A desktop study and management plan for coastal archaeology.
Professor M.G. Fulford. Department of Archaeology, University of Reading
Professor T.C. Champion. Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton
Dr. A.J. Long. Department of Geography, University of Durham (formerly Department of Geography, University of Southampton)
Project aims.
The results.
Key management principles
General recommendations
Detailed recommendations on survey, recording and research.
The management of the coastal resource.
Bibliography.Aerial photograph of cliff-top Roman signal station at Scarborough, N. Yorks.
England's coastal zone contains a rich and diverse legacy of archaeological evidence which is vital for an understanding of our long-term relationship with the sea and of those maritime influences which have contributed to the forging of our identity as a major mercantile, industrial and imperial nation. This important resource is increasingly threatened by pressure for development along the coast, and by the natural processes of coastal evolution; future climate change also presents a major cause for concern. The Government has identified a need for an integrated approach to coastal zone management and planning which seeks to reconcile conflicting interests where they arise. To contribute to these and other debates, English Heritage and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) produced in 1993 a joint research brief for a rapid, desk-top assessment of the coastal archaeological and palaeoenvironmental resource and associated management issues, the results of which would form the basis of a strategic approach to its management. The brief dealt with post-Pleistocene, modern and projected future sea level change and its impact on the archaeological resources.
The aims of the project were as follows:
- to review and consolidate recorded archaeological information from coastal areas and to seek to characterize the nature of the resource
- to assess the nature and severity of threats to coastal archaeological remains
- to synthesize available evidence for historical sea-level change and to assess the implications of future change
- to examine the management frameworks for the coast and the management initiatives established by other agencies
- to recommend future survey and data collection priorities based on an assessment of the importance and vulnerability of coastal archaeological remains
- to make recommendations on ways to integrate heritage interests effectively into coastal zone management plans
- to review survey methodologies adopted in the inter-tidal zone, including the application of aerial photography
The project was concerned primarily with the archaeological remains eroding from the present coastline and those situated in the inter-tidal zone. The built heritage of the coast, such as harbour, industrial and military structures, was generally excluded, since these are the subject of other English Heritage initiatives. In addition, although the project did consider the broad implications of archaeological remains located in the sub-tidal zone, it did not attempt a full synthesis of maritime archaeology and its management needs.
The project was undertaken by the Universities of Reading and Southampton, with additional work carried out by the RCHME Air Photography Unit.
The full results of the survey are presented in a monograph (Fulford, Champion and Long, in press). This includes a detailed discussion of past and future sea-level changes and their implications for archaeology; conceptual models of human settlement at the coast; the environmental potential of coastal archaeology; survey methods for coastal research; overviews of the current state of knowledge of the archaeology of the coastal zone, by archaeological period and by geographical region; management structures relevant to coastal archaeology; and recommendations for survey, research and management.
A summary document presenting a policy statement by English Heritage and RCHME based on the results of this project and summarizing its conclusions has also been published (English Heritage 1996).
Five key principles were established as the basis for the management of the coastal archaeological resource as a whole. Further recommendations, both more detailed and more specific, covered survey, recording and future research.
- The coastal zone includes a finite, irreplaceable and, in many cases, highly fragile archaeological resource which, by virtue of its value, variety and vulnerability justifies a presumption in favour of the physical preservation in situ of the most important sites, buildings and remains.
- Although archaeological remains situated within the inter-tidal and sub-tidal areas may be less visible and accessible than remains on dry land, this does not affect their relative importance and they should be managed in accordance with the principles which apply to terrestrial remains.
- As historic landscapes can extend seamlessly from dry land, through the intertidal zone and into sub-tidal areas, effective management of the coastal resource cannot be achieved without due consideration of marine as well as terrestrial archaeological remains.
- Comprehensive and sustainable management of the coastal archaeological resource will be best achieved through effective integration of archaeological interests within wider Coastal Zone Management initiatives
- Where economic development in the coastal zone is likely to impact on important archaeological remains, decisions should be taken with regard to the best available information and the precautionary approach should be adopted wherever possible
The general recommendations made in the report were principally concerned with the implications for the coastal resource of the various planning and management initiatives established for inland sites. The coastal environment, perhaps because of its liminal position, is not covered by the Town and Country planning system. In spite of this, the report recommended that the principles set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 16; archaeology and planning should be applied to the treatment of sub-tidal archaeological remains as the most effective way of securing best practice. In order to promote this approach, appropriate consultation procedures should be established to regulate works which will have an impact on archaeological and palaeoenvironmental remains. The concern for such remains will also be promoted by English Heritage and the RCHME through their direct contacts with relevant authorities and agencies as well as through the Coastal Forum.
At present only the National Monuments Record (NMR) and a small number of local Sites and Monuments Records (SMR) can provide integrated data on the archaeological remains in the coastal and sub-tidal zones. It is seen as an important priority that the ability of coastal SMRs be enhanced in order that they can offer expert advice based upon reliable records. This will require an active policy on the part of both English Heritage and the RCHME.
Themes in coastal archaeology.
Eight broad themes were identified as being of particular concern with regard to research priorities and the continued development of the record of coastal archaeology. These themes are:
- Palaeo-environments and the creation of the coastal landscape. This broad subject includes the distribution and condition of submerged land surfaces, the cultural and environmental evidence surviving in the remains of submerged forests and peat, sea level change, shoreline evolution and chronology.
- Historic management of the coastal landscape. The history of coastal works and flood defences and the exploitation of alluvial coastal wetlands.
- Coastal settlement. Particular issues of relevance to the coastal settlements include the relationships between settlements and contemporary coastlines, the implications of coastline change and the origins and development of modern coastal settlements.
- Coastal trade, transport and communication. The development of smaller ports and harbours and the distribution, location and condition of vessel hulks in the inter-tidal zone are seen to be of particular importance with regard to this theme.
- Coastal industry. The development of, and surviving evidence for, uniquely coastal industries such as shipbuilding.
- The exploitation of marine resources. The development of, and surviving evidence for, the exploitation of unique resources including fishing and salt extraction. This theme also has implications for the understanding of changes to coastal vegetation and the sedimentary environment.
- Major ports, harbours and military installations. Although outside the scope of the report (and the subject of specific initiatives by English Heritage and other agencies), such developments have had a profound effect on the coastal regions and require careful attention. Their importance highlights the need to integrate the results of complementary but separate management initiatives.
- Dendrochronology. The presence of considerable quantities of well preserved timbers, often of substantial size offers the opportunity to add to the chronologies established from inland sites and the development of sequences from species other than oak.
In addition to the broad themes outlined above, certain areas of particularly high archaeological potential were identified during the survey. These are shown on the accompanying map. This should not be restrictive however; the extremely limited amount of research carried out to date means that most coastal areas are rich in potential and would benefit from systematic investigation,
Map showing areas of high archaeological potential. Key :- 1. Solway Firth. 16.Chichester Harbour and Langstone Harbour. 2. Morcambe Bay. 17.Selsey Bill. 3. Wyre Estuary. 18. Pevensey - Pett Levels. 4. Ribble Estuary. 19. Romney Marsh. 5. Mersey Estuary. 20. North Kent Coast. 6. Dee Estuary. 21. Thames Estuary. 7. Severn Estuary. 22. Essex Estuaries. 8. Taw Torride Estuary. 23. Suffolk Coast. 9. Camel Estuary. 24. Norfolk Coast 10. Fal Estuary. 25. The Wash. 11. Tamar - Plymouth Sound. 26. Lincolnshire Coast. 12. Exe Estuary. 27. Humber Basin. 13. Poole Harbour. 28. North East Coast. 14. Southampton Water. 29. Tees Estuary. 15. The Solent. 30. Tweed Estuary.
The impact of sea level and coastline change
Planning Policy Guidance note 20: coastal planning encourages local authorities to gather data which illustrate the nature, scale and pace of change within the coastal zone. Steps should be taken to ensure that archaeological evidence is fully assimilated into the resulting predictive studies of coastal change and closer collaboration between archaeologists and sea level researchers should be promoted in order to obtain and summarize data. Areas of known archaeological potential should be monitored with regard to the rate and nature of coastal change (erosion and alluvial accumulation) and the impact of such processes on the archaeological remains assessed. Such research should inform and assist in the identification of options for mitigation and in situ conservation. Other strands of research should address the behaviour of archaeological material once it has been released from its matrix in the coastal zone in order that the context of isolated finds can be better understood.
Survey methodology
The need for a rapid and cost effective enhancement of the coastal archaeological record should entail the assessment of appropriate survey and data collection methodologies. The use of targeted reconnaissance flights in areas of high archaeological potential has been shown to be an effective and cost-efficient means of discovering and recording archaeological sites and features. The National Mapping Programme undertaken by the RCHME has been very successful in using existing collections of photographs in the investigation of coastal environments.
Nine principal recommendations emerged from the survey regarding the management of the coastal resource. These concerned the areas of:
- Coastal defence
- Coastal zone land and environmental management
- Nature conservation
- Development control and environmental assessment
- Harbours
- Mineral extraction and exploitation
- Oil and gas exploitation
- Proprietary interests
- Tourism, access, education and recreation
In each of these areas of concern the survey concluded that it was a matter of priority to bring the consideration of archaeological sites and research issues within the planning and management systems. Local authorities were urged to consider archaeological aspects of the environment when evaluating plans for the construction or renewal of sea defences, plans related to the exploitation of oil, gas and marine mineral resources, the extension or construction of harbours, marinas, ports and small dockyards and the intentions of landowners with regard to archaeological sites within the boundaries of their properties. Where necessary, existing legal powers should be used to protect the archaeological resource. Collaboration with environmental protection agencies (notably English Nature) in the formulation of plans to protect both archaeological and ecological resources was recommended and the potential for recreational and educational developments was stressed.
English Heritage 1996, England's coastal heritage. A statement on the management of coastal archaeology. English Heritage and The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England.
Fulford, M. Champion, T. and Long, A. in press. England's Coastal Heritage: a survey for English Heritage and RCHME. English Heritage and The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
