law relating to ‘wreck’ is set outprincipally in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.The common law relating to wreck is to be foundin legal cases and commentaries.

All wreck is presumed to have an owner, andownership is not lost through the passage oftime. It is a legal requirement under section 236of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 that wreckmaterial be reported to the Receiver of Wreck,in order to establish ownership and settlesalvage claims. If ownership cannot beestablished by the Receiver within one year ofreceipt of the report, the wreck becomes‘unclaimed wreck’.

Original Owners

Owners of wreck who are able to prove theirownership to the satisfaction of the Receiver ofWreck are entitled to have their propertyreturned to them on payment of a salvageaward.

Unclaimed Wreck in Territorial Waters

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, wreckthat is found in Territorial Waters and is notclaimed within a year automatically becomes theproperty of the Crown. In some areas – usuallyclose to the shore – the Crown’s right tounclaimed wreck has been granted to anotherbeneficiary.

Unclaimed Wreck on the UK Continental ShelfBeyond Territorial Waters

The stipulations of the Merchant Shipping Act1995 apply to all wreck that is brought within UKterritorial waters, irrespective of where it wasrecovered. However, the provisions in respect ofCrown ownership apply only to wreck recoveredfrom territorial waters. Wreck recovered fromoutside UK territorial waters that remainsunclaimed after one year of reporting is notclaimed by the Crown, and in mostcircumstances will be returned to the finderonce any expenses incurred have been settled.

Ownership of Non-Wreck

The law applicable to ‘non-wreck’ is largelycommon law, to be found in legal cases andcommentaries.

Original Owners

Finds that are successfully claimed by theirowners continue to belong to that owner, thoughthe owner may be obliged to reward the finderfor having found and returned their property.

Unclaimed Non-wreck Material in TerritorialWaters

On land, archaeological material is considered tobelong to the owner of the land in which it wasfound. The Crown generally owns the seabedwithin territorial waters, hence unclaimed non-wreck material found within territorial waters isconsidered to belong to the Crown. In somecases a party other than the Crown owns theseabed, and in such instances unclaimed non-wreck material will be considered to belong tothat party.

Unclaimed Non-wreck on the UK ContinentalShelf Beyond Territorial Waters

While the Crown generally owns the seabedwithin territorial waters, its interest in theseabed beyond territorial waters to the limits ofthe UK Continental Shelf is limited to sovereignrights to explore and exploit its naturalresources. These rights do not extend to finds onthe UKCS, hence unclaimed non-wreck on theUKCS beyond Territorial Waters is considered tobelong to the finder.

Non-wreck in Marine Aggregate Licence Areas

In the case of marine aggregates, extractionactivity is licensed by The Crown Estate. Throughthis license, ownership of mineral resources (andany associated non-wreck material) present onthe seabed is transferred to the licensee oncethe material is raised. Any non-wreck materialdiscovered on board the dredging vessel or atthe wharf will therefore become theresponsibility of the licensee.

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Discoveries on the Seabed

Tell the Site Champion

If an anomaly such as resistance on the dragheador interruption in the flow of aggregate indicatesthat an object or structure has beenencountered on the seabed, the Officer onWatch shall inform the Master, who will normallybe the Site Champion.

Where it is possible to identify the position ofthe anomaly, the Officer on Watch shall avoidmaking additional dredging passes in the vicinityof the seabed location until archaeologicaladvice has been obtained.

The Officer on Watch will arrange for dredginggear to be examined as soon as possible to see ifany archaeological material is trapped within it,and will inform the Master accordingly.

Actions by the Master (Site Champion)

The Master shall note the occurrence as soon as

possible in the vessel’s log together with thetime and exact vessel position. Where possible,the log entry should include a closeapproximation of the original position of theanomaly on the seabed. Additionally, the areashall be marked on navigational software.The Master shall compile a preliminary record ofthe occurrence, as shown below.

The Master shall inform the Nominated Contactof the occurrence as soon as possible and passon all available information, including a copy ofthe Preliminary Record and copies of anyphotographs, drawings or other records thathave been made.

If any finds have been recovered, the Mastershall arrange for them to be immersed inseawater in a suitable clean container, whichshould be covered. Any rust, concretion ormarine growth should not be removed.

If no archaeological material has beenrecovered, then no additional actions arerequired of staff on the vessel.

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Vessel Name:

Dredging Area:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Master/Site Champion):

Name of Officer on Watch:

Name of finder (if different to above):

Time at which anomaly encountered:

Vessel position at time when anomaly was encountered:

Original position of the anomaly on the seabed:

Notes on likely accuracy of original position stated above:

Description of the anomaly:

Apparent extent of the anomaly:

Details of examination of dredging gear:

Were any finds recovered?:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

There is a record form at the back of these notes that can be photocopied and filled-in.

Discoveries on the Seabed: Preliminary Record

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Discoveries on Board

Tell the Site Champion

If a find of archaeological interest is made onboard the dredging vessel, either within thecargo or trapped in the dredge gear (drag head,screens etc.), the vessel staff should inform theOfficer on Watch. The Officer on Watch shallinform the Master, who will normally be the SiteChampion.

Where it is possible to identify the seabedposition from which the find originated, theOfficer on Watch shall avoid making additionaldredging passes in the vicinity of the seabedlocation until archaeological advice has beenobtained.

Actions by the Master (Site Champion)

The Master shall note the occurrence as soon aspossible in the vessel’s log together with thetime and exact position. The log entry shouldinclude a close approximation of the originalposition of the find/anomaly on the seabed.Additionally, the area shall be marked onnavigational software.

The Master shall compile a preliminary record ofthe occurrence, as shown below.

The Master shall inform the Nominated Contactof the occurrence as soon as possible and passon all available information, including a copy ofthe Preliminary Record and copies of anyphotographs, drawings or other records thathave been made.

The Master shall arrange for the find to beimmersed in seawater in a suitable cleancontainer, which should be covered. Any rust,concretion or marine growth should not beremoved.

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Vessel Name:

Dredging Area:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Master/Site Champion):

Name of Officer on Watch:

Name of finder (if different to above):

Time at which find(s) made:

Vessel position at time of making find:

Original position of the find(s) on the seabed:

Notes on likely accuracy of original position stated above:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

There is a record form at the back of these notes that can be photocopied and filled-in.

Discoveries on Board: Preliminary Record

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Discoveries at Wharves

Tell the Site Champion

In the event that a find of archaeologicalinterest is made on the screens used forprocessing aggregate, on reject stone piles, oron debris magnets, the wharf staff shall informthe Site Champion

Actions by the Site Champion

The Site Champion shall note the occurrence assoon as possible and compile a preliminaryrecord of the occurrence, as shown below.

The Site Champion shall inform the NominatedContact of the find as soon as possible and passon all available information, including a copy ofthe Preliminary Record and copies of anyphotographs, drawings or other records thathave been made.

The Site Champion shall arrange for the find tobe immersed in seawater in a suitable cleancontainer, which should be covered. Any rust,concretion or marine growth should not beremoved.

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Wharf Name:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Site Champion):

Name of finder:

Time at which find(s) made:

Name of vessel from which aggregate originated:

Name of dredging area from which aggregate originated:

Date on which aggregate dredged:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

Discoveries at Wharf: Preliminary Record

There is a record form at the back of these notes that can be photocopied and filled-in.

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Actions by the NominatedContact

Inform English Heritage

Once informed of a find by a Site Champion, theNominated Contact shall inform English Heritageas soon as possible.

The Nominated Contact will confirm with theSite Champion that all the details set out in thePreliminary Record are comprehensive andcorrect. The Nominated Contact shall pass on toEnglish Heritage all available informationrelating to the circumstances of the occurrence,including a copy of the Preliminary Record andcopies of any photographs, drawings or otherrecords that have been made.

English Heritage should be contacted through itsMaritime Team, as follows:

Advise Other Dredgers

Where relevant, the Nominated Contact shallinform other vessels dredging in the area fromwhich the find is thought to have been dredged.Such other vessels shall be advised by theNominated Contact to keep a particular watchfor anomalies and finds.

Implement Temporary Exclusion Zone

Where the position of an anomaly or find isreasonably certain, the Nominated Contact shallimplement a temporary exclusion zone to ensureall dredging operations by the Company areexcluded until archaeological advice has beenobtained.

Where other Companies are dredging in thesame area the Nominated Contact of theCompany making the find will inform theNominated Contacts in the other Companies thata temporary exclusion zones has beenintroduced.

Further details of the use of exclusion zones asmitigation are set out in Annex II.

If Any Finds Have Been Recovered…

The Nominated Contact shall make anyrecovered finds available for inspection byEnglish Heritage.

If the find is, or appears to be ‘wreck’, theNominated Contact shall as soon as possible givenotice that a find has been recovered to theReceiver of Wreck in accordance with Section236(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. This isa legal requirement.

The Receiver of Wreck can be contacted asfollows:

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English Heritage Maritime TeamFort Cumberland Tel: 023 9285 6735Eastney Fax: 023 9285 6701PORTSMOUTH Email: maritime@English-heritage.org.ukPO4 9LD Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Receiver of WreckSpring Place Tel: 023 8032 9474105 Commercial Road Fax: 023 8032 9477SOUTHAMPTON Email: row@mega. gov.ukSO15 1EG Web: www.mega.gov.uk/row

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Actions by English Heritage

Advice

English Heritage shall advise the NominatedContact of any such further actions as might berequired, including:

• advice on immediate actions to be takenin respect of the find;

• advice on the identification of finds andthe character of their seabed locations;

• advice on proposals to further evaluateany finds;

• advice on proposals to mitigate the effectsof dredging on any finds.

Liaison

English Heritage shall liaise, as appropriate,with:

• the relevant regional office of EnglishHeritage;

• the relevant local governmentarchaeological officer(s);

• the relevant Portable Antiquity Officer;

• the Receiver of Wreck;

• the Ministry of Defence;

• The Crown Estate;

• other individuals/institutions havingpreviously declared an interest to theCompany.

English Heritage shall take account of the viewsof the above and inform them of subsequentactions.

English Heritage shall pass details of the find,and subsequent data, to the National MonumentsRecord (NMR) and to the appropriate localHistoric Environment Record(s).

If Any Finds Have Been Recovered…

English Heritage shall make arrangements for theCompany to hold in possession any recoveredfinds, subject – in the case of wreck – toagreement with the Receiver of Wreck.

English Heritage shall advise the Company on anyadditional work required to stabilise, conserve orrecord recovered finds. The Company mayregard any such additional work as a service andseek to recover any costs from the owner of thefind.

English Heritage shall advise the Company on theimplementation of procedures for resolvingownership and for disposing of any finds.

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Rubber, Plastic etc.

In most cases, rubber, plastic, bakelite andsimilar modern materials are not ofarchaeological interest and can be disregarded.

One exception is where such materials are foundin the same area as aluminium objects andstructures, which may indicate aircraft wreckagefrom World War Two. Such material should bereported.

Iron and Steel

The potential range and date of iron and steelobjects is so wide that it is difficult to providegeneral guidance. In broad terms, iron and steelobjects which are covered by a thick amorphousconcrete-like coating (‘concretion’) are likely tobe of archaeological interest and should bereported.

Pieces of metal sheet and structure may indicatea wreck and should be reported.

A Munitions Code of Practice applies in respectof ordnance (cannonballs, bullets, shells) whichshould take precedence over archaeologicalrequirements. However, discoveries of ordnancemay be of archaeological interest, and theyshould be reported.

Other Metals

Items made of thin, tinned or painted metalsheet are unlikely to be of archaeologicalinterest.

Aluminium objects may indicate aircraftwreckage from World War Two, especially if twoor more pieces of aluminium are fixed togetherby rivets. All occurrences should be reported.

Copper and copper alloy (bronze, brass) objectsmight indicate a wreck, or they may be very old.All occurrences should be reported.

Precious metal objects and coins are definitelyof archaeological interest because they arerelatively easy to date. All occurrences should bereported.

Bone

Occasional discoveries of animal bone, teeth andtusks are of archaeological interest because theymay date to periods when the seabed formeddry land, and should be reported. Such bones,teeth, tusks etc. may have signs of damage,breaking or cutting that can be directlyattributed to human activity.

Large quantities of animal bone may indicate awreck (the remains of cargo or provisions) andshould be reported.

Human bone is definitely of archaeologicalinterest, and is also subject to special legalrequirements under the Burial Act 1857. Anysuspected human bone should be reported, andtreated with discretion and respect.

Objects made out of bone – such as combs,harpoon points or decorative items – can be veryold and are definitely of archaeological interest.All occurrences should be reported.

Wood

Light coloured wood, or wood that floats easily,is probably modern and is unlikely to be ofarchaeological interest.

‘Roundwood’ with bark – such as branches – isunlikely to be of archaeological interest.However, roundwood that has clearly beenshaped or made into a point should be reported.

Pieces of wood that have been shaped or jointedmay be of archaeological interest, especially iffixed with wooden pegs, bolts or nails. Alloccurrences should be reported.

Objects made out of dark, waterlogged wood –such as bowls, handles, shafts and so on – can bevery old and are definitely of archaeologicalinterest. All occurrences should be reported.

Stone

Small to medium size stones that are shaped,polished and/or pierced may be prehistoric axes.All occurrences should be reported.

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Annex I: Guidelines for Identifying Finds of Archaeological Interest

Objects such as axe heads or knife blades madefrom flint are of prehistoric date and should bereported.

Large blocks of stone that have been pierced orshaped may have been used as anchors orweights for fishing nets. All occurrences shouldbe reported.

The recovery of numerous stones may indicatethe ballast mound of a wreck, or a navigationalcairn. All occurrences should be reported.

Pottery

Any fragment of pottery is potentially ofinterest, especially if it is a large fragment.Items which look like modern crockery can bediscarded, but if the item has an unusual shape,glaze or fabric it should be reported.

Brick

Bricks with modern proportions and v-shapedhollows (‘frogs’) are of no archaeologicalinterest. Unfrogged, ‘small’, ‘thin’ or otherwiseunusual bricks may date back to Medieval oreven Roman times and should be reported.

Peat and Clay

Peat is black or brown fibrous soil that formedwhen sea level was so low that the seabedformed marshy land, on the banks of a river or

estuary for example. The peat is made up ofplant remains, and also contains microscopicremains that can provide information about theenvironment at the time it was formed. Thisinformation helps us to understand the kind oflandscape that our predecessors inhabited, andabout how their landscape changed. It can alsoprovide information about rising sea-level andcoastline change, which are important tounderstanding processes that are affecting ustoday.

Prehistoric structures (such as woodentrackways) and artefacts are often found withinor near peat, because our predecessors used themany resources that these marshy areascontained. As these areas were waterlogged, andhave continued to be waterlogged because thesea has risen, ‘organic’ artefacts made of wood,leather, textile and so on often survive togetherwith the stone and pottery which are found on‘dry’ sites.

Fine-grained sediments such as silts and claysare often found at the same places as peat.These fine-grained sediments also contain themicroscopic remains that can provideinformation about past environments and sea-level change.

While aggregate dredging companies try to avoidthe places where peat and clay are foundbecause they contaminate the aggregate, anydiscoveries of such material would be ofarchaeological interest, and their occurrenceshould be reported.

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Temporary Exclusion Zones

Temporary exclusion zones (TEZs) will beimplemented by Nominated Contacts where theposition of an anomaly or find is reasonablycertain.

Where a TEZ has been introduced, it shallremain in place until the formal advice ofEnglish Heritage has been obtained.

Where a TEZ has been introduced, thesubsequent options are:

• for it to be revoked if it can be reasonablyconcluded that no important wreck orother feature on the seabed is present; or

• for it to be formalised in the longer termas an Archaeological Exclusion Zone (AEZ)if either:

– the presence of an important wreck orother feature on the seabed can bereasonably concluded;

– no conclusion can be drawn becausedata is insufficient and/or the Companydoes not wish to resolve the situationby further investigation.

If no Further Data is Available…

If no further data is available, the temporaryexclusion zone will be formalised as anArchaeological Exclusion Zone (AEZ) applicableto all dredging in the licence area.

If Additional Data is Available…

If additional data is available, the Company shallreview the available data in consultation withEnglish Heritage.

It may be advantageous for the Company toacquire data to inform its discussions withEnglish Heritage by, for example, geophysicalsurvey (and see ‘Additional archaeologicalinvestigations’, below).

If, on the basis of all the data, English Heritagethinks that it can be reasonably concluded thatthe anomaly and/or recovered finds indicatesthe presence of an important wreck or otherfeature on the seabed, then the temporaryexclusion zone will be formalised as an AEZ.

If, on the basis of all the data, English Heritagethinks it can be reasonably concluded that noimportant wreck or other feature on the seabedis present, then the Company may revoke thetemporary exclusion zone.

If English Heritage thinks that the available datais insufficient to reasonably conclude whether animportant wreck or other feature is present,then the Company can either formalise thetemporary exclusion zone as a precautionaryAEZ, or carry out additional archaeologicalinvestigations to resolve the situation.

Additional Archaeological Investigations

Additional archaeological investigations maycomprise, for example, inspection of thetemporary exclusion zone by archaeologists thatdive or use ROVs, or high-resolution geophysicalsurvey to a suitable archaeological specification.

Where additional archaeological investigationsare to be carried out, English Heritage shalladvise the Company of the specification for theinvestigation. On the basis of the specificationthe Company shall submit a Method Statementto English Heritage for its approval.

The Company shall carry out the investigation inaccordance with the approved MethodStatement.

The results of the investigation shall be reportedin writing to English Heritage.

The results of the investigation shall be reviewedby the Company in consultation with EnglishHeritage in order that the temporary exclusionzone be revoked, or formalised as an AEZ (see ‘Ifadditional data is available…’, above).

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Annex II: Mitigation

Archaeological Exclusion Zones (AEZs)

If a temporary exclusion zone is to be formalisedas an AEZ, Companies should seek advice on thespecification for the AEZ from English Heritage.Specifications may include provision for aprogramme to monitor the zone before, duringand after continued dredging in the vicinity ofthe AEZ.

On the basis of the specification the Companyshall submit an AEZ Design to English Heritagefor approval.

The Company will implement the AEZ inaccordance with the AEZ Design.

Other Forms of Mitigation

Subject to agreement with English Heritage, theCompany may institute a form of mitigationother than an AEZ (e.g. a programme ofarchaeological recording and/or recovery).

Statutory Protection

If a wreck or other feature lies within TerritorialWaters and is of sufficient archaeologicalimportance to warrant statutory protection,English Heritage shall advise the Company on theimplementation of procedures under theProtection of Wrecks Act 1973 or the AncientMonuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

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Discoveries on the Seabed: Preliminary Record Form

Vessel Name:

Dredging Area:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Master/Site Champion):

Name of Officer on Watch:

Name of finder (if different to above):

Time at which anomaly encountered:

Vessel position at time when anomaly was encountered:

Original position of the anomaly on the seabed:

Notes on likely accuracy of original position stated above:

Description of the anomaly:

Apparent extent of the anomaly:

Details of examination of dredging gear:

Were any finds recovered?:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

Signed: Date:

Aug 2005

Discoveries on Board: Preliminary Record Form

Vessel Name:

Dredging Area:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Master/Site Champion):

Name of Officer on Watch:

Name of finder (if different to above):

Time at which find(s) made:

Vessel position at time of making find(s):

Original position of find(s) on the seabed:

Notes on likely accuracy of original position stated above:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

Signed: Date:

Aug 2005

Discoveries at Wharf: Preliminary Record Form

Wharf Name:

Date:

Time of compiling information:

Name of compiler (Site Champion):

Name of finder:

Time at which find(s) made:

Name of vessel from which aggregate originated:

Name of dredging area from which aggregate originated:

Date on which aggregate was dredged:

Description of the find(s):

Details of photographs taken of the find(s):

Details of any drawings or other records made of the find(s):

Details of treatment given to find(s):

Any other notes:

Date and time at which Nominated Contact informed:

Signed: Date:

Aug 2005

Wessex Archaeology

BMAPA is one of the constituent bodies of the Quarry

Products Association, the trade association for the

aggregates, asphalt and ready-mixed concrete industries.

23 Savile Row

London W1S 2ET

Tel 020 7973 3002 Fax 020 7973 3001

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

www.english-heritage.org.uk

Head Office

Portway House, Old Sarum Park

Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 6EB

Tel 01722 326867 Fax 01722 337562

info@wessexarch.co.uk

www.wessexarch.co.uk

British Marine Aggregate Producers Association

Gillingham House, 38-44 Gillingham Street

London SW1V 1HU

Tel: 0207 963 8000 Fax: 0207 963 8001

bmapa@qpa.org www.bmapa.org