A ‘Maritime and Marine Historic Environment Research Framework’ for England.

Over the next year, the Centre of Maritime Archaeology at the University of Southampton will be developing of a research framework for the maritime, marine and coastal archaeology of England for English Heritage.

The framework will set out a review of previous research and a agreed list of priority research areas. Importantly, these will shape long-term planning by Government and funding bodies, and should help all researchers plan, and get funding for, future projects. This is our chance to set the agenda – and your chance to have your say. For, if the framework is going to be successful, it is essential that all those involved in the maritime, marine or coastal archaeology of England, from the academic, commercial and voluntary sectors, get involved in outlining the work we’ve already done and what we want to do in the future.

Developing a Resource Assessment and Research Agenda

By next summer, we will produce a review of the past research (the resource assessment), outlining the gaps and strengths in the work done so far, and a list of future research topics (the research agenda). These will be drafted by working groups, made up of five or six researchers (professional and avocational) and two chairs. Once complete they will go online for everyone to comment on, and in addition a group of ‘critical friends’ (experts and practitioners in each field) will comment in detail on them.

Working Groups & Chairs:

Palaeolithic Prof Geoff Bailey & Dr Kieran Westley
Mesolithic Prof Martin Bell & Dr Graeme Warren
Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Dr Fraser Sturt & Prof Robert van de Noort
Late Bronze Age and Iron Age Dr Jeremy Hill & Dr Steve Willis
Roman Gustav Milne, Dr Mick Walsh & Dr Pete Wilson
Anglo-Saxon Prof Martin Carver & Dr Chris Lovelock
Medieval Dr Jon Adams & Dr Joe Flatman
Post-Medieval Kevin Camidge & Dr Virginia Dellino-Musgrave
20th Century Dave Parham & Mark Beattie-Edwards
Methods, Technologies, Visualisation and Dissemination Dr Justin Dix & John Gribble
Archaeological Archives and Collections Julie Satchell & Duncan Brown

Key Project Dates and Getting Involved

A workshop will be held on July 9th-10th for the members of working groups to get the project started. Then in the new year resource assessments drafted by each group will go online for public consultation. Finally, there will be a project conference in April 2010 to present the review and let everyone contribute to the research agenda.

If you are interested in being a working group member or critical friend, or want updates on consultations or the project conference, please check out the project webpages or email Jesse Ransley