4.4 Coastal archaeology
The coast of England, comprising inshore waters, the intertidal zone, river estuaries, the seashore, and its immediate hinterland, contain a rich, diverse, and vulnerable archaeological heritage. These remains include submerged prehistoric landscapes, inundated as sea-levels have risen since the last ice age, which exhibit far better levels of preservation than their terrestrial counterparts. In addition, the coastal zone contains numerous ship wrecks and maritime archaeological sites and historic buildings, which provide a record of our historic relationship with the sea, and our development as a sea-going island nation.
In early 1997 English Heritage and the RCHME jointly published England's coastal heritage. Among its conclusions, the report highlighted the urgent need for further survey in the coastal zone, identifying a series of regional and thematic priorities. It also underlined the considerable scale of the task involved. During 1997 98 we have given further thought to the means by which coastal survey should be taken forward and has commissioned several studies to provide a platform for future work.
Foremost among these was a strategic review of the ongoing programme of government-sponsored Shoreline Management Plans, which was commissioned from Wessex Archaeology. The purpose of these plans is to provide the basis for sustainable coastal defence nationally by means of identifying shoreline management objectives for discrete lengths of the coastline defined on a sedimentological basis. In order to define these objectives, the plans consider the future evolution of the coast and the impact of that evolution on a wide range of assets. These assets include human and economic features, such as modern settlements and industries, together with aspects of the natural and historic environment. In broad terms, the process of plan production will lead to a decision on whether actively to defend or advance the coast, passively permit its erosion, or actively manage its retreat.
The Wessex Archaeology study was commissioned to fulfil two basic purposes: to examine the quality of the archaeological input into Shoreline Management Plans, in order to identify best practice and make recommendations for standards in future plans, and to capture the data contained within the plans on rates of erosion and the preferred shoreline management response, in order to identify those lengths of the open coast under greatest threat from erosion and to allow English Heritage, the RCHME, and others to target their survey programmes as effectively as possible. The study, which will be completed in autumn 1998, has involved the analysis of all available Shoreline Management Plans, a questionnaire directed to coastal archaeological curators, coastal engineers, and plan consultants, and a seminar for interested parties. Preliminary findings have highlighted major variations in the quality of the archaeological content of plans, underlining the need for improved guidelines and agreed standards.
The 1997 report identified a number of estuaries as candidates for survey, but accorded the greatest priority to work in the Thames Estuary, on the basis of its undoubted archaeological potential coupled with intense development pressure and projected rates of sea-level rise that are unparalleled nationally. In order to define regional priorities and structure survey effort, English Heritage agreed to part-sponsor the production of An archaeological research framework for the Greater Thames Estuary. Production of the framework document was a collaborative venture between Essex and Kent County Council archaeology sections, English Heritage, and the RCHME and built on work previously undertaken for the Thames Estuary Management Plan. The framework comprises a comprehensive resource assessment and research agenda, together with a strategy for future research work in the estuary and a very full bibliography. A consultation draft of document is due for release in summer 1998 and project proposals for survey work in 1999 are already being prepared.
The impact of the England's coastal heritage has been considerable, and during 1997 98 English Heritage has been pleased to note the influence of its recommendations on the work of coastal managers elsewhere, including the strategic framework for the Solent and the emerging Dorset coastal strategy, and also on private sector developers. The need to recognise the significance of our coastal archaeological remains has continued to be promoted by English Heritage, the RCHME, and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers at a number of key venues, including the 1997 meeting of the National Coasts and Estuaries Advisory Group (which was sponsored by the two heritage agencies), in evidence to the Agriculture Select Committee on Coastal Defence, and by means of a presentation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food's Coastal Protection Research and Development Panel. English Heritage has also continued to promote the public's understanding of coastal archaeology, and in 1997 funded publication by the Isle of Wight Council of Time and tide, an accessible account of the major coastal survey undertaken by the council's archaeological unit at Wootton-Quarr on the north-east coast of the island. Publication of this booklet coincided with the completion of the analysis phase of the project, which is intended for publication as an English Heritage monograph.