Driving into Maritime Archaeology

[BAJR Host]

A HLF grant enables HWTMA to become 'driving force' in heritage outreach with a maritime archaeology activity van. Archaeologists at Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology are excited to announce they have received over a third of a million pounds to promote greater public involvement in maritime archaeology.

This exciting three year project will focus around the creation of a
community outreach van which will be furnished with interactive
displays, information and hands on activities to make learning about
maritime heritage possible for all the community.

Archaeologists from Hampshire and Wight Trust have been working in the Solent region to promote understanding of maritime heritage for the last seventeen years. Education and outreach is very important to the work of HWTMA and they have worked continually with local groups to enable access to what can be 'hidden heritage' as it lies beneath the sea and on inaccessible muddy foreshores. HWTMA educational resources have now been internationally recognised with requests from as far afield as Australia and Canada.

The van will allow many more people to find out about the fascinating
archaeology that lies below the Solent and is scattered along rivers
throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Over the next three years
the van will become a popular attraction throughout the region as it
attends national public events such as the Education Show, as well as
more local events such as the New Forest Show. It will also be available for school visits, trips to community groups and is even hoping to pop in shopping centre car parks!

Alison Hamer Education Officer
Tel: 07751 877821 E-mail: alison.hamer@hwtma.org.uk

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology is a charity
which promotes interest, research and knowledge of maritime archaeology, with core activities based in the Solent region. Since 1991 the HWTMA has worked to preserve and record the submerged landscapes, shipwrecks and sites of national scientific archaeological interest.

For further details see: http://www.hwtma.org.uk

BAJR says :face-approve: but can I have 100 grand for a car, with books in the glove compartment and a selction of OS maps on the backseat - I promise to drive around ASDAs carpark! just kidding!


"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Oxbeast]

Don't forget that public interest in shipwrecks is at an all time low, and always has been. I mean, look how few people were interested in the Mary Rose, Newport ship, etc, etc.

[BAJR Host]

Its a problem, when you can't "see it" ... good point

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[Curator Kid]

I seem to remember that the last time members of the public took an active interest in a shipwreck, they were castigated in the press as a disgrace to the country, etc. etc. :face-stir:

[Oxbeast]

you mean that recent treasure hunter/salvage/pirates case?
I know what you mean about non-ship related maritime archaeology. I recently heard the director of the HWTMA talk about the preserved prehistoric landscapes/settlement site/probable Mesolithic building which they were recording in the Solent. Now that's the good stuff. Flint flakes found in situ stuck into wooden posts. In situ firepits, etc.

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

I thought that the raising of the Mary Rose generated a lot of public interest.

[Oxbeast]

Yes, it did, and led to the founding of HWTMA. I was being sarcastic; never a good idea on t'internet, and the lowest form of wit.

[Curator Kid]

Maybe there should be a sarcastic smilie added to the list? :face-huh:

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

"I was being sarcastic"
I actually looked up several web pages about the Mary Rose before posting! oops[:I]
Never really thought about maritime archaeology,bit to deep a subject for me[:0]